Finley & Rory

    I was waiting and watching to see what would happen to 'my' Finley's grant over at RR. I had heard that advocates and warriors were being asked where the money for 'their' child should be distributed. RR finally made the decison that Russian children listed on RR who had money in their grant accounts, should have that money given to other waiting children as Russia is most likely permanently closed to Americans.  Finally I emailed Michelle and asked. She asked me for suggestions and since my 1st choice had just been placed on MFFM that day, I asked her to give the money to Rory. Rory is an adorable two year old little boy who had zero money in his grant account. So now Rory has Finley's ENTIRE $1100.00 in his account! This is a good start for this little man. Just two months younger than my own grandson...(Oh, my goodness! Who put that baby on the table?!Just kidding. Calm down people it's just for a photo op.) Seriously I can't tell you how much I wish the ban had never happened. It did however. Maybe some good can come from evil. Hard to believe, but possible I guess. All things in HIS timing, not ours. Have a blessed day...

The battle is HIS...

     We were recently informed that the opposing side in the battle for justice for our sweet son will likely continue for at least TWO more years. In an unprecedented move the defense attorneys for the hospital/physician  at fault have decided to 'spread the blame' so that they are not forced to pay for their error. This means that mediation is cancelled and likely won't be resumed before the deadline of May 5th. If you are not familiar with our story; our 12 year old son suffered a devastating brain injury in 2011 due to a physician misplacing a port catheter. The story was that the catheter somehow 'migrated' from the subclavian artery to the carotid artery after placement. Anyone who is familiar with A&P knows this is physically impossible.
      We waited 18 months to hire our attorneys, hoping that the hospital would make good on their promises to 'take care of our son'. Naive perhaps but we are hardly the type of people to file a lawsuit, if there is any chance it can be settled out of court. If our son did not need lifelong care we would NOT be filing now. We are considering going quite public with the details. Finally naming the hospital and everyone involved, which we have not not done to this date. We are hoping if we do this it will put much needed public scrutiny on how things are currently done and the policies and procedures that need to change, in order to keep children safe.
     What I keep coming back to as a parent is that we are likely not alone. I'm sure there are other parents out there involved in similar situations. The guilt of knowing you signed off on a procedure that grievously injured your child is a burden I would not wish on my worst enemy. Even though it wasn't the procedure that caused the injury. This same procedure is preformed every day in the U.S. It's a common, relatively safe and simple, idiot proof, procedure. Well, so I've been told...

Spiderman playing on the living room floor

    

Happy Easter!

     The Bible tells us the lamb was slain so that you might live. Why don't you ponder that while perusing out latest adorable additions here on the ranch...

Anyone seen the milk?

Quick Note...

     Just a quick note! There are MANY children featured on this blog from last year who may not be currently available. Either because they are in Russia or because they have been adopteed or are no longer listed. I try to update the posts when I get the chance. I would never knowingly list a child who's country actually forbids photo listing.
     In other news I'm showing the colt to a perspective buyer tomorrow. The money will go into the adoption fund. Makes me crazy that the breeder would have sold him finished for 25+ and someone will be getting him for only $1000.00 but that's the market I guess. If any horsy people read this blog and are in or can travel to Oregon...let me just say I have an amazing show prospect for you. Cheap. Contact me on the blog or on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/melissa.welty?ref=tn_tnmn Here are some baby pics of AJ, just for fun and some links. 

http://www.freewebs.com/edenorchardswelsh/youngstockandfoals.htm

http://www.freewebs.com/edenorchardswelsh/kidsandponies.htm Here is his pedigree:http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/eden+orchards+fred+astaire   
UPDATE: AJ HAS BEEN SOLD. HE WILL BE LIVING AT MADRONE HILL RANCH IN GOLD HILL. HORSY PARADISE.

Spread The Word To End The Word 2013

     Tomorrow is 'Spread The Word To End The Word' day. This hits close to home for us as it does for many families. Simply put this is a campaign to erase the 'R' word from everyday useage. It's hurtful and it's not necessary to use this kind of language in any way either to describe someone with an intellectual disability or to use it in any other way.  
     Yesterday I was getting my morning coffee at the local market and watching an employee from Sunrise out of the corner of my eye. I know this woman to have an intellectual disability and I was tensed for trouble in the line of people waiting for their turn. She is a sweet girl probably in her 20's who works at the local thrift shop that (YAY) employs people of varying abiliities. She called the cashier by name and inquired about the cashiers family(no-one else had) she took some time looking for her savings card, getting a little flustered. The cashier prompted her to look it up by phone number and she looked relieved as she listed the number. As she left the line to get her coffee, she was pleasant and friendly to everyone. I was behind her and she delightedly told me that the cappuccino I was dispensing was the 'good stuff'.
     As I left the store I was wondering why the person considered to be 'disabled' was the only one in that whole line who had impeccable manners? We have such a long way to go...
     Here is a link to another moms blog campaign  to 'Spread The Word To End The Word'. http://oureyesopened.org/2013/03/will-you-help-me-spread-the-word.html#comment-4480   
& this one! http://www.lovethatmax.com/2013/03/dont-use-the-word-retard-or-retarded.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ToTheMax+%28To+The+Max%29