The Russian Childcare Project (This made me sick to my stomach).

Christian Solidarity Worldwide ^

[MereChristian]

On a visit to Moscow in 1990, Baroness Cox, President of CSW, was made aware of the plight of children in State care. About half a million of them were (and most still are) living in large, old, State Institutions. Baroness Cox was asked by some concerned Russian childcare professionals to research the legitimacy of these children being placed in such conditions.

The results of the research were published in the report “Trajectories of Despair”. It showed that two thirds of the children in these institutions had been wrongly diagnosed as oligophrenic (small-brained) and were in fact of normal developmental ability. The test to determine whether or not children are oligophrenic lasts just a few minutes, occurs very early in life and is rarely reviewed. The effects of such a diagnosis usually last a life-time.

Oligophrenics are denied a proper education, choice of jobs and other basic human rights such as the right to vote and to drive vehicles. Many are sent to psychiatric hospitals where they may be treated with drugs, causing considerable trauma and suffering. Their chances for a normal life are virtually destroyed.

Full article:

http://www.csw.org.uk/ourfamily.htm

[MereChristian]

The article speaks for itself.

[DTogo]

Very sad indeed.

[SittinYonder]

This is shocking and tragic. I can't imagine how awful this must be. You expected things like this in the 1800s, but not today, not even in Russia.

[SittinYonder]

Bribes and skimming of government money is taken for granted.

Well, it did say UNICEF is funding a portion of the research, so I guess there's no surprise if money is being misdirected!

[MereChristian]

I would like to know why they are institutionalizing so many children. 2/3 of the children turned out to be normal. Why are the Russian authorities doing this? I also noticed these children are not allowed to drive, vote, or have any choice in employment. What becomes of these children? Do they rot away in these institutions? Are they sent off to work for the state when they grow up? What happens to these kids?

[Edgerunner]

A legacy of a broken,discredited system...

[Shery]

Russia's response to 80% alcoholism. It's rampant. I would not have believed it if not seeing it first-hand. In the morning hours, the drunk were trying to get to work, but could barely walk. These children get placed in these places because the parents can't care for them. Actually, many are placed there by the parents due to inability to care for them. I don't think they know what happens to them after that. Many workers at these institutions probably think there is fetal alcohol problems with the kids, so this is a way to determine that they would not fit into the regular system, therefore they are not responsible for trying to educate them. A guess, on my part, anyway!

[Ruth A.]

I have not followed the link yet, but the following line tells me that the writer has an agenda and skewed vision:

other basic human rights such as the right to vote and to drive vehicles

I do not consider driving a basic human right.

[MereChristian]

"I do not consider driving a basic human right."

I assume you at least share at least one quality with two-thirds of those children. That is, you are of normal intelligence. Should we therefore revoke your right to drive because you post to FreeRepublic?

[Ruth A.]

You know, I would expect better examples of charity, patience and love from someone who uses the Lord's name as a handle.

I was speaking about the writer. As an intelligent reader, it is my responsibility to look for clues of bias from the writer. I can feel compassion about the children, but I should not let it be a hook to sucker me into biting on other issues.

[MereChristian]

"You know, I would expect better examples of charity, patience and love from someone who uses the Lord's name as a handle."

Ruth, these children are suffering at the hands of a callous and corrupt society, and you are worried about me pointing out the irony of your last post? It wasn't meant to be offensive, it was meant to be thought provoking. I harbor no animosity towards you.

[texasflower]

My sister adopted a beautiful little girl from Russia. Her story is much like this article describes.

She is now healthy, happy and perfectly normal. Anxious to start kindergarten next year.

[MereChristian]

"My sister adopted a beautiful little girl from Russia. Her story is much like this article describes. She is now healthy, happy and perfectly normal. Anxious to start kindergarten next year."

Amen. Your sister is to be commended.

[GarySpFc]

Ruth, these children are suffering at the hands of a callous and corrupt society, and you are worried about me pointing out the irony of your last post? It wasn't meant to be offensive, it was meant to be thought provoking. I harbor no animosity towards you.

No, but you clearly post under various names to express your hatred of the Russians, and that to deflect from the Islamofacists. How many times have you been banned from FR? I noticed the last time was on 10/11 and your new name is dated 10/11.

[MereChristian]

"No, but you clearly post under various names to express your hatred of the Russians, and that to deflect from the Islamofacists."

GarySpFC (or whoever you are), I don't know if you hate the Russian people, but you certainly demonstrated here that you have no desire to help them....not even children who have been locked away by the state just because they are inconvenient. "Deflect from the Islamofascists"?...the only thing you managed here is to prove you are careless with the truth, GarySpFc. I am 100% behind the War on Terror, and I am an ardent supporter of Israel. Indeed, the shoe is on the other foot. You are the one coming across like someone who likes to use the Islamofascist issue to deflect all criticism away from the Russian government. It is possible to want to fight terror and want to help the Russian people at the same time, GarySpFc. Perhaps you should think about that for a while.

[GarySpFc]

GarySpFC (or whoever you are), I don't know if you hate the Russian people, but you certainly demonstrated here that you have no desire to help them....not even children who have been locked away by the state just because they are inconvenient. "Deflect from the Islamofascists"?...the only thing you managed here is to prove you are careless with the truth, GarySpFc. I am 100% behind the War on Terror, and I am an ardent supporter of Israel. Indeed, the shoe is on the other foot. You are the one coming across like someone who likes to use the Islamofascist issue to deflect all criticism away from the Russian government. It is possible to want to fight terror and want to help the Russian people at the same time, GarySpFc. Perhaps you should think about that for a while.

Firstly, my Russian wife is a child psychologist, and was director of a large kindergarten in Russia. She cannot even listen to anything about Beslan without breaking down and crying. She also supports and helps with the adoption of Russian children by Americans.

Secondly, one cannot be a supporter of the war on terror, and support Chechyan separtists, who are connected with al-Qadea. I agree the Russian government is not perfect, and neither is ours, but there are many Christians in both groups. However, you support those who go against Christians. That tells me everything about your theology.