Even More Pics From Ethiopia

Ethiopia was certainly not what I expected. One of my favorite pics that I took was of this 15 yo old autistic girl and her very devoted Muslim brother. The family invited me into their mud and stick house and welcomed me with open arms. The family lives in a room the size of a small closet with a three level bunkbed and room for one chair. In a land were autism is so misunderstood that you are often considered possessed, it is very difficult for families of autistic children. This brother loves his sister very much despite the hardship that autism brings to the family. The Autism Center helped this family by helping the mother set up her own store so she can try and provide for her family.

More pics from Africa

More Ethiopia Pics

I find Ethiopia so diverse and facinating. It is like no place I have ever been before. I feel honored to have met so many wonderful people and seen so many incredible sites. The women I traveled with were awesome...all here for different reasons and all just good people. The kids I met have hearts as open as any I have seen esp. considering all that some have been through.

March 31, 2009 Ethiopia

Woke up to no electricity at the hotel this morning and when we returned it was more of the same. Tonight the place is being run via generator.It is kind of funny. Well, I knew this trip was meant to be a discovery of self/things/etc.

You know what I discovered? I discovered that I belong home with my family. That I miss them terribly and that I really don't need to go around the world for adventure and doing things that are helpful to others when I have all that at home and all that to do at home.

Today I went to the house for children with disabilities. There are at least 4 kids with autism there. The kids are taken care of well enough but it was a very eye opening experience. The kids with autism had no structure and were basically allowed to do what they wanted. There was no WAIT training, no gentle hands, no nothing. This really worries me as these kids will become dangerous as they get older if they do not get the structure that they need to survive in this world without hurting themselves and others. What will happen to them? I had one of the boys sit on my lap and worked with him to not bag, hit, bite, etc. With a lot of sensory stimulation he was able to quiet down. All these kids need so much more sensory work. And it is no ones fault they are doing the best they know how. I am going to do a training on Friday and will try to set up a schedule for these kids, do some neuro type work, etc. Hopefully, It will help in some small way.

Another thing I was appalled about today was the lack of racial awareness that some parents have about what it means to their family to bring a child of color into their family. I am really upset that the agencies do not do more to make damn sure that these families understand that their children will experience racism and so will their families. Parents need a very through education about how racism will impact their children's lives. If nothing else the agencies OWE it to their kids to make sure parents understand the special obligations that they have to their kids when they adopt a child who is a different race than they are.

This afternoon Hannah and I ate with the women of the house. We had injera which is made of teft and a tomtatoe/bean like mixture with potatoes/carrots. You eat it with your hands. It is very good. Tonight, however, Hannah is puking her guts out. Not sure if it was the food or something else. Please say a little prayer that I do not spend the night before the porcline god.

Tomorrow we take all the special needs kids to the Hilton pool. I am a little concerned. I will also interview the head of CHSFS Ethiopia. I will say that the trip has been going well. Joey has been doing a fabulous job of organizing everything and keeping spirits bright. Life is good and we are a very lucky people in our part of the world.

March 30, 2009 Ethiopia

Today I spent the day at the autism center. They have multiple classrooms where they teach speech, do sensory play, learn to sit quietly, etc. Mostly I worked on press releases and re-doing some Joy Center informational media info. Wasn't exactly what I had in mind but it needed to be done. I saw horrid pictures of children whose hands and feet were bound because they were hurting themselves and witch doctors told the parents they were possessed. It was pretty unbelievable and sad. They were thrilled with the items that were brought esp the autism awareness braclets as they are having a big festival. Zemi was also grateful for the CARRS tests thanks to the Autism Center at Fresno State and the thinsg I brought from Exceptional Parents in Fresno.

Went back to Layla House and almost immediately headed out to Big and |Little A Hope. This is an orphanage for children with AIDS. They are given the AIDS cocktail and most of the kids appear to be doing okay except for one little guy with a distended stomach who was 4 and looked to be about 2. However, the facilities themselves were depressing a full of needs. New cribs, stimulating toys, more clothes, etc really appear to be needed. The kids at Big A Hope were doing homework when we were there. They were so proud to show what they were learning.

Saw alot of women carrying water containers down to a local well. Also saw the local butcher with his goats in front of a store, one of them down to just feel and entrails if you get what I mean. Lots of interesting sights. Men carrying bundles on their heads and construction done with wooden scaffolding. The women here are just beautiful. It is funny there is a sort of pit barbacue place out front and I hear country music coming from it.

More Pics

March 29, 2009
THOUGHTS


The Grrek coastline was incredible. Soft blue waters, snow capped mountains. Stark contrast to Africa which was eerie. |You see the blue see and all of a sudden a stark desert. Miles and miles of nothing...sand dunes shaped in swirls and whorls of nothingness. Incredible. Flew over Luxor Egypt (hi Nissim!) Sudan...do not take pictures out of the window, mosques everywhere, large artiliary sitting on the airport grounds. UN planes. Nervous stewardesses. Of course, I did take pictures.
The Nile snakes along the countryside, dipping and disappearing here and then. It is vast but with nothing around it.
Ethiopia. The people are colorful and wonderful. The babies and kids at the orpahange are gorgeous. Lots to do. Hands to hold, noses to wipe, games to play. I washed laundry with the women. \back breaking work. The kept asking me...do you want to stop. NO. I don't know how they do it. Went to the autism center. It is incredible. Zemi has done alot. Better than some places in the states. Ethiopia has surprised me. It seems to be less impoverished than Tijuana.

Back From Ethiopia

I tried to blog from Ethiopia but was unable to. Hope to post my impressions before we leave for Korea on Tuesday. Meanwhile here are some pictures. Too tired to write.

Leaving Tomorrow

Hard to believe it is almost time to go to Ethiopia. As usual, I am terrified to fly and have my usual GOODBYE TO THE WORLD SPEECH. Here goes...

