CTR

Have you heard about Connecting the Rainbow?  It's a new program that Reece's Rainbow has started that, someday, when their goal is met, will eliminate much of the need for Reece's Rainbow!  Can you imagine how incredible it would be if all those parents of babies with Down Syndrome were actually encouraged to keep thier babies and given all kinds of resources and support to empower them? None of this would happen to these precious children.  And hopefully, none of this either. 

Since Reece's Rainbow began, something amazing is happening. According to the CTR website, "Slowly, one family at a time, parents in Eastern Europe are beginning to realize maybe the medical professionals who've been telling them their children will never learn, or have any quality of life, might not know the truth! They're following their hearts, and bringing their children home! It is the hope of this organization to raise awareness about potential and capabilities of people with Down Syndrome. They are also trying to educate doctors, therapists, teachers and others in their society, so when children are born with Down syndrome in their country, they are not placed in an orphanage or institution, but are taken home and raised in their family."

This is a  huge undertaking that will happen one family at a time.  But knowledge is power, and it will slowly spread and save a lot of lives.  I'm really excited about this.  Jeremy and I feel that although adopting Anna is  "only a drop in the bucket" as far as this problem in Eastern Europe goes, having Anna as our own will light the passion within us to be a part of the change.  I look forward to helping in some way with this great project.

Funny enough, the acronym CTR is pretty much a household word in Mormon culture.  It means "Choose the Right."   When our kids are little, they get a ring that looks like this. When we see this symbol, we are reminded to make right choices when we are faced with temptation.  How appropriate that the other CTR, "Connecting the Rainbow" is all about helping people to make the right choice.  I love it!