A good friend of mine has been trying to educate everyone. She did a Podcast recently. Please take some time to listen.
http://toginet.com/podcasts/connectwithjulianna/?s=connectwithjulianna
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Ready for a Visit
We spoke with K today and Macy is doing so well she is ready for a visit. I'll be traveling the 1st week of December for a few days. I am excited to see Macy, but also feeling anxious. I am not going to set my expectations to high so I won't be disappointed. I am more excited to let Macy see that she is still loved and missed. I can't wait to share pictures with everyone when I return. K said she has changed so much. Our little Buddha is back. She was such a thick girl when we got her and now is doing so well that she has put on some weight, healthy weight. The family is so excited for me to go. They will be working on little gifts to give her. I'll keep you all posted.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
November 4, 2011
One holiday gone and the best to begin. I have been really busy with respite kids. The holidays always cause more anxiety for RAD kids, which is more stress to mom. I am getting a lot of calls from moms desperately needing a break.
Scott and I have both talked to K recently and are soooo happy to hear of big changes. First, Macy is putting on weight and her feet are growing. Her feet haven't grown in the last two years. She was so shut down. Now she is beginning to thrive and her body is growing. Second, I talked to K today and she was excited to share that Macy is making the shift. She is doing what is asked, receiving the rewards and is happy and laughing. I don't know if I ever heard a real laugh from Macy, can't wait to hear it myself.
Everyone is doing well. Getting excited about the holidays, they will be here in no time.
Thanks for your support.
Scott and I have both talked to K recently and are soooo happy to hear of big changes. First, Macy is putting on weight and her feet are growing. Her feet haven't grown in the last two years. She was so shut down. Now she is beginning to thrive and her body is growing. Second, I talked to K today and she was excited to share that Macy is making the shift. She is doing what is asked, receiving the rewards and is happy and laughing. I don't know if I ever heard a real laugh from Macy, can't wait to hear it myself.
Everyone is doing well. Getting excited about the holidays, they will be here in no time.
Thanks for your support.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
October 25, 2011
I took some time off from checking in with K. The phase that Macy was in was the most difficult for me when she was at home and hearing K go through stirred up a lot of anxiety and stress for me. I left Scott to check in. He spoke with K recently and things are going well. Macy is thriving in school work. She is not playing games with her work and is asking for help when needed. This is great! RAD child rarely feel they need help, and never ask for it. They like to turn situations like this into a control battle. Macy is finally enjoying learning! The next step should be wanting to work on her life and what she needs to do to want to be part of our family. I am hoping that she will continue these steps forward and I will be able to go for a visit after the holidays. Thanks again to everyone for your thoughts and prayers.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
October 4, 2011
I haven't posted anything since Macy had left. I don't know if anyone is following our story, but I thought it would be good to share if anyone is. I am not much of a blogger. Truthfully this is the first time I have ever done it, so if anyone is following our journey, I am sorry for being so late.
It has been two months since Macy has left. Her drop off was quick. She expressed some sincere emotions that lasted about 20 minutes. The two days prior to her leaving were pleasant. I think that Heavenly Father softened her heart so we all could experience some better days together.
Macy's progress: It is nice to say that Macy is showing progress. To some of you the progress may seem crazy, but trust me it progress. Macy is being very defiant and raging (this is the progress). Why is this progress? She is expressing her true feelings. It usually takes 4-5 months for these children to show their true colors and Macy started showing it the 1st month. K (the person working with her) believes that with what we have worked with her at home and her ability to express her emotions, that Macy will come home a normal, healthy child.
A specialist visited Macy the first month and assigned tasks for her to do. These task used certain parts of the brain and could tell us what parts are under developed. With this knowledge, K can work with Macy on the parts needing more development and get it to where a 7 year old child should be. Why is this important? Children with RAD have brains that are under developed. They lack a lot of the development that we get as infants because of the lack of nurturing, love and touch. This was really exciting to us to be able to focus on specific parts of her brain. It also re-assured us that this is the right place for her to be.
The rest of us are doing well. The boys and Scott are busy with football. Taylor is just getting ready to play High School lacrosse and Skyler is busy with work, internship and his social life. Now that I have gotten emotionally stronger, I have decided to help families with RAD children. I offer emotional support for the distressed moms and give them a break ever once in a while by watching their kids. It is important for these parents to have a safe place for their RAD children to go where they won't come home a mess. It has been really rewarding to me and has made me stronger.
Thank you for your love and prayers.
If you have any questions about RAD please feel free to email me.
It has been two months since Macy has left. Her drop off was quick. She expressed some sincere emotions that lasted about 20 minutes. The two days prior to her leaving were pleasant. I think that Heavenly Father softened her heart so we all could experience some better days together.
Macy's progress: It is nice to say that Macy is showing progress. To some of you the progress may seem crazy, but trust me it progress. Macy is being very defiant and raging (this is the progress). Why is this progress? She is expressing her true feelings. It usually takes 4-5 months for these children to show their true colors and Macy started showing it the 1st month. K (the person working with her) believes that with what we have worked with her at home and her ability to express her emotions, that Macy will come home a normal, healthy child.
