The last time all of our friends and families climbed on board a JCICS Call To Action, it resulted in a record number of congressional staffers showing up for our meeting with the Kyrgyz delegates on Capitol Hill in May. If you could take a few minutes to make three phone calls and send three emails tomorrow - THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 17 - 65 orphans and 61 families would be very grateful.
PLEASE consider taking a few moments out of your day to support this CALL TO ACTION:
Dear Friends and Families,
Joint Council is working closely with Representative Bachmann's Office and the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) to secure a meeting between the Kyrgyz Prime Minister and Members of Congress when the Prime Minister is in the United States next week. Members of Congress are very interested in meeting the Prime Minister in order to discuss ways that Congress and the United States Government can assist in positively resolving issues related to intercountry adoption, child protection and child welfare. Members of Congress plan to send a letter to the Kyrgyz Embassy requesting a meeting. In order to ensure that as many Congressional Offices have signed the letter requesting the meeting and are in attendance at the meeting Joint Council is initiating a Call to Action requesting the 65 families contact their Senators and Congressmen. Joint Council requests that all families contact their U.S. Senators and Congresspersons today, September 16th and and tomorrow, September 17 to ensure the letter arrives at the Kyrgyz Embassy by Friday, September 18th. The purpose of your call is to request they sign the letter being sent to the Kyrgyz Embassy and, if a meeting occurs, the Member of Congress attend the meeting.
Either today or tomorrow we request that you do the following:
1) Call both of your U.S. Senators and your representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives:
You can find your Senators' phone numbers and email address at www.senate.gov
You can find your Representatives' phone numbers and email address at www.house.gov
2) Include the following in your calls and emails:
"As constituents, I/we urge the Senator/Congressperson to sign the letter to the Kyrgyz Embassy sponsored by Rep. Bachmann's office and attend the potential meeting with the Kyrgyz Prime Minister should it occur."
If they have not heard about the letter or the potential meeting, ask them to contact Blair Bjellos from Rep. Bachmann's Office, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute or Joint Council at (703) 535-8045.
3) Send an email to everyone you called.
The email is important, but the phone call should be placed first.
Additionally, feel free to forward this request to your friends and family, asking them to contact their Senators and Congresspersons requesting they attend the meeting.
Thank you!
Best Wishes,
Rebecca Harris
Director of Programs and Services
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Surgery
Surgery, scheduled July 2nd, went well. Turns out there was a lot more damage than was initially thought. Apparently I tore 30% of my gluteus medius (butt muscles and tendons). Doctor said surgery went well and he is confident of a full recovery.
I spent the first night in the hospital. I was hooked up to IV and had to get shots of pain meds in my thighs. I was able to leave the day after my surgery and 3 in the afternoon. The hour ride home was not very fun! I started physical therapy only 7 days after my surgery. Unfortunately, I stopped taking the pain meds and the PT refused to do anything with me because of my pain level. I'm a bit stubborn, and I just did not like being all drugged up. I was getting nauseous and my face felt like it was falling off. They ended up switching to a different family of pain meds - life was much easier after that. I've since been going to PT twice a week. At this point, I'm only able to do calf raises, leg extensions, and I ride the bike for 12 minutes. I'm still using my crutches, no weight bearing on my left leg. I'll see the surgeon again ain a week and a half. At that point I will find out when and how I can start to walk again. Looks like I will be in therapy for a minimum of 3 months. I never realized how bad this was going to be.
My brother Joe is still visiting and it's been awesome to have his help. Ryan is probably wanting to strangle me by now. I can't do ANYTHING by myself...wait, I take that back, I can use the bathroom by myself. Other than that though, I'm pretty useless being. Doctor told me to take 6 weeks off work, unfortunately, that is just not possible. I'm going into work for a few hours in the morning and then my staff has been told they need to make sure I leave by early afternoon. The first couple days back I ended up being at work until 6! There's just always so much to do!
Otherwise, recovery is going well for the most part. I'm just looking forward to when I can start walking again. Crutches are for the birds! I'm one of the clumsiest people ever, so you can imagine the issues I'm having with these dang metal walkers :)
I spent the first night in the hospital. I was hooked up to IV and had to get shots of pain meds in my thighs. I was able to leave the day after my surgery and 3 in the afternoon. The hour ride home was not very fun! I started physical therapy only 7 days after my surgery. Unfortunately, I stopped taking the pain meds and the PT refused to do anything with me because of my pain level. I'm a bit stubborn, and I just did not like being all drugged up. I was getting nauseous and my face felt like it was falling off. They ended up switching to a different family of pain meds - life was much easier after that. I've since been going to PT twice a week. At this point, I'm only able to do calf raises, leg extensions, and I ride the bike for 12 minutes. I'm still using my crutches, no weight bearing on my left leg. I'll see the surgeon again ain a week and a half. At that point I will find out when and how I can start to walk again. Looks like I will be in therapy for a minimum of 3 months. I never realized how bad this was going to be.
