Have you ever had a moment where you find that you are exactly where you are supposed to be? That moment where you stop long enough to realize that your heart is singing? I had several of those moments during my first trip to Ukraine. But one in particular will always stay with me.
You see.....In certain areas of the world, the detrimental societal barriers against children with intellectual and developmental disabilities are present from the very day they are born. In some instances, children with disabilities are not deemed worthy of an official record or identification from the government. Though Ukraine has a more advanced system, the children with disabilities that are abandoned to orphanages are often left with little more information than their names and birth dates. For many of the boys at Romaniv, the concept of a birthday, let alone celebrating one, is strange and unknown. But during my stay in Ukraine, that all changed.
I had the privilege of participating in an extraordinary celebration for all of the boys' birthdays at Romaniv. It was quite an undertaking for MTU's disability team. They had been planning this visit for weeks - buying and preparing gifts, organizing games, creating costumes, and gathering supplies. But the day finally came. There was excitement and energy in the air as we hustled around the dining area to put up the decorations and set out the chairs for the boys. When everything was ready, two volunteers from a local church went to get the boys. Smiling and laughing as they entered, the room became ablaze with beautiful chaos. They were everywhere - marveling at the decorations and eager to snatch up the games. As the leaders gained control over the crowd of enraptured boys, the party began.
During the next hour I watched as the boys participated in the games and even engaged in a short lesson on the seasons of the year. After the lessons we brought out the cakes - six beautiful cakes lit with candles. Passing out the plates I began to notice that some of the boys didn't know how to use the plastic forks that we provided them with and resorted to using their hands. I have never seen anyone eat cake so quickly - how wonderful that sugary cake must have tasted on those sweet lips!
After cake, the MTU team passed out donated Target bags to each boy. As they tore into the bags they found winter hats and gloves. They stared in wonder at the gifts - the fact that the hats and gloves were so practical and utilitarian made no difference. They were treasures - one of the few gifts in life they would ever receive.
Thinking back on those moments, I can't help but be overwhelmingly honored to be a part of that day. I got to witness something that most of these boys had never experienced: someone celebrating their life. The proud and dignified smile knowing that the gifts were theirs to keep - the light in their eyes as the candles were blown out - the glow in their face when tasting cake for the first time.....my heart sings when I think back on those moments.
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