CHINA :: Surprise, surprise, surprise!

Charlet!

Surprises are so much fun! 

Little did we know that the silken red thread of destiny would surprise our team by re-connecting us with a beautiful little girl that we had supported during her foster care in China. Little DXX—who isn't so little anymore—is now settled in with a loving family in the United States who affectionately calls her Charlet. 

What's more? Charlet is sister to Laila, the little one that we recently helped get a micro-wheelchair. Coincidence? We think not! It's just that red thread doing it's business in our lives.

Here's an update on Charlet from her mom, Joslynn. We couldn't be happier that she is with this amazing family and growing up quickly.

Charlet (left) and Laila with their braces

Since bringing her home in December of 2013, we have watched Charlet blossom into a happy-go-lucky, spunky little girl. Charlet has been through many “base-line” tests to mark her medical status and the doctors have been amazed at her health and mobility as a child who suffers from spina bifida. When we tell the doctors of her spine and shunt placement surgery at one month old, they are speechless to explain how she could have survived, as most doctors in the U.S. do these two surgeries separately and at an age much more than one month. There are many things medically that “should” be wrong with Charlet, but they just simply don’t exist. She attends physical therapy once a week to strengthen her body and to help her walk. When we brought her home at 2 years old, she could “cruise” but not walk and she could not stand for long periods. Charlet also recently received braces for her legs to help straighten her gait and keep her joints safe from improper movement. She is now walking independently and her strength and endurance are improving everyday. 

Our greatest efforts for Charlet have been emotional. Charlet was abandoned at one day old, and though she was in a very loving group foster home, she has simply never experienced bonding with a mother and an unchanging family. She quickly accepted Jason as her big Papa Bear. She loves to cuddle with him and be carried around everywhere. You don’t realize when you adopt the things you will have to “teach” this child that simply come as a natural part of development when you are raising your biological children. We had to teach Charlet how to enjoy and not fear play, especially outdoors. Grass and swings were things of great torment in her early months, but it is such a sweet sound to hear her adorable belly laugh now as she swings. When indoors, and if left to her own devices, for many months she would simply sit and stare at us as we moved around a room, with no idea how to “play” by herself. She required our engagement, and even then, she often didn’t know how to interact. Charlet actually really enjoys her solitary time now and I love watching her sing and play with her dolls peacefully with no fear or painful stares in my direction.  

Charlet loves her big sister, Laila (3.5), and her really big brother, Steven (14). Laila and Charlet were adopted on the same day and they bonded quickly. They easily fall into their respective big sister/little sister roles. Charlet is a wonderful helper to her immobile big sister, often bringing her toys or helping her get things that are too heavy. Charlet and Laila are the predictably ornery little sisters who love to bug their big brother. But there is nothing more beautiful than seeing all three of my children cuddling on the couch or playing together on the floor. Charlet’s addition to our family has been an amazing blessing. Her early transition has been quite difficult for our whole family, but she is finally settling in, trusting the family she has been given, and knowing that we are hers forever!

Charlet (left) and Laila

CHINA :: 2-years-old and ready to take on the world with your help!

Meet our newest little friend from China! 

WXR is an adorable 2-year-old with a sweet personality - she's a charmer for sure with that smile! Thankfully, she has already received surgery for spina bifida and serial casting of her club foot and is doing well in the hands of our partners at Swallows Nest! Sadly, it appears that she may be incontinent as she came back from Shanghai with a horrible irritated bottom. The Red Thread has sent funding for her medicine as well as her follow up care. 

Please help us support WXR by making a donation in her honor to our China program (click on the PayPal button - donations are accepted via PayPal but you don't need a PayPal account). We hope and pray that she finds her forever home quickly. 

Who wouldn't want to hug on this baby for years and years?

CHINA :: Baby XX update

Baby XX, May 2012

Will you look at how Baby XX is growing! We received some new photos of her from Swallows Nest and have heard that she is doing well. As you know, she already received her surgery to treat her spina bifida and The Red Thread is supporting her post-surgical care. 

We are unsure if she has been placed on the adoption list yet, but we do know one thing for sure: your support of this beautiful child has made a significant impact on her life. For this, we thank you.

We will be supporting Baby XX until she is matched with a family, a process that could take 2 years or more. She will require frequent doctor's visits and other specialized care as she recovers from surgery and moves forward in a better state of health. If you would like to be a part of Baby XX's life, please send your tax deductible donation for her treatment and care to:

The Red Thread Promise

20 Brookfield Avenue

Glen Rock, NJ 07452

Or, simply click on the PayPal link on the right sidebar and make a donation in her name. 