My brother Joe is still visiting and it's been awesome to have his help. Ryan is probably wanting to strangle me by now. I can't do ANYTHING by myself...wait, I take that back, I can use the bathroom by myself. Other than that though, I'm pretty useless being. Doctor told me to take 6 weeks off work, unfortunately, that is just not possible. I'm going into work for a few hours in the morning and then my staff has been told they need to make sure I leave by early afternoon. The first couple days back I ended up being at work until 6! There's just always so much to do!
Otherwise, recovery is going well for the most part. I'm just looking forward to when I can start walking again. Crutches are for the birds! I'm one of the clumsiest people ever, so you can imagine the issues I'm having with these dang metal walkers :)
Kyrgyz elections
Kyrgyztan's presidential elections were Thursday, July 23rd. The results are in, and the incumbent, Bakiev, will remain as president. There have been allegations of wide-spread ballot stuffing, vote buying, vote counting irregularities, voter intimidation and election monitor intimidation. They will also, surely, slow down any return to day-to-day operations in the government and further delay any action on the part of decision makers to move adoptions forward. Now we will wait...and wait some more.
Friday, July 3, 2009
DOS Update - July 2nd
Yesterday, I received an email from the US Department of State. It doesn't say much, but this is the most news we've gotten in a while:
Dear Kyrgyz Adoptive Families:
I am writing from the Office of Children’s Issues to provide you with a brief update on recent developments regarding the pending adoption cases in Kyrgyzstan, following the visit of Kyrgyz officials in late May.
On May 27 three officials from the Kyrgyz government, Deputies Gulnara Derbysheva and Damira Niiazalieva, and Child Protection Expert Ekaterina Khoroshman, met with adoptive parents, adoption professionals, and government officials as part of a U.S. Government-sponsored international visitors program. The visit succeeded in helping these officials better understand, first-hand, the intense commitment that U.S. families have for their prospective adoptive children. The officials also learned about the standards and protections for adoptive children that are built into the U.S. intercountry adoption process.
After they returned home, these officials held meetings and interviews to address some of the questions and concerns that people in Kyrgyzstan had raised about intercountry adoptions. These officials are clearly following up on the promise they made to work for release of the sixty-five cases.
In June, the State Department also sponsored the visit of a U.S. adoption expert to Kyrgyzstan. This expert met with Kyrgyz government officials, private organizations, and individuals to answer questions about U.S. adoption law and to explain the support and protections available to adoptive children in the United States. During these presentations, the expert emphasized the importance of resolving the sixty-five adoptions currently pending for the well-being of the children.
Recently, the State Department received promising news that proposals regarding these sixty-five cases may be presented to the Kyrgyz Parliament in the coming days. As of this writing, no official action had yet been taken. It is not clear what concrete effect these proposals might have, since the Parliament itself apparently does not have the authority to resolve these cases. Further, Presidential elections are scheduled for July 23. Nevertheless, we welcome this interest and are optimistic that if the proposals are introduced and passed, they could initiate a more positive shift in momentum on the sixty-five cases.
I cannot yet report any specific, concrete developments either in Kyrgyz adoption policy or on any of the pending adoption case files. We, in the Office of Children’s Issues, will continue to follow this issue closely and will make every effort to report to you if there are any new developments.
Gerry W. Fuller
Adoption Division Co-Chief
Office of Children’s Issues
We're continuing to pray for good news!!!
Dear Kyrgyz Adoptive Families:
I am writing from the Office of Children’s Issues to provide you with a brief update on recent developments regarding the pending adoption cases in Kyrgyzstan, following the visit of Kyrgyz officials in late May.
On May 27 three officials from the Kyrgyz government, Deputies Gulnara Derbysheva and Damira Niiazalieva, and Child Protection Expert Ekaterina Khoroshman, met with adoptive parents, adoption professionals, and government officials as part of a U.S. Government-sponsored international visitors program. The visit succeeded in helping these officials better understand, first-hand, the intense commitment that U.S. families have for their prospective adoptive children. The officials also learned about the standards and protections for adoptive children that are built into the U.S. intercountry adoption process.
