Out on a Limb.

I'm in Love.

These are the most incredible, and inspirational group of kids I have ever had the chance to meet, in my entire 19 years of living.

This week I have been blessed with 13 beautiful kids. Each one of them missing one or more limbs. Either they were born without them, or certain instances have caused them to be amputated. It's absoultely mind boggling the things that these cuties are able to do, even with their disabilities.

To name a few: (more to come)

Jerroth- Handsome little fella, and so smart. He is completely blind, autistic, and missing both legs, one arm, and only has 2 fingers on his other hand. And yet, he plays the piano exceptionally well. He can name off every type of Bear in the world, and he has some pretty swell dance moves to YMCA.

Nadia- My new "best friend" is how she refers to me... she's a doll. She is 5 years old, and as cute as a button with her huge blue eyes. Her parents adopted her from Russia when she was 14 months old. She is missing both of her arms, and has one leg shorter than the other. I dunno if anyone has seen Charlie Wilson's War, but she was the little girl in that movie. Discovery Channel has been out here all week doing a documentary on her I think...

I had no idea that almost half of these kids have been adopted from other countries. And I was told that the reason is, in other countries, when children have such visible disabilities, they are completely shunned. They see them as useless and troublesome. Which is why Erika lived in a bed for the first 8 years of her life, never getting to go outside or even being able to interact with other people. Until her mother (now) adopted her and brought her to the US. She's gorgeous, I swear she'll be a model one day.

Because of this, I want to adopt a child now.

It's incredible just being in the presence of these kids. And because there are so few of them I am able to play and talk with each and every one of them... I spent the whole day letting them paper mache my face and arms, dancing with them until I was literally dripping in sweat, and swimming with them until I started growing fins and gills. And yet, I'm still motivated to play some more. I wake up in the morning excited to start my day. Not that I wasn't before, it's just I have a little more gumption now...

Well. Until tomorrow, I'm out. I'm late for dinner.

Putt Putt and Fishing tonight, followed by dessert in the Theatre. Woot Woot.