Okay, if my plane goes down, promise me you will write to my kids and tell them
how much I loved them. And Dave too. He has been a wonderful husband with the
patience of a SAINT. I want on my tombstone "LEAVE THE LIGHT ON SO I CAN SEE
WHERE THE DARK IS" I will trust that you guys will make sure that it happens.

To Ross:
You were always my favorite because you were my first born. I made a lot of mistakes with you but am grateful you love me anyway. Obviously, you have turned out okay...just look what a wonderful dad you are to Kaelyn. She is lucky that you are her father and will be rewarded for that throughout her life. You have really made me proud and I am really impressed with the man you are becoming. My wish for you is that your patience with others increases...obviously mine never did but one can still hope that you didn't get the entire gene. I carry my love for you forever no matter where we are.I Love You.

To Kylee:
You were always my favorite because you were my first born daughter. You were exactly what we had dreamed of when we dreamed of you. I made a lot of mistakes with you and hope you are wise enough not to repeat the worst of them. I know that when you find your direction you will make the most of it because you know how to take what you are given and then multimply it. I admire your courage and was so proud of you when you tested your wings and went to Brazil. Don't settle. Be grateful and happy for what you have. My wish for you is that you love wisely and kindly even tho you didn't always see that in me. Take after your dad and find a man like your and you will live a wonderful life. Please share the GOOD stories of me with the little kids and let them know that they were loved. You will always bring a smile to my face when I think of you. I Love You.

To Karson:
You were always my favorite because you were my second son and I wanted so much to meet you in Korea. Believe it or not I knew I loved you the moment I saw you and it made me so sad to see the "deer in the headlights" look you had for the first months home. I wish that I could have taken your scared confusion away so that you could learn to trust us sooner. You have greatness in you. You are smart, you are kind and you are a good friend and son. Stay strong in your life. Autism isn't who you are it is just a part of you. I expect great things from you and know that you will succeed in life no matter what. I hope you know that I love you "All the way to Pluto" now and forever. You will always be in my heart. I Love You.

To Kullen:
You were always my favorite because you were my third son and challenged me from the day you came home. I have to admit I fell in head and heels in love with you the minute I saw your picture on a website. I thought "That boy is my boy and he belings in this family." I am so thankful that I got my hearts desire in you. I wish for you that you use that incredible brain of yours and learn to keep your hands by your sides...it will make your life easier. You will be great at whatever you choose to do...I suspect it will be some sort of engineering. You see so many things in the world and in people that most people don't. It is a gift so always acknowledge that gift and be thankful for it. You will always be with me. I Love You.

To Kellis:
What can I say except you were always my favorite because you are my baby girl. Bringing you home was like bringing a ray of sunshine into our lives. You have such a way of shining joy all around you. May you always keep your light shining on others to remind them of all that is perfect in this world. I expect that you are going to be an artsy woman...a dancer, poet, writer...all wonderful things to be. Maybe a brain surgeon but whatever you choose to be I know you will do it with gusto and your whole heart. May you be wise in regards to boys and choose a man who is wonderful like your dad....you will never go wrong if you remember that advice. You are always in my heart. I Love You.

To Dave:
You know when I try and write about you the words escape me! How can one even try to convey how lucky and blessed I feel that I have had these wonderful years with you. You have always been an inspiration to me, my best friend and the type of person I would love to be when I grow up. The peace that resides in the center of your soul is so comforting and welcomes others to rest with you. It is an amazing characteristic you have...one most people do not have but wish that they did. You have given me a life that so many only dream about. The material things, trips have been wonderful but what a mean is the kind of life that has a base of stability because one knows that she is loved deeply and completely desite my faults. Thank you for giving me the best of you all of these years (21 today!) I could not have asked for more in this life. You will always be with me. I Love You.


Finally, your mission should you choose to accept it is to find a wife for Dave (he would need one) She MUST know the Toll House Cookie Recipe by heart! Dave is an incredible man and any woman who fell in love with him would be blessed 1000 fold.

Two Tales of the Traveling Pants

So I have been asking what to wear in Ethiopia and several people have told me (I thought) to bring parachute pants. This evening I started the great search for said pants and was snickered at, not once, but twice at two different stores.When I told the young thing in the clothing department what I was after, she looked at me and rolled her eyes and said, and I quote: "parachute pants were popular in the 80's along with Mike Hammer (insert snicker) I think if you want some of those you will have to go to a retro store."

Second sales girl says to me, " EWWWWW. That would be the fashion mistake of the 20th century...you can't be serious...har, har, har (trumpting like an elephant)

So I am left to ponder whether it is impossible to buy parachute pants except in MO or if this is a "Let's See What A Dork Cheryl Is" kind of practical joke which sounds like something the Bimbo from MO would do to get back at me for some unknown reason!

The SAGA CONTINUES

The next day I find I am mistaken. It is cargo pants I am SUPPOSE to be after. But here is the catch... cargo pants on Fat chics are no laughing matter. I learned this today as I tried on clothes for the trip to Ethiopia at the store. The trouble with cargo pants is they carry/hold EVERYTHING but your own fat. I mean, come on folks, there are no zippers to zip all the fat in place! These things are not meant to be decent pieces of clothing. They are a form of torture for you and anyone who has to look at you while you are wearing them! The worse thing is that I am buying them to leave in Africa when I return home. But, of course, there is one little problem... I will be the only FAT person on the entire continent!The only consulation I have is that if a seamstress gets hold of these she will be able to make two or three pairs of pants out of them. Nothing like cargo pants to depress the hell out of you!

BTW, if God was a fashion designer he surely created cargo pants as a tribute to Mr. Blackwell. And no I won't put up a photo...that would just be cruel to humanity.