After they returned home, these officials held meetings and interviews to address some of the questions and concerns that people in Kyrgyzstan had raised about intercountry adoptions. These officials are clearly following up on the promise they made to work for release of the sixty-five cases.
In June, the State Department also sponsored the visit of a U.S. adoption expert to Kyrgyzstan. This expert met with Kyrgyz government officials, private organizations, and individuals to answer questions about U.S. adoption law and to explain the support and protections available to adoptive children in the United States. During these presentations, the expert emphasized the importance of resolving the sixty-five adoptions currently pending for the well-being of the children.
Recently, the State Department received promising news that proposals regarding these sixty-five cases may be presented to the Kyrgyz Parliament in the coming days. As of this writing, no official action had yet been taken. It is not clear what concrete effect these proposals might have, since the Parliament itself apparently does not have the authority to resolve these cases. Further, Presidential elections are scheduled for July 23. Nevertheless, we welcome this interest and are optimistic that if the proposals are introduced and passed, they could initiate a more positive shift in momentum on the sixty-five cases.
I cannot yet report any specific, concrete developments either in Kyrgyz adoption policy or on any of the pending adoption case files. We, in the Office of Children’s Issues, will continue to follow this issue closely and will make every effort to report to you if there are any new developments.
Gerry W. Fuller
Adoption Division Co-Chief
Office of Children’s Issues
We're continuing to pray for good news!!!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
One Year
It was one year ago today, on my birthday, that we accepted the referral of a beautiful baby boy in Kyrgyzstan. We were beside ourselves with excitement. Who knew a year ago we'd still be waiting for him to come home...and could love and miss him so much!!!
Lots of things happening in the past few weeks, I just haven't had it in me to post until this morning.
May 29th - Six PAP's and AP's travel to Washington D.C. to meet with three Kyrgyz delegates about our pending adoption cases. The meeting went very well, and the three women left in touched and inspired to go back to Kyrgyzstan and fight for our children. They tell the families that they are committed to do "everything possible and impossible" to united the 65 waiting families and their children. They said they would go home and start advocating for the children. They sincerely want these children to come home. Upon their arrival home, they immediately visited orphanages and begun working on our behalf.
Well no decisions, votes or approvals yet but there certainly has been a lot of positive press about international adoption and the 65 waiting families and children in Kyrgyzstan. The delegates who recently visited the US continue to advocate for us. They have had several press conferences and meetings with officials. Furthermore, a lawyer from the US Academy of Adoption Attorneys, Irene Steffas who has successfully advocated in many countries for international adoption is in Kyrgyzstan at this time and will be meeting and presenting to various officials throughout the week.
Also, in the news this week was Parliament's vote to allow the US to renew its lease at Manas Air Base, just outside of Bishkek. A positive relationship between Kyrgyzstan and the US can only help.
In other news, I have surgery scheduled next Thursday, July 2nd. Remember my "booty" issues a few months back? I recently saw a specialist and it turns out that I tore 15% of my abductor tendons (hip). The surgery will re-connect the tendons to my truncator (hip bone). Hip bone's connected to the...knee bone...
I will not be able to walk for 8 weeks, and will at some point have to begin physical therapy for quite some time. I have been concerned over this, because what if we get "the call"? I can't walk for two months!!! If this is what it takes to get "the call" though, I'm all for it! Time is winding down and it's coming real fast. I just learned yesterday that I actually have to stay overnight in the hospital, which I'm not exactly excited about. Stay tuned...
Lots of things happening in the past few weeks, I just haven't had it in me to post until this morning.
May 29th - Six PAP's and AP's travel to Washington D.C. to meet with three Kyrgyz delegates about our pending adoption cases. The meeting went very well, and the three women left in touched and inspired to go back to Kyrgyzstan and fight for our children. They tell the families that they are committed to do "everything possible and impossible" to united the 65 waiting families and their children. They said they would go home and start advocating for the children. They sincerely want these children to come home. Upon their arrival home, they immediately visited orphanages and begun working on our behalf.
Well no decisions, votes or approvals yet but there certainly has been a lot of positive press about international adoption and the 65 waiting families and children in Kyrgyzstan. The delegates who recently visited the US continue to advocate for us. They have had several press conferences and meetings with officials. Furthermore, a lawyer from the US Academy of Adoption Attorneys, Irene Steffas who has successfully advocated in many countries for international adoption is in Kyrgyzstan at this time and will be meeting and presenting to various officials throughout the week.