A specialist visited Macy the first month and assigned tasks for her to do. These task used certain parts of the brain and could tell us what parts are under developed. With this knowledge, K can work with Macy on the parts needing more development and get it to where a 7 year old child should be. Why is this important? Children with RAD have brains that are under developed. They lack a lot of the development that we get as infants because of the lack of nurturing, love and touch. This was really exciting to us to be able to focus on specific parts of her brain. It also re-assured us that this is the right place for her to be.
The rest of us are doing well. The boys and Scott are busy with football. Taylor is just getting ready to play High School lacrosse and Skyler is busy with work, internship and his social life. Now that I have gotten emotionally stronger, I have decided to help families with RAD children. I offer emotional support for the distressed moms and give them a break ever once in a while by watching their kids. It is important for these parents to have a safe place for their RAD children to go where they won't come home a mess. It has been really rewarding to me and has made me stronger.
Thank you for your love and prayers.
If you have any questions about RAD please feel free to email me.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Just getting started
On our living room wall is a plaque that says "Family: A Journey to Forever". I do believe that my family will be together forever. It gives me great comfort in knowing that. Our biggest struggle right know is the soul that we are loosing and the suffering that our family has gone through. That is why I am titling our blog "Journey to Healing". This is the beginning of our healing.
Many of you know that we had adopted two children in 2008 from Ethiopia, Jaxton and Macy. Jaxton is thriving in our family. He and Tray are the best of friends. He adores his mom and dad, and thinks his big brother (Skyler) and big sister (Taylor) are the coolest. He is one of the happiest kids we know and is always willing to help.
Macy is a beautiful little girl, but she is becoming our lost soul. Macy suffers from Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). Children with RAD have suffered with neglect, abuse or some other kind of trauma. We believe that she lived in a orphanage for most of her 4 years prior to coming to our family. In therapy, we have learned that she suffered greatly while in Ethiopia. Since coming to our family she has struggled with attaching to us. She feels our love and it scares her. Her fear of love makes her react in a negative way. She doesn't know how to feel. Her only emotion is anger and rages nearly everyday. In the past eight months Macy has had no progress. She is slipping quickly and we fear that we are loosing her.
Through lots of prayer we have found a safe place where Macy can go to learn how to love, attach and to heal. After years of suffering, we feel comfort. We believe that this is our next step to healing. Macy is scheduled to leave August 1st and as hard as it will be to say goodbye, we know that this is what is best for her. The monthly expense for Macy's care and therapy will be approximately $2700 (7 to 12 months). To make this possible we come to you for help. Any donations are greatly needed and appreciated. We have set up a Paypal account through our non-profit organization (Purpose2Life) where you can make a one-time donation or set monthly donations. All donations will go to Macy 's care. You all have been so wonderful. We have felt your love, support and prayers. We truly are grateful to each of you. You can follow her progress on our blog that I will update frequently until she comes home. If you have questions about anything please email me at corrie.sorensen@gmail.com . Thank you!
To learn more about Reactive Attachment Disorder please check out these links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTx8Ct43wPQ
http://www.attachment.org/pages_what_is_rad.php
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/reactive-attachment-disorder/DS00988
Many of you know that we had adopted two children in 2008 from Ethiopia, Jaxton and Macy. Jaxton is thriving in our family. He and Tray are the best of friends. He adores his mom and dad, and thinks his big brother (Skyler) and big sister (Taylor) are the coolest. He is one of the happiest kids we know and is always willing to help.
Macy is a beautiful little girl, but she is becoming our lost soul. Macy suffers from Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). Children with RAD have suffered with neglect, abuse or some other kind of trauma. We believe that she lived in a orphanage for most of her 4 years prior to coming to our family. In therapy, we have learned that she suffered greatly while in Ethiopia. Since coming to our family she has struggled with attaching to us. She feels our love and it scares her. Her fear of love makes her react in a negative way. She doesn't know how to feel. Her only emotion is anger and rages nearly everyday. In the past eight months Macy has had no progress. She is slipping quickly and we fear that we are loosing her.
Through lots of prayer we have found a safe place where Macy can go to learn how to love, attach and to heal. After years of suffering, we feel comfort. We believe that this is our next step to healing. Macy is scheduled to leave August 1st and as hard as it will be to say goodbye, we know that this is what is best for her. The monthly expense for Macy's care and therapy will be approximately $2700 (7 to 12 months). To make this possible we come to you for help. Any donations are greatly needed and appreciated. We have set up a Paypal account through our non-profit organization (Purpose2Life) where you can make a one-time donation or set monthly donations. All donations will go to Macy 's care. You all have been so wonderful. We have felt your love, support and prayers. We truly are grateful to each of you. You can follow her progress on our blog that I will update frequently until she comes home. If you have questions about anything please email me at corrie.sorensen@gmail.com . Thank you!
To learn more about Reactive Attachment Disorder please check out these links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTx8Ct43wPQ
http://www.attachment.org/pages_what_is_rad.php
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/reactive-attachment-disorder/DS00988
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