Sutton Christian Eledge

Normally families are not allowed to visit the orphanage.  So I was very surprised this morning when Tracy told us we would go to visit the pediatrician at the orphanage. 

There are three buildings that make up the orphanage.  The first building is administrative offices and the doctor.  The two buildings behind that house the babies and children.  Not only were we allowed to go into the administrative building, but one of the administrators that is in charge of foster care invited us to tour the building Sutton lived in for the first year of his life. 

We met Sutton's aunties and some of the children.  I could tell that they all really love Sutton.  They were thrilled to see him back for a visit.   I could also tell that I am much gentler with him than he is used to.  They kept poking him hard and were extremely loud with him, and he just laughed and smiled.  They also kept pulling his hands out of his mouth, and one auntie slapped his hands repeatedly very hard.

I think the nannies are very loving, and they are doing the best they can for the children.  There are just so many children that there is no way to provide for more than their most basic needs.  I also didn't see any children that were not special needs, and special needs babies require even more time.

The saddest part of the tour was when I realized that there was no crying and only one child (who had just had his cleft lip repaired) made any noise at all.  Some babies were in cribs with IVs in the room next to Sutton's.  In Sutton's room all the babies were in seats on the floor.  Even when I talked to them and touched them, they didn't make a noise.

Before we left, they gave me the laminated ID card that had been on Sutton's crib.  Of course, I have no idea what it says.  Pictures are never allowed within the orphanage, but they made an exception this one time.