31 for 21: Alexander, Elden and Megan

I was thinking today about the Water and Fire metaphors again.  The children who are in really bad shape make me want to swoop in and save them, but they are, for that very reason, the ones that pose the greatest challenge both to the family and to the community.  I think that the goal is not to be a superhero, but to change the culture in my community so that more children are rescued and more is done to effect social change abroad.  So I want to share today about a couple of children with Down syndrome who would be relatively easy to rehabilitate if adopted.

Here is Alexander:



Alexander just turned 6 a couple of months ago, and is apparently "healthy and doing very well".  He does seem to have a cardiac anomaly ("supplemental chord of the left ventricle") so would need to be checked out by a cardiologist, but it does not seem to be slowing him down much, as he is "sociable and affectionate".  In addition,  there is significant financial assistance available for his adoption, both in the form of a $10,000 agency grant and over $8,000 through Reece's Rainbow.  This is especially significant for an adoption from Russia, where costs range from $30K to $40K in most regions.  Isn't he adorable?  Can you imagine his mouth curling up in a smile or opening in an open laugh while his eyes twinkle and sparkle?


From another region of Russia, here is Elden:

 

Elden is 5, and will not turn 6 until next February.  Here is a blog post from last year which includes his file pictures back to when he was 2 and a half.

Age 2.5

Age 3.5

   

He also has a large grant through Reece's Rainbow.  His region is not far from Moscow, and requires 4 trips, but each one is pretty short (a week or less).  Doesn't he look like such a bundle of joy?



From the St. Petersburg region, here is a lovely girl who is 6 going on 7 in December.  Megan has the largest Reece's Rainbow grant, over $24,000:



What a beautiful girl, with a great smile!  She is "active, assertive and social".  Sounds like a spunky little girl!  Wouldn't she be a fun addition to your family and community?