program keeps disabled children at home, not in orphanages

In previous updates we've shown how devastating life is for mentally or physically disabled children who live out their lives in orphanages.  And, without intervention, the grim future they face as institutionalized adults segregated from society forever. Thanks to your financial support, we've also been able to tell you happier stories -- stories of our foster families. These amazing families have joined children -- all of whom lived in orphanages and have histories of loss, abuse and neglect -- with parents eager to share their love and provide a secure and nurturing home.

This update is about our Community Care program. This program -- serving 18 children in Minsk, Belarus but set for expansion -- takes disabled children off the waiting lists for orphanages, and provides their families with the support they need to care for their children at home.

Visiting these families last month, I was struck by the unique determination of these parents -- often single mothers -- who care for their children at home in a region where institutionalization is the norm. Chernobyl Children's Project International provides therapeutic home visits, training and supplies for families, outings and other types of support, such as swimming pool visits, accessible home adaptations, and camping experiences for the children. But the passion to overcome obstacles and make it all work comes from the parents themselves.

Andrei, pictured at the top of this post, is an 11 year old with cerebral palsy and autism.  He's a happy and well cared for boy, and his mother is delighted with him -- but clearly exhausted by his activity level.  He is in constant, exhuberant, and barely controlled motion.  It was great to see their loving bond, but I couldn't help but think what a handful he will be as they both get older. They will need all the  support they can get.

Ignat, the calm and handsome boy pictured in my lap to the right , is 6 years old and like many of our children in the program has cerebral palsy.  He lives with his mother, who is single, and his grandmother in a tiny, one bedroom apartment.  A wheelchair lift on the stairs built by CCPI volunteers, and a wheelchair accessible van (paid for with your donations) make it possible for him to enjoy pool therapy visits and trips to McDonald's (a popular treat for the kids and their parents!)

The little girl pictured in the pink jacket is 6 year old Nadya. She has cerebral palsy and suffers frequent seizures.  In the photo she is held by CCPI board member Michael Rodin -- but I enlarged the photo to focus on her lovely face and eyes.  Her eyes are the only responsive part of her, until we turn on her music box and her mouth explodes into a smile. Their apartment had no furniture or comforts and Tanya, Nadya's mother, seemed  to be extraordinarily stressed, on "on the edge."  She told us she was not sure how long she would be able to continue caring for Nadya at home.  This is clearly a family we need to observe and support carefully in the coming months.

Thirteen year old Marguerita is pictured with medical care program coordinator Valentin Chernyakevich, who manages the staff of Belarusian therapists who make home visits to our children.  An inoperable tumor on her spine has taken away her ability to walk. But she uses a wheelchair provided by your donations, and a ramp built by CCPI building program volunteers allows her to get out with her mother and participate in fun activities organized by Valentin and his staff. Last summer, she attended one of our camps for disabled children, and she loves her regular trips to the swimming pool.  She told us she would like to have a chance to ride a horse. Marguerita speaks a bit of English -- it's her favorite subject when a teacher comes in to visit her, and she loves to get letters written in English. She is proud of her mother's singing voice, and urged her to sing Belarusian folks songs to us. She is a very happy and optimistic girl.

Eighteen children, and families who critically need professional and social support in order to care for them at home.  All of them would be in institutions without this program.  Cared for by strangers, they would be extremely vulnerable. Please consider making a donation to help us continue this program, and expand it to help more disabled children avoid the horror of institutionalization and stay with their families where they belong.