Nancy's Email from China

Good Morning Dear Readers. Nancy Lawton Shirley and Qiuxia Hu are in Hangzhou this week checking on the progress of RTC's program in Hangzhou. We are thrilled to get this update and we wanted to share it with all of you. Have a tissue handy!

From Nancy to Kiki about Children at Hangzhou – 4/11/11

Dear Kiki: I wish that you could have come to see the fruits of your hard labor! I had tears in my eyes all morning as I witnessed more transformation in all areas (baby, toddler, conductive ed, foster). Despite lack of adequate staffing numbers, they have found ways to support the children. Everywhere I went I saw happy children's faces, no shut down, children engaged. It may not be perfect, but what they understand about the children's needs has made a big difference. They understand environment set up, sensory needs, and the need for physical exercises and rehab. They bought boppies ( small rubber seats with trays), smaller high chairs, and corner chairs on their own for the baby unit!! The children looked great! What Nannies they have really have been well trained by the orphanage staff. I saw compassion and skill!

They LOVE the walkers!!! I saw the children using them–and demanding to use them! They have made a big difference for the two children–and they need more of that exact type. One girl who just arrived at the orphanage in Dec. is now walking short distances even without it!! (She didn't walk at all when she came--so the walker and the rehab have been a huge benefit to her!)  So your PT things are really being used! 

I am so glad you were able to be here for the last several years! Your contribution to this project is significant and the project really is VERY successful! Thank you!!!!

From Nancy to Cheryl & Jane about Children – 4/11/11

Hi! Just wanted to share more about today. I am pretty spent. The emotional intensity of things was so high today–for all of us. The realization that the orphanage is really moving towards better skills and programs was so moving. So many good things are happening here for the children despite the staffing shortages. The boy that broke my heart last Oct. unglued me today. Last October he had just been abandoned (at age 3) just the week before we arrived. He has cerebral palsy and had difficulties with his hands and legs. He was terrified and so sad–totally traumatized. And he was smart. I could hardly handle it. I was so afraid he would give up. I was afraid that he would disconnect from the world. Today I saw him in the special rehab preschool–and he remembered me! He was all smiles and he was obviously so happy to be in preschool! He has learned to belly crawl and his hand use is getting better. Clearly the staff has been working with him for rehab. Clearly he felt connected to those around him. He made every trip I have made to China worth it.

The stories like this one were multitude. One little girl came this December and did not walk or talk at age 5. She now walks with her new walker and is walking for short periods independently. She is beginning to talk. This is just the beginning of April…this means the orphanage staff is doing a great job!!!

Another child would cry and cry if anyone but her foster mom held her or even looked at her. Now she is playful and smiles and wants attention! She fully participates in the special preschool program–helping her classmates and participating with the teacher!

Another child was in foster care and didn't  show any awareness of his left arm and hand. We had trained the foster mom in brushing and joint compressions last March. Now he is using his left spontaneously during play! Foster moms are showing enthusiasm for their children and the rehab plans. They are showing nice skills with the children…and it is really showing in the children's progress. The model appears to be working!

My heart is amazed and so happy!!! Thank you Red Thread Charities for the vision of it all!!!

Boom Boom Pow...Table Tennis Wow!!!

Next Saturday join us for a fun Red Thread Charities fundraiser in collaboration with the U of M Table Tennis team! Volunteers are gearing up to make this a great family event! Mounds Park Academy is a gorgous facility and we already have almost 40 participants in the table tennis competition!  I can't wait to watch the action!  Check out the flyer and bring friends and family!

Brief history of Ping Pong

According to historic accounts, Chairman Mao loved Table Tennis, commonly known as Ping Pong.  He ordered cement ping pong tables to be built in parks all across China.  As a result, the Chinese people became very proficient!  The sport hit a zenith in 1971, when China invited Japan to a Ping Pong tounament and opened their doors to a group of Americans. They were the first group of Americans to be allowed into mainland China since the communist takeover in 1949.  Today, nearly every school in China has a ping pong table for the kids to practice on during recess. While traveling with another group of Americans...(RTC)... Kiki Dickinson snapped this photo at a school we visited in Beijing.  Oh, by the way...these kids were good...really good.  I sincerely hope you can join us on March 5th!  (See previous post)

Boom Boom Pow! Ping Pong Now!

Table Tennis? Yes,TABLE TENNIS!! Please mark your calendar for the first ever Table Tennis Tournament benefiting Red Thread Charities. We are teaming up with the University of Minnesota Table Tennis Team for an afternoon of fun! Come to watch the professionals play! Get some professional training and advice! Bring your own paddles to play like champions! It is an event for everyone in the family!!  Soup, salad and snacks available for purchase!  We'll be posting the flier soon!

Save the Date!!!    Saturday, March 5 2011 at Mounds Park Academy  

Double Happiness!

Shuang Xin Li Men, literally translated means "Double Happiness Comes through the Door" with your support RTC will continue to cross thresholds by "Connecting Lives... Creating Futures" for children with special needs in Chinese orphanages and foster homes. Your gift will be doubled/matched by the support of our generous anonymous donors, up to $10,500 by donating on line at givenmn.org or by check dated through November 16.  All gifts in any amount are welcome.    http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Red-Thread-Charities

Red Thread Charities

redthreadcharities.org 

6632 West Shore Drive

Edina, MN  55435

Red Scarves to Red Guards

Sunday's event 

Well, Danling did it again! Her talk on Sunday about growing up in China during the Cultural Revolution held an audience of over 100 people spellbound!  I think about Danling's life as a teenager, forced away from her parents and school to work in the fields for long hours every day while being "re educated". I think about what her parents went through, forced away from their school aged sons who were left to fend for themselves...how they worried to the point of desperation.  Who could live through torture like this?  Amazingly, Danling and her family did live through this.  Her parents and brothers are alive and well in Beijing.  Danling has gone on to help countless people, myself included, adopt children from China.  She founded Red Thread Charities which has helped so many children live more fulfilled lives in orphanges in China.  Thank you to all who donate to our cause!  And thank you Danling, for everything you do!          

Danling and her mother.  Oct 2010

Another entry from our resident travel blogger, Tom

Yesterday, (actually 2 weeks ago) Tuesday in Beijing the weather was perfect, mid 60's to 70's and blue skies. We took in the Hutong area on our first outing leaving in heavy traffic around 9:00 am.  We had a rickshaw tour through the alleys of households that dated back to the Ming dynasty. This was a chance to see the ancient lifestyle that still exists today, despite the Olympic building program and an increase in high rise contruction..bikes everywhere, cars all over and lots of places in reconstruction..property goes for outrageous prices..in the millions for an apartment. Many share bathrooms and are lucky to have a place here.

From there we got dropped off and hiked to the Drum Tower (google it) and ancient time keeping building..the spot of the Bachman tradgedy in the 08 Olympics..Later we had lunch with a family..Homemade dishes spun around on a Lazy Susan..needless to say it made many stops in front of me..I am getting pretty good at the use of chop sticks..We got back to our hotel to check out around 2:00 pm and then off to Tian'men Square..the largest public square in the world..The square was filled with people and guards were scattered about. The size of the square is staggering and the  huge screen depicting scenes from  China was the screen seen during the Olympics. Across the way is the Forbidden City. Commoners were forbidden to enter and would be punished by death. It was home of the Ming and Qing dynasty emperor till the end of the Ming Dynasty in 1911. A day here might be enough to see all the courtyards and art collections. We had about 2 hours..then were off to Pearl City where shops are pilled on one another and bargaining is a blast..Later we had dinner and then made our way to the train station..Will down load some photos later... the food has been outstanding...I need to watch myself.  Tom