Today is all about one. One precious boy who has never known the love of a family. A lonely boy who sits waiting each and every day for someone to come for him, but nobody ever does. One boy who has been defined by the rare genetic condition he was born with. A condition which has left him different than all the other boys and girls waiting for families. Aren’t we all “different”? Don’t we all have imperfections? Yes! But does that mean we don’t deserve love? Does that mean this precious boy doesn’t deserve love or a family? I think not!
Meet Owen, when his journey began…
Owen as a newborn.
He was seen as unworthy of love from the time of his birth.
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Months go by, and Owen is still waiting for a family.
Sweet baby Owen
He is just a baby. A sweet, snuggly little baby. Why has nobody chosen him?
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Owen became a toddler.
Toddler Owen
He plays and smiles like any other child his age. He has so much potential if only he is given the chance. His tiny little body aches for the hugs and kisses of a mommy and daddy who loves him, just like any other child. Yet he still waits.
Why hasn’t he been chosen yet? Are people too scared to adopt a boy who is so different? Are people afraid of him? This precious boy is surely deserving of the love and affection of a mom and dad, isn’t he? So what if he is different! Aren’t you different from me? So why is it that Owen doesn’t have love and doesn’t have a family because of how “different” he is?
This little boy wriggled his way into my heart while I was searching an adoption site (which I often do). When I stumbled onto a photo of Owen, and it had me in tears. I mean hysterical tears. Why? Because the adoption site had only one very sub par photo of him. I understand that for many of the children, the agency only gets one photo and that’s all, so they have no choice but to use it.
That photo portrayed him in a way that I just knew in my heart was not truly him. I was so heartbroken that this boy was not even being offered the tiniest of chances to have a family. I was outraged that this was the photo that the adoption agency was using. But again, maybe they had more photos to choose from? I don’t know. I only know that with this photo could potentially be the cause for the old “scroll past” for this precious child. I almost don’t want to show you all. But I feel I have to for full understanding to be attained. Here it is.
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I am so upset when I see this, I cannot even convey it properly! This was the very first photo I ever saw of Owen.
Through tears as I write this I think to myself, “How is this giving him a chance?” I have prayed and prayed for Owen. Owen has been on my heart for so long folks. This sweetheart is just a baby, not quite 5 years old. What if this were my child?
Then, yesterday as I scrolled through the many waiting children, I see the sweet a precious face I always knew existed! I saw this…
A happy, somewhat smiling boy waving to the camera! Oh praise God!!! The adoption site gave him a real chance! Now maybe his mom and dad will see what I see. Do you see? Do you? Can you see the promise in those eyes? Can you imagine how much bigger that smile could be? The giggles that could be heard if he were tickled? Oh my, I cannot express how much I pray this guy’s family will find him and bring him home!
While typing this, my 19 month old came to the computer. I wasn’t sure what she would think seeing Owen’s face. But you know what she did, she stared for a moment and then said “baby”. I replied, “Yes, that is a sweet baby.” She giggled for a moment while still staring. In my mind I am thinking to myself, “What does someone like my daughter, untainted by the world and it’s unrealistic standards, think when she sees someone like Owen?” Many kids would be afraid perhaps since they have been conditioned to think that imperfection is something to fear. As my daughter stares at this picture I tell her, “This baby’s name is Owen. Owen is a sweet boy.” What came out of her mouth I didn’t expect, she said, “Kiss!” So I helped her reach the monitor and she kissed Owen’s picture. She then said, “More Owen!” I scrolled through all the photos of him as she asked to kiss each one of them. She thought he was beautiful. The last thing she said really chokes me up. Very distinctly and clearly she said, “Owen, ocean, Owen, ocean.” Now maybe it was purely the rhyme she figured out? But maybe not. Maybe she she was saying Owen is beautiful like the ocean. Ari loves the ocean. I have not been able to get that out of my mind. Because it’s true – Owen is beautiful and strong just like the ocean. Leave it to my toddler to teach me something so deep and meaningful.
So… now I ask the inevitable question. What will you do to help get Owen’s story out there? Will you help this little boy to no longer be defined by his imperfections. Help his new mom and dad to see this face which God created, as their perfectly and wonderfully made SON.
You can go to the link below to see more about Owen. http://reecesrainbow.org/1585/owen-egxb-3
I will be re-posting this one now and then so that Owen really might have a chance! Will you do the same?
In Owen’s region, there are so many kids that have either already been transferred to a mental institution or will be shortly. Remember children who have Down Syndrome have an over 90% chance of dying in their first year in a mental institution. If they do not have Down Syndrome, they have an over 80% chance of death in the first year. Survival in these terrible places is not easy and essentially these kids are sentenced to death. Please keep that in mind as you read about each child.
Cora Lynne
Can you believe this tiny peanut is 5 1/2 years old? She has Down Syndrome which, in her region, makes her worthy of nothing more than to be thrown away into a mental institution for the rest of her life. Please click the link to learn more about Cora Lynne. http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=cora+lynne
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Archie
Archie is facing transfer to he mental institution soon. He is such a sweet boy, but he has Down Syndrome. Please read more about Archie and what a little love bug this guy is. http://reecesrainbow.org/32102/archie-3f
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Anastasia
This little bug is 6 years old! Like the other children, she looks like a baby. Sadly this is a product of the nutrient poor diet and neglect these children suffer. She has downs syndrome and is facing transfer soon. http://reecesrainbow.org/8068/anastasia-3g
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Abbott
Folks, sweet Abbott is 5 years old and has already been transferred. Nobody knows how he is doing, so his situation is dire! Please get his photo circulating! He has Down Syndrome so I fear the worst. Please click the link to read about what an amazing boy he is. http://reecesrainbow.org/8104/abbott-3g
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Tomas
Tomas was born in 2005 and has Down Syndrome. He is at risk of being transferred very soon. Look at his face. Does he deserve to die? http://reecesrainbow.org/8126/tomas-3g
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Orielle
Born in 2005 this sweet little round faced pumpkin is at risk for transfer soon! Poor sweetie could blossom in a family. She does not deserve an institution. http://reecesrainbow.org/?s=orielle
Please remember that none of these kids will have a chance to find a home if there photos aren’t circulated. So please, share this post on Facebook or Twitter or wherever. And don’t underestimate the power of prayer!
Andrea-
Heart Of The Young 