Endeavor Games Continued

We just came back from the closing ceremonies of the Endeavor Games. Wow. Wow. Wow!

We have had a packed schedule the last couple of days and are exhausted but oh so happy. It's going to take a while to process everything- the amazing people we've met, deep conversations, inspiring stories, witness to phenomenal victories as athletes over come significant challenges... It's easy to say that this has been a life-changing event.

Most impactful is the obvious- that Elias has had the opportunity to be surrounded with others who are like him. I've loved to see all the kids (and adults too) compare prosthetics. No one stares. No incessant questions. Legs lying around all over the place like it's the most normal thing in the world. :-) He has been so free to be himself.

There are many pictures and lots of stories to tell. But it's late and this hotel internet is slow. Here are a few pics for now. Stay tuned for more once we're home and rested.

Hanging out with new friends

Having some fun before the races start

Hanging out with the "competition" in the runners tent

The big 60m race!

2009 Endeavor Games

It's been forever since we've posted anything and there is so much to talk about- travels around Texas and to New York, swimming, summer time fun, Family Day 2009, etc. But for now I just have to post a few pics from our first afternoon at the 2009 Endeavor Games.

We found out about the Endeavor Games a few weeks ago and jumped on the opportunity to come and be surrounded by amputee athletes (and those with other disabilities) from all over the world. This couldn't have come at a better time for Elias who is starting to really struggle with being "different" and wishing he had "two yellow legs like Mom."

We arrived in Oklahoma this afternoon and attended a running clinic. Elias had post-nap grump and it took him a while to warm up. Actually he acted quite serious the whole time and hardly ever even cracked a smile. I think it was a lot for him to take in, seeing all these amputees of all ages and sizes running and exercising around the track.

I took him on the track to show him where he would be running in his 60m race on Saturday. We did a few practice runs, but then he said he wanted to run with the other athletes. So, he bravely went and asked the fastest guy out there if he would run with him on the track.

The guy was so kind to Elias. He took some time to give him a few tips and coach him a little, then they ran the track together. He had some very encouraging and inspiring words for Elias that I hope he remembers for the rest of his years.

Tomorrow we'll practice more at the track, watch an amputee basketball tournament, watch some swimming, and then participate in the Opening Ceremonies. Saturday morning is Elias' big race, then we'll spend the rest of the weekend watching the other events.

This is exciting stuff!

World AIDS Orphans Day

Today, May 7, is World Aids Orphans Day. The magnitude of the orphan crisis overwhelms me to the point of paralysis sometimes. The statistics alone boggle my mind; I can't even comprehend the reality of these all these numerical digits connected to the word "AIDS orphans". Numbers like these...

• There are over 15 million children orphaned by AIDS living around the world RIGHT NOW. 15 million is the equivalent to the number of all of the people living in New York, Paris, and Bangkok combined. That is an awful lot of children.
• Well over 12 million AIDS orphans live in Sub-Saharan Africa, alone.
• Experts believe that millions more orphans remain unaccounted for in India, China and Russia.
• At least 10 million more children will be orphans by AIDS by 2010.

When we visited AHOPE we fell in love with the sweetest girl named Belane. We later learned that she was one of the first children to be adopted by a family in the U.S. Her mother is now working for AAI to facilitate the adoption of children at AHOPE and her blog post today is excellent and gives great ideas of what I, you, WE can do to make an impact. She includes this quote in her post from Rich Stearns, President of World Vision, US:

"I believe that this could very well be looked back on as the sin of our generation. I look at my parents and ask, where were they during the civil rights movement? I look at my grandparents and ask, what were they doing when the holocaust in Europe was occurring with regard to the Jews, and why didn't they speak up? And when we think of our great, great, great-grandparents, we think how could they have sat by and allowed slavery to exist? And I believe that our children and their children, 40 or 50 years from now, are going to ask me, what did you do while 40 million children became orphans in Africa?"

I think about my own son Elias, a former orphan. When I see him run and jump and feel him snuggle in to my neck to whisper "I love you Mom", I can't fathom the former life he had during the first 16 months of life. I can barely stand to think about the circumstances that led to his birth grandmother caring for him for as long as she could before she made the most unselfish decision on earth to take him to Sele Enat orphanage to be given up for adoption. I mean, it's almost phyically difficult for me to even type these words.

The reality is that now this boy is MY son and I have the honor to be his mom. I get to witness the way God's redemption and grace plays out in his life on a daily basis and the way he touches and loves people all around us, all the time. I get to laugh my head off at his funny jokes and fix him his favorite foods and drive matchbox cars around the couch together and even wipe his bottom.

But who is going to do that for the millions of children around the world who don't have a mom and dad to care for them?

I love the quote that AAI's director has as her tag line on her email signature: "Adoption doesn't change the world. But it can change the world for one child."