Also, in the news this week was Parliament's vote to allow the US to renew its lease at Manas Air Base, just outside of Bishkek. A positive relationship between Kyrgyzstan and the US can only help.
In other news, I have surgery scheduled next Thursday, July 2nd. Remember my "booty" issues a few months back? I recently saw a specialist and it turns out that I tore 15% of my abductor tendons (hip). The surgery will re-connect the tendons to my truncator (hip bone). Hip bone's connected to the...knee bone...
I will not be able to walk for 8 weeks, and will at some point have to begin physical therapy for quite some time. I have been concerned over this, because what if we get "the call"? I can't walk for two months!!! If this is what it takes to get "the call" though, I'm all for it! Time is winding down and it's coming real fast. I just learned yesterday that I actually have to stay overnight in the hospital, which I'm not exactly excited about. Stay tuned...
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Making the Adoption Tax Credit Permanent
May 2009 Update: The following article was first published in RainbowKids.com in mid-April. Since that time, 3 additional congressional supporters have joined, making our total 79. There are still NO supports from 16 states. Please act today!
The federal adoption tax credit has helped thousands of families say "Yes!" to adopting a child. It's vital that this financial support stay in place to help families offset the costs and fees associated with adopting a child. Unfortunately, the tax credit is set to expire in December 2010 unless Congress votes to continue it. It's time to take action!
The Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2009, H.R. 213 , will keep the adoption tax credit from being repealed, and may make the tax relief measure permanent. It only takes a few minutes to email or call your senators and congressmen it's important for them to hear from families impacted by the tax credit.
Currently, there are 76 State Senators and Representatives cosponsoring H.R. 213. However, there are 16 states that currently have no sponsors of this bill, including eight on the East Coast* (one of the largest areas of the US with internationally adopted children). H.R. 213 is currently in committee, where most bills die. It imperative that adoptive families, and all friends of children waiting for families, act now.
It only takes a few minutes to write, call, or email your representatives. Please do so today!
Email Representative: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
Email Senator: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Currently, the following states have no cosponsors or commitments of support for H.R. 213:
West Virginia, Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, Montana, South Dakota, New Mexico, Arkansas, Hawaii
The two states offering the greatest support are Texas & Georgia with 6 cosponsors each, closely followed by Pennsylvania with 5. Honorable mentions: Florida , Indiana , Illinois each with 4 sponsorships each.
Pass this on to friends and family, and ask for their help in writing, calling, and posting on blogs and facebook. To gain momentum, we must have an absolute ground swell of families lifting their voices together for the well-being of children throughout the world.
You can find this article and others like it at Rainbowkids.
The federal adoption tax credit has helped thousands of families say "Yes!" to adopting a child. It's vital that this financial support stay in place to help families offset the costs and fees associated with adopting a child. Unfortunately, the tax credit is set to expire in December 2010 unless Congress votes to continue it. It's time to take action!
The Adoption Tax Relief Guarantee Act of 2009, H.R. 213 , will keep the adoption tax credit from being repealed, and may make the tax relief measure permanent. It only takes a few minutes to email or call your senators and congressmen it's important for them to hear from families impacted by the tax credit.
Currently, there are 76 State Senators and Representatives cosponsoring H.R. 213. However, there are 16 states that currently have no sponsors of this bill, including eight on the East Coast* (one of the largest areas of the US with internationally adopted children). H.R. 213 is currently in committee, where most bills die. It imperative that adoptive families, and all friends of children waiting for families, act now.
It only takes a few minutes to write, call, or email your representatives. Please do so today!
Email Representative: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
Email Senator: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Currently, the following states have no cosponsors or commitments of support for H.R. 213:
West Virginia, Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine, Idaho, Oregon, Nevada, Montana, South Dakota, New Mexico, Arkansas, Hawaii
The two states offering the greatest support are Texas & Georgia with 6 cosponsors each, closely followed by Pennsylvania with 5. Honorable mentions: Florida , Indiana , Illinois each with 4 sponsorships each.
Pass this on to friends and family, and ask for their help in writing, calling, and posting on blogs and facebook. To gain momentum, we must have an absolute ground swell of families lifting their voices together for the well-being of children throughout the world.
