Preparing for the conference

Well, anyone who knows me, knows that I am the master procrastinator! So nothing is new in my preparation for the conference!  When you've been teaching and consulting in the field of Early Intervention for over 35 years, like I have, you know your subject material. However, presenting it , complete with Power Points and Handouts, all needing to be translated into Russian ahead of time,  can be overwhelming! Couple that with not being able to use examples from your current classroom, and not having a clue how to insert pictures and Youtube videos into a Power Point and you could imagine how "s t r e t c h e d " I feel.
I have been overwhelmed also by the generosity of complete strangers who have sent me toys, store cash cards, videos and pictures of their children to use and share for training puposes. I have multiple pieces of equipment to bring for Vorzel's Early Intervention Therapy Room and some specific children. I have received the generous donations of a child's treadmill and a Rifton Standing Table as well as Gait Trainers and walkers! As I am traveling a few days ahead of the other presenters I haven't a clue HOW I'll ever manage to get it all there on my own! Since my knee is bothering me, I may just use the largest walker for myself as I board the plane! Most importantly, I want to get the toys to the children! I am excited that I am also able to deliver to Anya and Hamilton, gifts from their Forever Families and share with the staff pictures and gifts from some of the other children who were adopted from Vorzel this past year! It's going to be a busy week for our Team as we prepare for the conference, visit with friends, and travel to Vorzel and Znamenka to visit a Level Four Orphanage! We also received an invitation to consult at another one who has had closed doors up to now! So, I ask you all for your prayers as we prepare to do what we can to make a difference! Please feel free to contact me via email or facebook if you want to know how you can be involved, or have any pictures and updates your children to pass on!

Bruce Carroll - Sometimes Miracles Hide

Reece's Rainbow

Reece's Rainbow

Exciting opportunity to present a conference in KIEV!

I am happy to announce that I will be joining the Daulton's from a Father's Heart, Inc. on a joint project/mission to present a conference in Kiev on Intervention Strateties for Children with Down Syndrome! The conference will be held in Kiev, January 21 and 22, 2011 and will be intended to dispel myths about Down Syndrome and to educate and enlighten parents, orphanage workers, volunteers, and medical personnel on how to work with these children to help them develop to their fullest potential and to demonstrate that these children have value!! We want to instill hope in parents who want to keep their children and raise them at home. Currently less than 1% of parents in Ukraine who have a child with DS ever bring them home from the hospital, and our goal through God's help, is to change the number and change the way the Ukrainian culture views persons with disabilities, The Daulton's will be bringing their Anya to show what a child with DS from the Ukraine can accomplish. We will also be bringing therapy equipment donated for the orphans. I wll be presenting on Early Intervention techniques and consulting individually with families regarding their child's development. My focus will also extend beyond children with Down Syndrome and address any child with a developmental difference.

We are seeking prayer and financial support  to cover our costs of travel, food, housing and interpreters. Additional funds are necessary to pay for the airline's fees for the equipment and supplies we are bringing

YOU CAN JOIN US ON THIS MISSION and help us achieve our goal even if you can't physically join us!

I am accepting donations of equipment and materials for the children and families. I discovered that so many of the children have never even seen themselves in a mirror and would love to put a child proof toy with a mirror in every crib! I need musical and action toys that DO NOT REQUIRE batteries and some action toys such as the laughing stuffed animal AND BATTERIES!  I am also hoping that you will share your child's journey through photos, and videos! Put together a little video clip of your child doing all the wonderful things that they can do and send it to me! If you have pictures of your child in therapy or in the community such as Church, dance class, etc. please send me them so I can share them. Share YOUR child's story with me so I can share it with them! This is an easy way YOU CAN BECOME involved and make a difference! Here's an opportunity for you to show off your child doing what they do best!!!

 I can talk til I'm green in the face (and anyone who knows me will vouch for that!) but your child will be able to say it better than I ever will! Please contact me directly through email (sanflan@ptd.net)  or through Facebook for more information and an adddress to send your donations. Checks can be written out to Father's Heart which is a 501.3(c) charitable organization so your donation could be tax free. Please consider sending a donation and committing to pray for us on this trip!

Get your UAC Ukraine holiday cards! | www.uacukrainerelief.org

Get your UAC Ukraine holiday cards! www.uacukrainerelief.org

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URPGENT HELP NEEDED NOW!!
This has been copied from another blog, and had been copied from another blog!! If you care about the helpless orphans and want to help please read this!

Even if you don't feel the call to adopt, you can get involved in orphan care. And here's a simple way to get involved today...

By now, most of you have probably heard about the decision in Ukraine to go forward with a vote to halt international adoption until an inter-country agreement is in place. Please take a moment to write to your senators & congressmen, then encourage your friends and family to contact do the same!

Below you'll find a letter that you can use, or write your own.

To send a letter to your congressman:

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

To send a letter to your senator just click on the state and follow the link:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm


Please help us get the word out!!

________________________________________________________





Dear (name),





I am writing to you today regarding a VERY urgent situation. Many families in the US are currently in the process of adopting children from orphanages in Ukraine. Most of these children are older or disabled. American families adopting these children offer them what may be their only opportunity at a normal and productive life free of crime, prostitution, or institutionalization due to illnesses that are treatable in the United States. I personally know one of these families.

On November 3, 2010, the Ukrainian parliament voted to proceed with voting on legislation that would halt all international adoptions until inter-country adoption agreements are in place (see the State Dept. announcement at http://adoption.state.gov/news/ukraine.html) . At this point, all that is needed for this to become law is one more vote in Ukrainian parliament and a signature by the Ukrainian president. This could happen any day. If it does, many families and innocent children will be greatly affected. I personally know one of these families.

I am writing to you to urge you to act quickly on this matter by 1. Contacting your Ukrainian cohorts and requesting a consideration of revision of the law to allow adoptions to proceed while the agreement is being drafted (as was done in Russia) and 2. Work with your colleagues in congress to begin drafting this agreement so that it is ready to go in the event the law passes.

Thank you for your timely consideration of this urgent matter!

Please take the time to write these letters. Please forward this to all your friends and families. Post on facebook or twitter or wherever else people may read it and help out.

You CAN do something!! Please help, spread the word, post this to your blog, write letters, and help the government see how important this is!!!