Adoption isn't the answer though. Solving the AIDS crisis is. Some might say you just don't have that "calling." I'd argue though that you do. We all do.

Don't know where to start? Here are a few ideas from Erin's post: Educate yourself and spread the word, sponsor an orphan, sponsor an organization that supports orphans and their communities, or even consider adoption.

There are lots of blog posts and articles today, May 7, about World AIDS Orphan Day. Maybe next year there will be even ten times the number, because many of us have spread the word. ANd perhaps even just two years from now, the statistics will be going down, not up. And a decade from now? Maybe there won't even be this World AIDS Orphan Day thing.

Drop Off at the Governor's

Many people across Texas have been hard at work getting petitions signed to show support of the House Bill that will grant coverage for prosthetics for amputees. As I talked about here, this will have a huge impact on the lives of many, many amputees!

My mom was a champion, collecting signatures everywhere she went, including the mechanic and copy store. Thanks Mom!

Several thousand signatures were collected in just over a week. Last Friday we headed back to the Capitol to meet with a few others in the Governor's office to deliver the petitions.

It was great to see our new friends. The adult amputees are encouraged and energized by Elias and how incredibly well he is does with all his running and jumping around. And Elias equally enjoys being around these other amputees and checking out their cool prosthetics.

In Front of the Texas State Capitol

Presenting the Signatures to the Governor's Aide
Signing the Governor's Reception Book

Elias' favorite amputee friend, Frieda

The bill has officially passed through the Senate and will become final when it is signed by the governor in the next few days. Hoorah! This will be a huge benefit to Elias for the rest of his life and we are so grateful towards those who dedicated their time for the last two years to make this a reality for 30,000 amputees across the state of Texas.

Our First Venture into Politics

Elias and I had the unique opportunity to testify before a Texas Senate committee this past Wednesday regarding the need for insurance companies to cover prosthetics. Currently there are no mandates for insurance companies to pay for prosthetics, which is obviously a necessity and not a luxury.

Prosthetics are expensive! Elias' leg costs between $11,000-$15,000. And he needs a new one every 10 months or so. His current insurance policy only covers $2500 per year. That's it.

We once tried to get an independent policy for Elias. He was denied coverage by every single company. It was very discouraging!

We are very fortunate that we have the option to pay for his prosthetics at cost, and Chase has been able to swing some deals where we get some stuff for free (like Elias $1500 foot) in exchange for our input on the product. The great majority of people though do not have this advantage.

So a group of amputees in Texas have been working hard to get legislation passed that requires insurance companies to cover prosthetics at a reasonable amount. House Bill 806 was being voted on this week by the Senate committee so Elias and I were asked 24 hours in advance if we would go and testify.

Being there in the Capitol with a group of amputees, all of us passionate about our cause, was an incredible experience. We had the opportunity to testify before the committee and then visit the offices of a couple of the Senators. It was wild to be there in the middle of all the political activity and overhear all the coversations between legislators and lobbyists and citizens.

Best of all was getting to meet and connect with other amputees and hear their stories. Elias hit it off with an 11-year-old boy named Drew who lost his leg due to cancer at the age of six. The boys compared Mr. Stumpies and Elias got to ride in a wheelchair with him which was the highlight of his day. (Drew doesn't have a prosthetic leg right now because his new one is currently being made). These connections are always so significant for us and we're already making plans to go to San Antonio to see one of Drew's baseball games.

Here are a few pictures of our day. They were taken with my phone so aren't the greatest of quality, but I think you'll get the idea.

Elias and Drew become fast friends

Elias sits with others while they testify (I spoke later)

Future Senator Brown

Learning to Ride a Bike

We got Elias a new bike and helmet for Christmas. He hadn't really been into bike riding yet since he wasn't able to pedal on his own. But we figured a new bike and flaming helmet would help his motivation. We were right.

Chase customized the pedals on Elias' bike for him so that he can strap his feet in to help with pedaling. Now that he's getting the hang of it he wants to ride it everyday!

He forgets to steer most of the time because he's concentrating on getting his feet to go around and around. But that's okay. This is a huge accomplishment for him and we're so proud!

A new family tradition

The whole fam participated in the Capitol 10K race today. It was a blast!

Chase's mom, "Lulo", came into town this weekend and decided to walk the race, which was significant since she just finished her chemo treatments not long ago. It's awesome to have her healthy and active again!

Over 18,000 people participated in the race. It was really crowded the entire 6.2 miles and a little hard to navigate a clunky stroller through all those people. But Elias had a great time and I'm so glad we decided to push him along with us.

The highlight of the race was when Chase had to wait in line for TWENTY MINUTES to use the port-a-potty. Right in the middle of the race! Argh. I got a picture of that while I waited not very patiently on the sidewalk.

Elias got out of the stroller at the end and ran across the finish line. He loved it and kept saying "I won! I won!"

Definitely a new family tradition for the Browns.