what is the big deal? Someone somewhere will cadre for him...right? The Orphanage (that houses on average 45-75 kids) can feed him, and change him. He will grow up to be let free onto the streets with rudimentary education and experience, to fend for himself and learn on his own what he must do to survive. Most likely, he will become a father at the age of his peers 12-16. And the cycle continues.
Peter was a bed-baby, meaning it was more work to get him out of the bed, and keep track of him then the workers had time for. So he stayed in the bed. He was fed, and occasionally he was attended to.
This by no means is a slight on the orphanage workers, they had 60 other mouths to feed, and by and Large Peter's needs were minuscule in comparison to the many other needs.
Peter had very little language exposure, he was not diagnosed as deaf until in his 3rd year. Most likely it is due to recurrent infections and possibly a herpes virus.
So what is the big deal?
Peter had a severely enlarged spleen that made it so he had to be fed via IV. The hospital is not equipped to keep him overnight, so they would travel by bus with a very sick, lethargic and feverish onto a crowded city bus to travel just to get him the fluids to keep him alive.
The Dr.'s in Liberia knew if he did not get his Malaria attended to, his spleen would not be able to endure more stress, and he would die.
So what is the big deal?
Peter came to the US. he got emergency medical care, he has recovered and is doing well, he eats, plays, runs, and is communicating beautifully with ASL.
Peter was 24 lbs at 3 years old. that is approximately a 12-18 month old size.
Peter got a flu bug in February, and it wiped him out by 7 pounds. He dropped almost a pund a day while he was ill.
So what is the big deal about Peter?
If Peter can not even tolerate a minor illness, such as the flu, how do you think he will handle Malaria again?
He won't.
He is just one child.
His needs are many, but manageable.
So what is the big deal about Peter?
Peter is my son.
Peter is worth fighting for.
Peter, and all the sweet children that come into this world....DESERVE a safe place to grow. They Deserve a family, a bed and all the love that can be dolled out.
Peter will not get these basic necessary needs met if forced to return to Liberia's Orphanage.
Help us, Help Peter.