CHINA :: A face every Mother will love, on Mother's Day and beyond

Oh, will you look at that face! With plump cheeks, soft spiky hair and a smashing smile, this is the face of a post-surgical child who is thriving! We are so grateful to be a part of her life and care and invite you to honor your own Mother by helping us support Baby XX.

Instead of flowers or candy, why not help us support this darling little girl in Mom's name this Mother's Day? For $125 per month, together we can provide for Baby XX's nanny as well as her medical needs, food and clothing. We'll gladly send a card to Mom explaining how your donation is helping this little girl following her spina bifida surgery. 

If you are interested in supporting Baby XX, donations in any amount can be made online through our PayPal link in the right sidebar or sent via check to:
The Red Thread Promise
20 Brookfield Avenue
Glen Rock, NJ 07452

Be sure to write Mother's Day / Baby XX in the memo line. Provide Mom's name and address and we'll send her a card to commemorate your generosity.

With your help, we can make a difference in the life of this beautiful child and others like her forever.

CHINA :: Another blessing

Baby JH in May, 2011

Meet Baby JH. This little guy came to Swallow's Nest in May of 2011 with Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome—a condition closely linked to spina bifida—a neurological disorder caused by tissue attachments that limit the movement of the spinal cord within the spinal column (from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke). Again, Swallow's Nest was able to provide swift surgery for JH and the prognosis is good!

Lili, Baby JH's caregiver, says that he is a shy boy but is beginning to crawl and stand alone. He gets along with the other children and is a good eater. (And might we add that he is adorable?!)

Lili holding JH, March 2012

The Red Thread Promise is sponsoring Baby JH's care until he is matched with his forever family. His file is currently being prepared for adoption. $175 per month will cover his nanny and foster care, clothing, food and some medical care. 

If you are interested in supporting JH during his time in China or would like more information about his adoption, please contact kathy@redthreadpromise.org.

CHINA :: Ready for winter!

With winter just around the corner, we are ramping up our fundraising efforts so we are ready to support our next special needs child in China as soon as he or she "walks" through that proverbial door.
Why is winter such a concern? Hand-in-hand with the harsh temperatures of November through March often comes pneumonia, one of the greatest health concerns for these already at-risk infants. The little ones that we serve already have severly compromised health when they are brought to our attention and become "Red Thread kids".

Babies with serious birth defects such as myelomeningocele (the most severe form of spina bifida when the spinal cord is exposed through an opening in the spine) and other critical conditions need surgery within days of birth. These procedures leave their tiny bodies weakened and extremely susceptible to pneumonia and other secondary complications that are often as life-threatening as the original abnormality.
We take winters in China seriously and make every effort to have the funds available so that when a child needs swift intervention, they can get the treatment necessary and are in an environment that keeps them warm and safe, thus reducing their risk of complications. When even one baby dies from a birth defect or complications from surgery, it is one too many.
With your help, we can and will be ready to tackle winter head-on and make a difference in as many children's lives as possible. Thank you for your support.

CHINA :: ORPHAN UPDATE - Yin Xi, part 2

Please keep Yin Xi in your thoughts and prayers. We just found out that he was admitted to the ICU yesterday with meningitis. They suspect it is viral because the IV therapy that he received last week should have killed nearly anything. This complication will affect his surgery date. But it is certainly better to wait until he is 100% well before doing such an invasive procedure.

Also on our minds today are the 35 other babies and toddlers as well as their caregivers at Swallows Nest. The weather has already changed in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, and is much colder. The heat in the building is regulated by the city and the "turn on" date isn't for a few more weeks. So they bundle the babies up and use space heaters but it is still cold, thus increasing the chance for sickness and pneumonia.

CHINA :: ORPHAN UPDATE - Yin Xi

Little Yin Xi is now 5 weeks old and gaining much needed weight in preparation for his upcoming spina bifida surgery. Unfortunately, harsh winters can take a toll on these fragile children.

Since our last update, Yin Xi developed pneumonia and was admitted to the hospital on October 30th. He has since been released into the care of Swallows Nest where, under the doctor's direction, they administer his medications and give him the love and affection needed for his full recovery. Thankfully, all pre-surgical testing is complete and now we wait for his health to stabilize so we can proceed.

According to Swallows Nest, he is eating well again but cries alot and appears uncomfortable. He will be taken back to the hospital on Wednesday but his caregivers are unsure if he will be well enough to admit and receive the procedure. We will keep you updated on his health and progress.

To date, The Red Thread Promise has raised and sent $2,000 toward his surgery (total cost is $5,000). Although we have not yet reached the full amount, having given nearly half will help Swallows Nest in their efforts to secure additional funding. Every little bit counts.

