99 balloons international?

by Matt MooneyFebruary 9, 2010

…has a ring doesn’t it?

The board of 99 balloons is looking at the possibility of expanding the vision of what we are currently doing.  I gotta say, it is exciting to dream.  We are examining various ways to make an impact locally, nationally, and internationally.  I’ve got a meeting with some friends this Thursday who are doing great things in the Ukraine, take a look at the video for more.

Also, we would love to hear of projects and organization currently engaged in helping special needs children and families as we look to expand, so let us know if there is something you think we should look into.

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/8946675[/vimeo]

6,790 Comments

  1. Cynthia on February 11, 2010 at 12:39 pm

    Hey Matt. These orphans, whether in Ukraine or Uganda NEED sevices like this. It will help their ‘special needs’ and in turn help with their attachment issues that MANY {if not ALL} of these children come HOME with. The earlier they are reached…the better their chances in life, with love. I have no degree in special education. I am just a mom to 4 little girls and a foster parent. We are hoping to add to our family through adoption but the fear attachment issues in children through international adoption is sometimes too great. Right now we are waiting on God to make a clear path for us. In this video is a little boy named ‘Alex’. He had spina bifida and was adopted by an amazing family. I firmly believe that God has a plan for EACH of the children in this video. Getting to these children with therapy {and love} can only BETTER their chances at a ‘normal’ life.



  2. Hannah on February 11, 2010 at 5:24 pm

    Matt,
    I’m not sure if you remember, but I talked to you about expanding 99 Balloons via email. I’m so glad it’s becoming reality for you guys…99b deserves to go big. Let me know if there is anyway I can help.



  3. Heather on February 11, 2010 at 8:11 pm

    Exciting as you look for opportunities to share your resources, and your amazing story with others. Have you thought about using 99 balloons and the services you can offer to support homeschooling families with special needs children? There are many homeschoolers that do not use (for one reason or another) public services either from the school district or the state for assistance. Big need out there for those kids.



  4. Heather on February 16, 2010 at 12:20 pm

    There is a school in GA that goes beyond the call to help those with special needs: http://www.steppingstonesschool.org/ I think they would be interested in hearing about the recess program as one they might be able to use here in GA.



  5. Sara Terral on March 9, 2010 at 1:22 pm

    Found a link to an organization featured in a recent “People” magazine. It’s called Reece’s Rainbow and its primary focus is locating adoptive families for children born with Down Syndrome in overseas countries. Their outlook is bleak, with many given up at or shortly after birth. They are trying to set up support networks for parents of children with Down Syndrome in the countries they serve in an effort to encourage more to keep their special needs children. Interestingly enough, found out as I looked at the blog, 3-5 years of age is a critical time for many of these children with many transitioning to institutions at age 6 and, subsequently, becoming “unadoptable” not merely in the sense that they are seen as less “desirable” by prospective families after that period of time, but some countries truly won’t allow adoption after the child reaches a certain age and/or is transitioned into “state” institutions. They are doing some neat things, mission trips, setting up fundraisers to “equip” orphanages with the materials they need (i.e., materials that support motor development and oral-motor skills), sponsoring individual children with funds for their adoptions, but the need is so much more vast than even I would have imagined. Definitely worth looking into as you consider “international” opportunities for expansion of what you guys have already started.
    Can see where “99 Balloons” would certainly support their vision of providing support for the birth families (possibly translated) and helping the families to see the “gift” that is their child with special needs. Would love to know what you think about it after reviewing the information. http://www.reecesrainbow.com



…has a ring doesn’t it?

The board of 99 balloons is looking at the possibility of expanding the vision of what we are currently doing.  I gotta say, it is exciting to dream.  We are examining various ways to make an impact locally, nationally, and internationally.  I’ve got a meeting with some friends this Thursday who are doing great things in the Ukraine, take a look at the video for more.

Also, we would love to hear of projects and organization currently engaged in helping special needs children and families as we look to expand, so let us know if there is something you think we should look into.

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/8946675[/vimeo]

6,790 Comments

  1. Cynthia on February 11, 2010 at 12:39 pm

    Hey Matt. These orphans, whether in Ukraine or Uganda NEED sevices like this. It will help their ‘special needs’ and in turn help with their attachment issues that MANY {if not ALL} of these children come HOME with. The earlier they are reached…the better their chances in life, with love. I have no degree in special education. I am just a mom to 4 little girls and a foster parent. We are hoping to add to our family through adoption but the fear attachment issues in children through international adoption is sometimes too great. Right now we are waiting on God to make a clear path for us. In this video is a little boy named ‘Alex’. He had spina bifida and was adopted by an amazing family. I firmly believe that God has a plan for EACH of the children in this video. Getting to these children with therapy {and love} can only BETTER their chances at a ‘normal’ life.



  2. Hannah on February 11, 2010 at 5:24 pm

    Matt,
    I’m not sure if you remember, but I talked to you about expanding 99 Balloons via email. I’m so glad it’s becoming reality for you guys…99b deserves to go big. Let me know if there is anyway I can help.



  3. Heather on February 11, 2010 at 8:11 pm

    Exciting as you look for opportunities to share your resources, and your amazing story with others. Have you thought about using 99 balloons and the services you can offer to support homeschooling families with special needs children? There are many homeschoolers that do not use (for one reason or another) public services either from the school district or the state for assistance. Big need out there for those kids.



  4. Heather on February 16, 2010 at 12:20 pm

    There is a school in GA that goes beyond the call to help those with special needs: http://www.steppingstonesschool.org/ I think they would be interested in hearing about the recess program as one they might be able to use here in GA.



  5. Sara Terral on March 9, 2010 at 1:22 pm

    Found a link to an organization featured in a recent “People” magazine. It’s called Reece’s Rainbow and its primary focus is locating adoptive families for children born with Down Syndrome in overseas countries. Their outlook is bleak, with many given up at or shortly after birth. They are trying to set up support networks for parents of children with Down Syndrome in the countries they serve in an effort to encourage more to keep their special needs children. Interestingly enough, found out as I looked at the blog, 3-5 years of age is a critical time for many of these children with many transitioning to institutions at age 6 and, subsequently, becoming “unadoptable” not merely in the sense that they are seen as less “desirable” by prospective families after that period of time, but some countries truly won’t allow adoption after the child reaches a certain age and/or is transitioned into “state” institutions. They are doing some neat things, mission trips, setting up fundraisers to “equip” orphanages with the materials they need (i.e., materials that support motor development and oral-motor skills), sponsoring individual children with funds for their adoptions, but the need is so much more vast than even I would have imagined. Definitely worth looking into as you consider “international” opportunities for expansion of what you guys have already started.
    Can see where “99 Balloons” would certainly support their vision of providing support for the birth families (possibly translated) and helping the families to see the “gift” that is their child with special needs. Would love to know what you think about it after reviewing the information. http://www.reecesrainbow.com