8 November 2004 Well, Hannah has
come a long way since we rescued her from her little
mountain shack two years ago. She's as healthy as she can
be, considered her "brittle bone" disease. She is lively,
and funny and a real joy. She now has two special
wheelchairs, one that she uses indoors and one she can use
outdoors. She is really amazing at maneuvering them and
loves the freedom of getting around.
She has had a few changes in her
life. She now attends Christian Academy of Guatemala, an
English speaking school in San Cristobal. She is in
Kindergarten and loving it. She is near the top of her
class and speaks perfect English. Her favorite class, she
says, is "recess" but she loves every class. She is amazing
at small motor skills and can color pictures wonderfully.
She is starting to read and loves stories. The teachers
have even modified physical education classes for her. She
recently dressed up for a Fall Harvest Party as a ballerina
and was thrilled to show off her outfit.
She continues to learn at an
amazing rate and is so quick-witted and funny. Recently she
saw a doctor who specializes in children with bone
problems. Unfortunately, his report was not very
encouraging; her bones are deteriorating further and he
suggested getting to a special hospital in the States. He
feels there is not much we can do for her in Guatemala.
Hannah has also moved in with a
foster family here in Guatemala so she can attend the
school. The foster mom, Tracy, stays at school with her all
day, to help her and take her to the bathroom. She seems
very content with her Canadian foster parents, John and
Tracy, and enjoys lots of attention because Tracy is with
her all day. She recently rode a horse for the first time
and even bounced a bit in a children's inflatable "bouncy
castle". She loves to go shopping and "playing house".
Our hope and dream is to get Hannah
adopted to the States but there is a problem to overcome.
Her birth parents are legally married, and although they do
not want her, USA law says children have to have unmarried
parents to be adopted and move to the States. Since this is
such a special case, we hope to get an exception for her to
be adopted.
A Home for Jose
Meanwhile, Hannah's brother, 3-year old Jose, was doing
poorly. He has also been diagnosed with Osteogenesis
Imperfecta, the same disease that Hannah has. His mother
also doesn't want him. Jose was left locked in his dirt
floor, tin & cornstalk windowless shack most days; Jose was
losing weight that he can not afford to lose. His mother
seemed unable to cope with the situation and unresponsive to
getting milk and vitamins that we offer to her for free.
His father called me recently to say they want to give him
up and asked if we could find a home for him.
Jose now lives at a handicap children's home, run by
missionary friends of ours. He is doing great, looking and
acting healthy! Hannah comes to visit and play with him
every once and a while.
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