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Dear Life,

I wrote about Susanna awhile back. She needed a family so badly. (You can read about her HERE: Susanna's Story)
  
 Susanna had Spina Bifida that was never surgically repaired and untreated hydrocephalus.  She was the same age as Kumaka.  In her six years of life, she never, ever left the crib.  She learned to scoot around her crib a little bit, and she became best friends with the little boy in the crib next to her.  She would straighten his clothes and hold his hand.  Finally, a family came forward.  They were in the middle of the long, arduous process of paperwork that needs to be done when adopting internationally.  They were so excited to bring her home and get her the very necessary medical care she needed and add her to their beautiful family.  And then one day they received a phone call that no one wants to get.  Sweet little Susanna passed away.  Her family was working hard....but her untreated Spina Bifida got to her first.  

Our Adoption family was devastated by the news.  We all cried for this sweet little girl that never got to meet her mommy and daddy.  

This picture of Susanna's crib broke my heart...as I imagined her living in this crib for six years...and now she's gone.  

During this season of thankfulness, our family has really thought long and hard about all of you.  You, our friends, family, and those we don't even know who have donated one dollar, five dollars, fifty dollars, or more.  You, who have donated shoes, collected shoes, collected clothing, etc.   You are the reason that Sofi will come home.  That she has a chance for life.  You are the reason that she will have a family, that she will not be alone.  You are a part of her story.  And her crib will be empty soon, and she will be here in our home and with our family.  She will be able to have dreams, hopes, and love.  She will have the best medical care we can provide for her.  She will leave the orphanage. She will come home.  

Thank you.   We are so very close....court is coming up in a couple of weeks.  And then we can show her face.....please consider giving our girl hopes and dreams for Christmas.  

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Dear Life,

Do you remember Susanna?

You can read her story here.

After I wrote that post, a wonderful family came forward and started the process of adopting not only Susanna, but Susanna's best friend as well.

Kristin and Keith Williams is this family.  I wrote to Kristin, and shared my love for Susanna and how excited I was to know that there is finally going to be a family for Susanna. You can read their blog at The Road to Piecefield.

Last week the unthinkable happened.  Susanna died.  Susanna was never able to meet her mommy and daddy. She never had the opportunity to leave her crib. Praying that with God's grace she felt the love this family had for her through the miles.  Although Susanna is now running in Heaven, her family's hearts are breaking. One less in this case is not a good thing.  It is a devastating loss.  

The need for orphan awareness is huge.
The time is now.
Not everyone is called to adopt.
THAT IS OKAY.
But everyone should take the time to learn about the orphan crisis all over the world.
Every person that prays, advocates and donates is a part of alleviating the crisis. 

Adopt Give Support Advocate

"Are you my mom?"

Dear Life,

I have been introduced to a beautiful little girl.  
Well only in pictures.
She has a sweet little smile.
She has beautiful blue eyes.
She has no mommy or daddy.

Her life is in danger.  
Her health is at risk.
All she needs is a family to bring her home.
She needs love, she needs care.


She has Spina Bifida like Kumaka.
When you have the type of Spina Bifida that Kumaka and "Susanna" has, you need surgery immediately at birth.
You need your head checked continually for hydrocephalus.

Kumaka had surgery six hours after birth to close the hole in his back...and a shunt for his hydrocephalus placed at the same time.
He has not had issues with his back after that and his shunt has been great for years.

"Susanna" has not.
Her back lesion is open.
It leaks CSF fluid.
She has never had a shunt placed.
Her head looks like it is getting bigger and bigger...which means her brain is being squeezed like a vice.
I'm sure her head hurts all the time.
The doctors in her country have deemed her "inoperable". 
THIS IS NOT THE CASE


And yet she still finds a way to smile.  
She helps the boy in the crib next to her.
She scoots around in her crib.


SHE IS A FIGHTER.
SHE CAN BE OK.
SHE JUST NEEDS SOMEONE TO FIGHT FOR HER NOW.

Are you her mother?
Are you her father?

If you have any questions about what it is like to care for a child with Spina Bifida, please contact me.
If you are interested in getting more information about beautiful "Susanna" please contact me.

Please please please share this blog post.  You could save her life. You could create a new life for her.  

An unfiinished story

Dear Life,

I want to tell you the story of a beautiful little girl.

Her name is Susanna.

She lives in Eastern Europe in the same country as Sofi.

She is six years old.

She has Spina Bifida.

Unlike Kumaka and all of his friends (including Sofi's), Susanna's Spina Bifida Story is different.

Susanna's back lesion has NEVER been closed.

Susanna has hydrocephalus yet has NEVER had a shunt.

Yet the  orphanage staff speaks of how amazed

they are with the girl moving around her bed

as she is the first child with spina bifida they

have seen do that.
Unfortunately Susanna NEVER LEAVES HER CRIB. 
She has never played with the other children outside of the crib.

Susanna not only interacts with the other child in her room but she has formed a significant relationship of friendship with him.

Their beds are one next to the other and they

exchange toys and “talk” to each other.

The caregivers explained whenever the girl

starts vocalizing, the boy joins her.

They have seen her reach out through the bars of his bed and try to “fix” his clothes the way the caregivers do.

Kumaka has a voice because of his parents.

Sofi has a voice because she will have parents.

Susanna has no voice.

She has no one to fight her battles.

We are praying that SOMEONE will read this, will see her picture, will ask for more information.

Susanna  desperately NEEDS parents who will step in, fight for Susanna to receive the correct medical care and bring her home!

Susanna deserves a chance at life.  A chance with a family.  She needs a miracle.

Susanna is a miracle.

Hopefully she's your miracle.