Jaeya, Meisyn's Constant

Meisyn has gone from her birth family, to orphanage, to adoptive family.  She doesn't remember much of the past as she is only 7 years old.  But there is one person who remembers for her.  One who has been her constant.  This is her sister Jaeya.  Biologically they are likely not related, but in every other way the are as true as real sisters can be.

Jaeya has her own physical struggles.  She was born with osteo-genesis imperfecta (OI).  Most have heard of it as brittle bone disease.  At 13 years old, she weighs 35 lbs, is 3 feet 4 inches tall and cannot straighten her elbows or knees due to multiple broken bones.  Jaeya arrived at the orphanage 6.5 years before Meisyn...and she remembers.

Last night we stopped to have dinner at the Chinese market on the way home from Jaeya's medical treatments at Shriner's Hospital.  The food brought the conversation to China, then to life in the orphanage, then to the night that Meisyn arrived there.  Due to Jaeya's fragility, the staff kept her in the baby room her whole life.  They worried that ambulatory children would crush her, which indeed they did on multiple occasions.  As a side note, when the caregivers were tired and babies cried in the night, Jaeya was called into nursemaid duty.  This teeny, tiny girl was in charge of changing diapers and holding baby bottles to fussing lips.  She thinks she should have been paid, LOL!

Jaeya: "Hey, I remember when Meisyn came to the our house.  I was 6, or 7, or 8, something like that.  We were getting ready to bed and the police man came to say there be new baby coming.  Then he went out.  I look out the window and see police car.  Then door open and baby took out. Took out a baby car (stroller) too and put baby in it.  Then come inside.  Baby was crying and had short pants and little bit of clothes. It was the hot time. She had a water bottle and somethings."  According to the official reports and the explanation from her director, this is very consistent with her circumstances.

Meisyn in the winter of 2007

Meisyn and Jaeya kept growing.  As the two children in the facility who could not walk, they were relegated to life together.  Not something they always enjoyed, like real sisters.

Referral picture 2009

 As an adoption professional I saw this referral picture for nearly 2 years as she kept getting passed over for placement.  I never had an inkling that she was my child.

 I followed her on Love Without Boundaries who was trying to advocate as well with the  privacy name Rochell.http://www.lwbstories.com/?p=4775

Passport picture winter 2012

Ultimately, It was Jaeya to lead us to Meisyn.  After advocating for her with no success, we realized that she would be an Ellison.  What we didn't know is that she would bring Meisyn with her.  It was the following article posted to Love Without Boundaries right after we decided to move forward with Jaeya that hit us in the heart.  We knew there was no way to separate friends.  Jaeya, Meisyn's constant, must remain so.  It was the wisdom of Winnie the Pooh and the potential sorrow of separation that kept them together.  What none of us understood is that there will come a separation that we can't control.  At that time, we will depend again upon the advice of a boy and his beloved Pooh 

Jaeya left, and Meisyn right, on medical trip to Shanghai 2011

http://www.lwbstories.com/?p=7773

Pamela and Rochelle: Friends Forever!

It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like, “What about lunch?” – Winnie the Pooh

Rochelle and Pamela recently hung out together at the hospital where they were having their exams done. Neither girl can walk, and both use a wheelchair or walker to get around. Pamela (wearing the yellow jacket) has a bone disease called osteogenesis imperfecta and is said to be a very smart little girl.  Rochelle’s diagnosis is not as clear, but she is not able to walk independently as her legs are not strong enough.  Rochelle is a creative little girl with artistic talent many of us wish we had.

Aren’t we all curious what these two are chatting about? Seeing these two girl enjoying the sweet smiles and giggles of childhood is so touching.   Both girls are on the shared list and are available for adoption now.  We hope that we can spread the word about these two friends to help their families find them so that their unique abilities can be fostered for life.

If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together.. there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. but the most important thing is, even if we’re apart…I’ll always be with you. –Winnie the Pooh

Love Without Boundaries proudly advocates for adoption but is not an adoption agency. We invite you to contact adoptionassistance@lwbmail.com with questions about a child we have featured and encourage you to contact your local adoption agency for more information about China’s Waiting Child Program.