In late October 2010, a post-surgical 18 month old from Swallows Nest was adopted. We are hopeful with this early intervention, Yin Xi will also be so fortunate. Next year we want to give you an update that he has gone to his forever family all because of your generosity - all because you cared about the health of a baby you will probably never meet.

We encourage you to prayerfully consider support Yin Xi by making a donation to The Red Thread Promise. Simply put "Yin Xi" or alternately "China baby" in the memo line of your check or PayPal.

CHINA :: The Spina Bifida Challenge

Lu Yuan, September, 2010

We are happy to share the latest photos of Lu Yuan from Swallow's Nest Children's Home in China. He is growing rapidly and developing well following the spina bifida surgery that The Red Thread Promise provided for him in fall of 2009.

As our chapter closes with Lu Yuan, a new chapter is revealed – another beautiful Chinese baby has grasped the red thread of destiny, bringing us together.

His name is Yin Xi (pronounced yin shi) and he is only 2 weeks old. He was brought to Swallows Nest Children's Home on September 30, 2010, weighs 4 kg and appears strong. He is a bit fussy and loud, which gives us hope that he is a fighter, a desirable trait in a child with this serious condition.

Yin Xi, September 28, 2010

Yin Xi also needs surgery to address his spina bifida, a birth defect where part of the spinal cord is outside the body in a sac. Spina bifida occurs at the end of the first month of pregnancy when the two sides of the embryo's spine fail to join together, leaving an open area. In some cases, the spinal cord or other membranes may push through this opening in the back. This condition ranges from little or no disability to full paralysis and inability to use the legs.

The surgery costs $5,000 USD. The Red Thread Promise has agreed to help provide this life-changing surgery for Yin Xi. Being in a better state of health is a gift that he will have for the rest of his life and will greatly increase his chances of being adopted.

Due to the fact that his sac is open and a source of infection, Swallows Nest would like to schedule the surgery in approximately 3 weeks. Thankfully, the caregivers at Swallows Nest have experience with spina bifida babies and we are confident in their ability to use universal precautions to prevent infection and other complications. In addition, they would like to get him to Shanghai for surgery before the cold weather sets in and there are increased chances of cold and flu which may result in pneumonia.

Our Challenge

In response to this short time frame, The Red Thread Promise will match up to $2,000 for any funds raised for Yin Xi between now and October 14th. That's two weeks to find others who share in our passion for the health of children who have no one to advocate for them.

If you would like to support Yin Xi and children like him, please click on the donate button on the right side or send a check to the address at the top. Please mark your donation spina bifida so we know which funds are being matched through the challenge.

Thank you for any support you are able to provide.

CHINA :: ORPHAN UPDATE - Zheng Lu Yuan, part 2

Here is a little more information about Lu Yuan from Swallow's Nest. According to Pam "he has a happy smile and is very outgoing. He loves to hold hands with a little Down's syndrome girl named Jia Yu. They are so cute sitting in their bouncy chairs together! He eats well and sleeps through the night."

Wt. 7.4 kg

Ht. 65 cm

Chest 45 cm

Waist 48 cm

Foot 8 cm

2 teeth

If you are interested in learning more about this beautiful baby, please contact CCAI.

CHINA :: ORPHAN UPDATE - Zheng Lu Yuan

We are excited to learn that Lu Yuan's orphanage has asked Swallow's Nest to prepare his paperwork for adoption! Thanks to all of our supporters for helping this child to receive the surgery necessary to bring him to a better state of health. His name is finally being added to the list of children available for adoption in China. He is being treated for a chronic yeast infection, but is otherwise in good health.

Our work together does indeed make a difference!

Please let us know if you or anyone you know is interested in more information about Zheng Lu Yuan. He is beginning his search for his forever family.

CHINA :: The Chinese Spina Bifida Project

We are delighted to announce that Global Giving has accepted two of our new projects into its fundraising website! Tomorrow (Tuesday, March 16th) happens to be 30% MATCH Day at Global Giving, so your donation will work extra hard.

Swallow's Nest: The Chinese Spina Bifida Project: http://www.globalgiving.org/dy/v2/content/search.html?q=5025 or type in "Project 5025" at the Global Giving site. A Chinese orphanage run by an American woman expects six spina bifida patients this year. Two prior patients have already been featured on our Red Thread Promise blog. There is absolutely no money for the surgery that these children need. For $5000, each child can have life-altering surgery. Again, tomorrow (March 16), Global Giving will MATCH 30% of the donations we collect.