Very busy in Vorzel.

Well, I finally was able to get the internet at the room and translate my Blog into English! It's amazing how fast one can get frustrated when you can't get into your blog or email!! We have had three amazing days at VOrzel! On Sunday, we went to Vorzel with Ivanna's perents and brother and had an enjoyable visit with them! They love her so much and want her to have a life in America where she can get the services she needs! Today got there by 11:00 and didn't leave until after 7:00. We met with Sasha and Olya from Almaz Church who have helped us through their mission, achieve our mission! As a treat to for the careworkers they arranged for JoAnn to do their hair! JoAnn has done the hair of at least 30 woman in two days! That's cuts, color and highlights! She has softened the hard shell of the careworkers and has really made a difference in their relationship. These woman are remarkable and truly care for the children!!!She has had the assistance of a young woman, Nadia to translate ! They were 'partying " with leis on and gave us champagne and chocolates! (Yumm!) This may have been the biggest thing that has ever happened for these woman. They were so grateful. JoAnn continually reminded them that she was doing this to Thank them for taking care of the children!I will tell you more and send photos in future updates.
While JoAnn cut hair I 'helped' myself to the children! Yesterday, I spent the day in Groupa House 1 with Igor/Ivan, Ivanna and Leeza along with Misha, Mikey, and Timothy. The workers allowed me to interact with the children and even filmed me with them when I gave them my camera! These are the same women who escorted me to the office last year! Leeza and Ivanna were transferred to Groupa House 1 from 3 and Ivan/Igor from House 4 and they have blossomed! Ivanna and Leeza are both repeating words and saying some words spontaneously.They can both do the actions for simple Russian Children's songs when sung by the workers and try to sing along! They are so proud of themselves! They look so much better too, healthy, longer hair, less scrathes and abrasions! Both girls can follow simple one step directions in Russian. I taught the three of them how to play Ring Around the Rosie and they LOVED it! I even had the careworkers doing it too! Once I stopped they continued to do it themselves and I heard lots of words, especially "FALL DOWN"! So the girls are verbal and should take off once in a language enriched, loving environment!!Leeza held onto her book and pillow, looking at the pictues, repeating Mama, Papa!But she was so sweet and shared the album with Ivanna and Sasha. He's a little guy who is verbal, hydrocephalic but not signed off yet by his parents. Ivan/Igor runs Groupa House 1. He is SOOO verbal, some echolalia but lots of spontnaeous speech. He sings songs, recites poetry and gives everyone a quick back massage when requested! He uses all the workers and children's names, and learned mine rather quickly.I was amazed at his progress from last year! The children in this House have no toys to play with, despite a room full of educational toys locked behind a pink door! Supposively this is where the teacher works with them 1 on 1. The entire situation got me very annoyed and really upset me so I'll tell you all about that later. The saddest thing in that House is that three children were transferred to the Internat: red headed Ruslan, Katya and Vova. These children were never released for adoption by their parents! Little Misha is pathetic, pale and in a brace for hip dysplasia. Please pray for him, he looks like he will be leaving us soon! Vladik is still there, a little stronger, but still needs surgery.
I found a boy lying in a stroller who has severe cerebral palsy and microcephaly whose mother and grandmother are rasing him and drop him off there for babysitting! He was too big for the strolller so I was able to position him in a chair donated from Dave Dalton and his group from Virginia last week. Isn't that wonderful! One hand sows the seed....
When his grandmother saw him positioned in the chair she asked if she could buy it. So look around, I need to get them a chair for home!!Send me pics if you have one,so I can get the right one! I'll figure out how to get it to him! The careworkers and Doctor assisted in adjusting the chair for him so they had hands on training. They never saw anything like it and were so happy to have an upright position for Jana!
I even met the orthopedist who thought I was a doctor and explained the conditions of each child! When he asked me my techniques on 'nerve repositioning" after tendon release I explained that I was 'only a teacher' but will get his surgical information from USA! They use Botox injections and do surgery only on the children who they think are 'candidates' for it based on 'potential'.
Today we were in Groupa House 5 where Milena and Lillia were raised! Again we were welcomed with outstretched arms and smiling Groupa workers lined up with a schedule ready! As JoAnn cut hair, I showed a slide presentation on her girls at school. The Doctor was especially interested in HOW they learn and their functioning in the communitiy. I shared pictures of my daughter and we discussed how America deinstitutionalized in the 70's and built in the supports for the family! The workers all agreeded that he children would be better at home and I was approached by a worker who has stayed in touch with a family that took their DS child home! In addition, there are two other 2 year olds with DS there whose parents visit them weekly and also are considering taking them home!!Isn't that wonderful! Hopefully tomorrow those parents will come to meet me for strategies and support!
So, I spent a lot of time with Masha and Angelica in the afternoon! And may have five other children without DS who are available also! Both girls are doing so much better than last year! And wear 18-24 month size clothing. We had so much fun playing RIng around the Rosie and imitating the gestures to songs such as "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands..." and Head Shoulders, knees and toes". They are both imitating gestures and following simple directions. They are HAPPY and HEALTHY and BEAUTIFUL and I couldn't hug them enough!! I kept telling them that they have Mama's and Papa's. Angelica kissed the pictures in her book and they both blew kisses and waved 'hi'. This entire experieince has been so awesome for me and I know that God has directed me to do more! Anya is now standing and imitated arms up and clapping! She is lower functioning but is interactive and I did get her to laugh and smile! Tomorrow I will bring her DJ's Rifton Walker and see how she does with it!
And tonight I got a worker in Groupa House 2 to bring PEACHES to the window for me to see! She is more beautiful than her picture if you could imagine! And she looked very healthy too!!Now hopefully, we will get into this House tomorrow!!!
I have been disappointed as RUSLAN is still at a specialized medical theapy center recupperating from surgery. I will be meeting with the doctor/psychologist who evaluated him for his family and will see if he can take me to see him.
I have so much to tell everyone about their children and once home you can call me. I am so tired now. JoAnn is fast asleep but I will to attach some photos!Please be patient with me as I am so technology challenged. Next trip I need to bring a tech expert along!!!