You can find this article and others like it at Rainbowkids.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Call to Action - May 26th
Dear Friends and Families,
As noted in Joint Council's President & CEO's communication yesterday Joint Council has worked closely with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) to secure a 15 minute meeting with Congressional Staffers and the six families traveling to Washington D.C. to represent the group. The meeting will occur just before the Kyrgyz delegation meets with Congressional staffers. In order to ensure that as many Congressional Offices are in attendance at the two meetings Joint Council is initiating a Call to Action requesting the 65 families contact their Senators and Congressmen. Joint Council requests that all families contact their U.S. Senators and Congresspersons on Tuesday, May 26th. The purpose of your call is to request they attend the meetings on Friday, May 29th. Please note that Friday, May 29th is during a Congressional Recess.
On Tuesday, May 26th we request that you do the following:
1) Call both of your U.S. Senators and your representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives:
You can find your Senators' phone numbers and email address at www.senate.gov
You can find your Representatives' phone numbers and email address at www.house.gov
2) Include the following in your calls and emails:
"As constituents, I/we urge the Senator/Congressperson to attend the meeting with Kyrgyz officials hosted by Senator Landrieu and the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute on Friday, May 29th."
If they have not heard about the meeting, ask them to contact the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute at (202) 544-8500 or Joint Council at (703) 535-8045.
3) Send an email to everyone you called:
The email is important, but the phone call should be placed first.
Additionally, feel free to forward this request to your friends and family, asking them to contact their Senators and Congresspersons requesting they attend the meeting.
Thank you!
Rebecca Harris
Government Relations and Communications Manager
As noted in Joint Council's President & CEO's communication yesterday Joint Council has worked closely with the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) to secure a 15 minute meeting with Congressional Staffers and the six families traveling to Washington D.C. to represent the group. The meeting will occur just before the Kyrgyz delegation meets with Congressional staffers. In order to ensure that as many Congressional Offices are in attendance at the two meetings Joint Council is initiating a Call to Action requesting the 65 families contact their Senators and Congressmen. Joint Council requests that all families contact their U.S. Senators and Congresspersons on Tuesday, May 26th. The purpose of your call is to request they attend the meetings on Friday, May 29th. Please note that Friday, May 29th is during a Congressional Recess.
On Tuesday, May 26th we request that you do the following:
1) Call both of your U.S. Senators and your representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives:
You can find your Senators' phone numbers and email address at www.senate.gov
You can find your Representatives' phone numbers and email address at www.house.gov
2) Include the following in your calls and emails:
"As constituents, I/we urge the Senator/Congressperson to attend the meeting with Kyrgyz officials hosted by Senator Landrieu and the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute on Friday, May 29th."
If they have not heard about the meeting, ask them to contact the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute at (202) 544-8500 or Joint Council at (703) 535-8045.
3) Send an email to everyone you called:
The email is important, but the phone call should be placed first.
Additionally, feel free to forward this request to your friends and family, asking them to contact their Senators and Congresspersons requesting they attend the meeting.
Thank you!
Rebecca Harris
Government Relations and Communications Manager
Friday, May 22, 2009
14 Months!!!
Here we are, 11 months later still waiting for our son. Who would've thought?!?! Yesterday he turned 14 months already. My goodness he's growing up so fast!!
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We Love You!!!!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Girls Weekend
This weekend I went to the Twin Cities with a few girls for some shopping and fun! We spent the day at the Mall of America and then headed out for dinner and drinks. We ate at a really nice Italian restaurant downtown and then we ended up at Shout's (I think). It is a dualing piano bar and it was totally fun!! I know I'm totally a dork, but I think it is so cool that you can pretty much request any song in the world and those dudes know it! I think that would honestly be my dream job!
Anyway, it was nice to get away from everything and have fun! I prescribe that everyone do that once in a while :)
Anyway, it was nice to get away from everything and have fun! I prescribe that everyone do that once in a while :)
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Happy Mother's Day!
Today has already been one of the hardest days for me. Still no news. Still no word when we'll get news. Nothing.
Happy Mother's Day to all those beautiful mother's out there!!!
A - Momma loves you. I'm blowing you kisses from way over here. I hope that you can catch them. Know that I love you more than anything. I cannot wait until you are home. Muah!!
Happy Mother's Day to all those beautiful mother's out there!!!
A - Momma loves you. I'm blowing you kisses from way over here. I hope that you can catch them. Know that I love you more than anything. I cannot wait until you are home. Muah!!
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