A child like Katie who had been better cared for in the baby house, and had been transferred to one of the better older child institutions would most likely look a whole lot more like Ahnja: http://godsrainbowsinourlives.blogspot.com/2012/02/ahnja-day-1.html

After Katie aged out of that older child institution, she would have ended up in an adult mental institution. Our attorney Toni said the Pleven baby house reminded her of the adult mental institutions she’s visited in Bulgaria, institutions where small children wander the halls with 25-year-olds living skeletons with hollow eyes. This happens because in reality, the process doesn’t work like clockwork, and the ages at which children are transferred is variable. Children as young as three years old have been transferred directly from their baby house to an adult mental institution. Yes. It is true. Can you see why there is such an urgency inside those of us who have been there and SEEN the little children for ourselves?

The former director of the Pleven baby house and her cohorts were benefiting from keeping the children as much like babies as possible, so that the children and their stipend from the government would stay rather than be transferred. The orphanage staff could maintain lots of children at very little expense and benefit themselves in the process.

The appropriate Bulgarian governmental agencies were shocked and furious as they learned the truth, and they are now taking the necessary steps to protect the basic human rights of the children who are still in the orphanage. The healthiest children over the age of three have been moved to better situations, and no new children have been sent to Pleven, so the numbers of children are greatly reduced from the time we were there just months ago.

My stomach feels shaky every time I explain all this, because to me it isn’t some news item distant from reality. These are precious, utterly helpless human lives whom I SAW. One of the most badly damaged children lives in my house as my daughter, and every day I see the effect of that damage.

But I want to go on public record as saying that I am not personally angry at the director or other staff who were responsible for the damage to Katie and the other children. My anger flares up hot when I think about how vulnerable little ones with special needs are treated like refuse all over EE, but I do not hold anger or hatred in my heart for the perpetrators. Any one of us is capable of grievous sin, unbelievable selfishness, at the drop of a hat, and we each answer individually to a just and holy God who hates sin. There is no way any paltry “good deeds” I could come up with would ever make up for my sin. How grateful I am that I am not being treated according to what my sins deserve. God has been SO merciful to me, and to our family, and I pray that He will likewise be merciful to those who are responsible for neglecting and mistreating little children. How terrifying to think of facing the judgment without the protective covering of the grace of God.

May He have mercy on them and change their hearts before it’s too late.

And I love thelast few pictures where Katie has a round belly without ribs showing!!  

And I love that her cognitive delays are shrinking! 

I love pretty much everything about this post…except Verity’s unhappy face!  (although even a sad face is cute on her)  :)   

I have to ask, have trolls been harassing you about putting Katie’s pictures up? I can’t imagine why anyone would have an issue with you showing pictures of your own daughter, especially when her condition in said pictures points to a serious humanitarian crisis…

Thank you for sharing these pictures. They truly are worth a thousand words…

Susan in Ky
Cousin to 2 from EE    

It’s amazing to me how much Katie is growing in her height and bone length.  I believe there are other children that have had very little bone browth without growth hormone, after significant less time in conditions of extreme deprivation.  Does she get growth hormone?  (You don’t have to answer.)

I can’t wait for the days that they both walk independently!

Also, I need to know about the “mental illness” restrictions.  I was treated for a short period of time for depression (while caring for my father on hospice).  Other than that, my husband and I have no personal history of mental illness.  However, my mother in law has bipolar disorder and lives with us so that we can take care of her.  Do you know what the restrictions and exceptions are??

Thank you so much for any help in advance!

Your blog is a blessing to me and you are an inspiration. 

You and Joe have such lovely children Susanna!  Happy Mother’s Day again!

Thank you for being willing to be God’s hands & feet, for welcoming little Katie into your family and for sharing the blessings in your life with us.

Praying that the article and your testimony will touch people’s hearts and many more children will find families!     

I also want to mention my favorite bit of the article – when you told the doctors there was nothing remarkable about what you were doing – if only I could count the number of times I’ve said similar words with respect to my dear borrowed kids.  ”You’re so amazing, I could never do what you do, they’re so lucky to have you…” on and on and on.  And I just look at them and think… at what point could I have made a different choice?  At what point could I have turned away from children who needed me and been okay with that?  I haven’t done anything extraordinary at all.  Those “choices” I made… were never really choices at all.  

You are a humble servant of the Lord, and I think He is pleased with you.  Thank you and your family for letting His light shine through you. 

Much love to all your family,
Marie