Today we had the girls' speech and psychologist evaluations for services. We will have the IEP on Friday to establish what services, etc... they will begin to receive.
They had a translator at the appointment. A missionary from Ukraine that does work in Ukraine Orphanages (not the girls' region). Courtney was talking with her while I was with the psychologist doing testing. She asked her if certain things translated to Russian that Sophia says or if they were just childish gibbering. Well... one of the things turned out to have a meaning. We had asked while in Ukraine visiting the orphanage about this word's meaning. We were told it must have been something she just made up. We had asked on Friday after having only visited with her 4 times. We asked because this word was prominent in her vocabulary (she only repeatively uses a few words). This implies this word was one she was very familiar with. Again.. when we asked before we were told it was nothing. Today we find out this word does have a meaning. She does not seem to understand the meaning nor use it accurately. She does not pronounce it clearly, but it does have a meaning. It means "Fool". This lets us know that she heard this word repeatedly and that the word was specifically directed at her. She thinks it is a little game or something. She says it in a sing-song voice then laughs, repeats, etc... I have been teary-eyed over and over this morning invisioning her 'playing' along as children and adults have used this word to insult her and she didn't even understand. How funny that must have been to them. How sad. That is the ugly reality. They have no understanding of children with Down Sydrome and what beautiful blessings they are. How can they not see these children are God's gentle and innocent creations? How can anyone not see? As for our house... that word is going to be erased from a certain little memory bank. Even though she may not understand what those people were saying, I felt a strong urge to start undoing what they had tried to do. I took her little face in my hands, gave kisses, looked her in the eye and said "Sophia is no 'fool' (insert her version of Russian translation)"; "Sophia is beautiful"; "Sophia is smart"; "Mom loves Sophia". She does not understand my words or their meaning either, but in time... she will.
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Oh, how my heart breaks to hear that...makes me think, were Anastasia and Tanner spoken to in that manner also? We are so lucky to have found these babies, as we appreciate them for who they truly are! I will never understand how, why ......? Oh, I cannot even find the words. I can't wait to get my baby out of there!
ReplyDelete((((HUGS))))
Oh, Christy! Crying tears here! How heart-breaking....You are such a good mom! You were so smart to get to the bottom of that word. I wouldn't have thought to ask about it. May God bless you as you fill your little ones with love!
ReplyDeleteLove in Him, Paula
No, she is NO fool! She is a princess of the King of Kings!
ReplyDeleteAND she has a mommy and daddy that love her! The life of insults and uncaring is OVER for her, and she won't ever go back to that again!
This story just made me so angry and sad. Yet I wonder if I would be strong enough to see the beauty and gifts of those individuals with Down syndrome or disabilities when my whole life and culture has taught me different?
Oh my goodness, how sad! I got tears reading this. What a precious little girl, praise God she was taken away from that place and put into the loving arms of her Mommy and Daddy.
ReplyDeleteAmy
Wow. that is heartbreaking. I'm tearing up. At the Buddy Walk this weekend there was a self advocate named Erin, and she gave an AMAZING speech on how respect is a basic human right.
ReplyDeleteThis is so upsetting. I am so thankful she has you now. I just cry thinking of the people there using probably their version of the R word as nicknames for the children. The enemy knows these children are literally the very hem of heaven and is trying to LIE to them about who they are. They are (as are we) Kings and Priests and Children of the Living and True God. The enemy knows that though we are all made in the image of God, these children are closer to that image and so he starts when they are born telling them lies. Praise God YOU are there to undo that and to speak to truth into their lives now.
ReplyDeleteSigh... going to have a good cry now.