So today I took Anna to the dermatologist to see about this little bump she has on her nose. To make the appointment, I just called up the first guy that my insurance showed would be approved, and his office is at Children's Hospital in Denver.
End tangent.
After leaving Children's, I stopped by Starbucks (which I have all of once a year or so) to get Anna a hot chocolate and mini scone. I told her she'd lived with a bump on her nose for the past several months, and was a great companion this morning, so she ought to have a treat. :) You'd think I'd given her a million dollars. (And I have to admit, as I sipped my annual peppermint white mocha I felt like I'd been given a million dollars too. :) )
When I got there, I discovered that I apparently booked an appointment with the chief pediatric dermatologist there. Ha! I felt like I really got my copay's worth.
And can I just say that this hospital is A.MAZ.ING? Oh my goodness. It's ranked as one of the best children's hospitals in the country, and the facility is seriously remarkable. The doc was super nice, and prescribed a topical medication that'll make her nose get all red and irritated, and then hopefully the thing will go away. He actually couldn't say exactly what the bump is, so he wanted to start with this.
Poor Anna is tired of kids (and adults) asking her, "What's on your nose?", and I don't blame her. But honestly I think I'll miss the bump a little bit when it's gone.
Begin tangential discussion:
Today I was reminded of the crazy huge blessing it is to live in a nation where we have access to quality medical care. Maybe it's that I've been thinking about Haiti...or that I have the perpetual medical needs adoption bug...but I couldn't help picturing all the children sitting in orphanages around the world who need a family, and medical care. I read today that many, many people are stepping forward saying they want to adopt a Haitian child orphaned by the earthquake. Who knows how/if that will come to pass what with all the legal/ethical issues involved, but I find myself desperately wishing that people would step forward like this for all the children waiting for families around the world, orphaned by AIDS and the effects of poverty and disease. My goodness, what if we all just said enough is enough with the global orphan crisis, and got approved for foster care, or began the international adoption process? Kids are waiting. Waiting. There are no lines, or long waiting lists for families. The process isn't too hard for you to navigate. You're not too old/young. There are grants available, and organizations that can help you fundraise.
End tangent.
After leaving Children's, I stopped by Starbucks (which I have all of once a year or so) to get Anna a hot chocolate and mini scone. I told her she'd lived with a bump on her nose for the past several months, and was a great companion this morning, so she ought to have a treat. :) You'd think I'd given her a million dollars. (And I have to admit, as I sipped my annual peppermint white mocha I felt like I'd been given a million dollars too. :) )
10 comments:
That's a really cute picture. Starbucks sounds lovely too, but I would go for a white chocolate mocha.
Yep, white mochas are my favorite. But the peppermint is certainly a nice touch!!!
That picture was taken the day Mary came home from the hospital. Can't believe it's been 3 months!
Hi! I'm new to your blog, but I have to cheer you on today! I might just put your BOLD statement on my facebook status!
It's funny how many people have asked if we are considering adopting in Haiti now. We've already adopted 3 kids and our friends with 1 child ask this. Ummm....maybe it's time for THEM to give it a go, right?!?
Hi Kelly! It's nice to "meet" you. :) And I agree, it seems everyone is talking about adoption right now. I so hope some of these families decide to really, truly consider adopting! There's no time like the present, right?
I really have grown to appreciate Children's Hospital's since we've used the one in L.A. and Kansas City now. I've heard the one in Denver is great too...
Quick question: I'm sure you've covered this before in some previous blog post, but why do [seemingly] prefer international adoption over stateside? I'm interested in your thought process...
I'm with you on the Haiti adoption thing. I can't believe how many people I've heard saying they want to adopt a "cute little Haitian baby." I think it's wonderful that they've been moved with compassion, but I wish they'd have been a little more understanding and supportive of us when we shared our adoption plans before the Haiti disaster. It would be wonderful if many of them follow through, and if things don't work out with Haiti, I hope they'll consider some of the countless other children who need families.
Jenny, there is definitely a huge need for foster families in the US, and for people to adopt (usually older) children out of the system. (It is a huge myth that there are lots of babies up for adoption in the US. There are an average of 20 couples waiting for every infant put up for adoption.)
And while I don't think there's a way to really quantify need, a child born with HIV in Ethiopia for example, and who is orphaned, has literally no prospects once they age of the system. None. No public assistance, or welfare or food stamps. No unemployment office or homeless shelters. Most orphans in developing countries, if they age out, end up on the streets or in prostitution. The suicide rate is high. If they have medical needs, access to medication and help is EXTREMELY limited.
People think international adoption is popular and trendy. But I disagree because millions of children are still sitting around the world without families. It's expensive. A lot of people don't want to parent kids with medical needs, or who are a different race than them. A lot of people also have a "let's take care of 'our own' first" mentality which I disagree with. If children need families, they need families, period.
That's a quick, off-the-top-of-my-head answer!
Janee, I know. It's bizarre. Truly, truly strange.
Hi Brianna, I check out your blog periodically and enjoy it. My husband and I have really considered adoption and I would be really open to international, but we just can't afford it. Do you know any places that can help with that or that are cheaper than others? Thanks for being a blessing! K.E.
Hi K.E.! I know, it is very expensive. There are grants available from different organizations--many of them are for "waiting children"--either kids who are older, or who have medical needs. There are also loans that are low interest that people take out. And, different agencies do have different fees.
My email address is briannaheldt at hotmail dot com (sorry, trying to avoid spam!) Please email me and we can talk about specifics! So glad to "meet" you! :)
I second everything you said and have made these points many times to people who have said rude things about int'l adoption.
About the $ for adoption...it's funny how it turned up every time we needed it and prayed for it. I would wonder how on earth we would make that next payment and then something would happen that would help us get by. It was just meant to be.
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