Sugar coating the reality?

There has been a heated discussion among many on how we discuss the reality of the children we are trying to save. On one hand we do not want to upset the powers that be- the ones that are able to say yes or no to our adoption journey. On the other hand wanting to share the full scope of what these children face if we do not save them. It is a fine line when we are attempting to be these kids voices while maintaining a working relationship with the countries that hold their lives in their hands until we can get to them. How are we to ask of our friends, strangers, and family for donations to save our children, yet not show them the true horrors that these children face?

I struggle daily with that. Each post I try to read over and over to see if something I say will jeopardize my adoption of Cliff. How do I fully paint a picture of what life is like there to a society that lives in excess and knows nothing of true poverty? Even if you live paycheck to paycheck you can never fully understand how rich you are in comparison to what life is like for these children or what their life is destined to be. If you have one quarter in your pocket you have more than what these children will see in their lifetime. We live in a society that does not send our meek to institutions. If you are born missing a leg or with an extra finger you are not sent to an orphanage. If you are blind you are not alone. If you are born with Down syndrome you are no longer sent away. I can't imagine my life if Jacob was not in it. He has accomplished everything a typical child has he is just taking his own time in doing it. No he did not walk at one but he is starting to now.

I have told you some of the statistics of what happens to children in the orphanages once they are sent to institutions. They die... most of them anyway. And it isn't always a quick death. It is malnutrition- how would you like to starve to death slowly? It is lack of medical care- not that they can't be saved by modern medicine it is they have no access to it. It is a slow death by lack of physical attention. These are children that in no way, shape or form belong in institutions. Children who are 5 years old yet the size of a 2 year old. Children forced to bang their heads on walls, cribs, and floors for any stimulation. Even in the orphanages they spend hours just laying in their crib. My son is there. Just thinking about it starts the tears flowing. And yet how do I paint this picture for you so that you understand? So that you feel what I feel? So that you may open your heart and possibly help? HUMANS SHOULD NEVER LIVE LIKE THAT!! NO CHILD SHOULD ENDURE THAT!

So where is the line? I wish I had all the money in the world to save all the children. I wish I could give a full grant to every child listed. Because I believe their are parents out there for every single one of them. Money holds them back. It almost held me back. How many of you have $15,000 in the bank or have the opportunity to save that much in a matter of a few months? We are right there with you. But how many of you have an extra $10 or $20 that you could part with? I hear so many people who say they would love to help but can't afford it. I understand that too. I think so many people look at the big amount and get overwhelmed without realizing that a whole bunch of small amounts will get us to the bigger amount. It is tax time and maybe you could send a few dollars when you get your return. Bonus is next year at tax time you can write off your donation. You are not throwing your money away- you are literally saving a life with it. So maybe you can't part with a few dollars right now- a good friend of mine suggested using credit card reward points towards a donation. Many of them list Reece's Rainbow as a charity you can redeem your points for. All you would have to do is list that it is for Cliff(31) Warner family and it would go to his adoption fund. Maybe by using points you never realized you had it wouldn't seem like a budget buster for you?

I hate making my posts about money. I really do although it always seems to end that way. I want to be able to concentrate on paperwork to get to him and I want to try and make it as fast as possible but the reality is I can work as fast as possible and still come up short for the funds to fly and get him. Someone asked me why it was so expensive and it is expensive but the funds I am asking for are the airfare/apartment for us for our 5 weeks there/visa/government clearance.. no one is making money on our adoption. The gain is not monetary but a son for us whom we already love like no other. That is the biggest gain of all.. saving our son. Please help. If you would rather not use your credit card but send a check please just put Warner/Cliff in the memo section.. Please again these are going to a 501(3)c charity and not to my bank account and all donations are tax deductible.
 EDITED- Just after I originally posted this I learned we lost another. RIP Dante :( Please help me get to Cliff before we lose him too :(

I am going to leave you with  a video about institutions.. remember the fine line? Well this was aired nationally so I am thinking it is OK! (make sure you turn off my music on the right side of the page further down)