teamMarius

We apologize that there has been little on the Marius front for some time. But much has been happening and we are excited to share the things that have been happening there in Marius' world and here in ours. There is so much good, I'm not sure where to begin.

We just had a new group of university students arrive who apparently know all about Marius and his situation. They have been to visit him two days in a row! and have asked what types of things he enjoyed doing and what they could do to help. We are so excited for their arrival and for all of the new friends Marius will gain this semester. I have asked if they would help us by writing updates and that we would post them to the site. So look forward to those in the coming days and weeks.

Our team member in Romania, Teo, has sent good news on the custody front. After reviewing the different input from letters written by the family, by the team and by the doctors, Child Protection there in Galati says it looks like Ionut will be getting custody. We were so elated as a team. We have been working hard to provide the necessary documentation that would be helpful for them from our end (sponsorship, medical letters , etc) and then trying to be patient with the process. Last week Teo talked with the representative who has the case and it is looking really good. We are hopeful the entire process will take about six more weeks and then depending on how his legs and bottom are looking, we hope to be able to fly him here to the US shortly after that.

The organization, Cry in the Dark, who has donated the initial flights to the US, also offered to have a nurse come to assess Marius and see if there is anything she can suggest for the healing process and for the plane flight, which will be long and difficult for his little body. We were grateful for their help there and will update you on his physical progress as we know more. He has been receiving cream treatments every other day that are apparently working wonders on his little legs. We were so excited about that. Teo also says that his pain levels seem to be minimal over the last week and that his sense of humor is really kicking in. I think she mentioned that he was even doing a little prank calling to her and Maricica if I understood correctly! As we all know, a good sense of humor will help him in all that he is up against in the future.

There has recently been some great happenings on the US/Romanian front. We have termed it the "mobilization of Romanian troops" as it has been a great unfolding of Romanians and Romanian speakers here in the US offering their assistance when Marius comes. A Romanian friend by the name of Gabriela whose family came from Romania has been a key player in getting Marius story out and rallying those in California that may be able to help over these next long months and years. She contacted a family friend who is a Romanian priest in northern California who has many, many contacts in the southern California, the Phoenix, and the San Diego areas. After speaking with him, I was so impressed at the tight knit Romanian culture here in the US. Our hopes are that we will have some Romanian friends to meet him with Marius and Ionuts periodically and talk with them while Marius spends time in the hospital there. We hope that there are a few Romanian grandmothers willing to make sarmale or other local foods, to help make Marius feel at home. We have also recruited a list of those willing to volunteer as translators. This is wonderful in order to provide Ionut with a support group of familiarilty as well. This will help Ionut to understand the medical treatment available and the procedures that will be performed.

We will post more on the custody front as soon as we have info and on Marius' progress physically. We have arranged a "McDonald's" party for Wednesday evening and Jessica and Ashley will be calling in to talk with Marius once again. We are excited about all the progress so far and thank all of you for your continued support.

Kristin