LAURIE AHERN

Chief Operating Officer Mental Disability Rights International

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Member Since: 8/2008 Last Seen: 8/04/2009

Q & A - Human rights abuses against people in Serbian institutions

Fri Aug 29, 2008 1:31 PM EDT

mdri-laurie-ahern, serbia-dateline

By Laurie Ahern

Many of you are asking how you can help. We have a link for how you can get involved on our web site: http://www.mdri.org/.

Hello, I am Laurie Ahern, Chief Operating Officer at Mental Disability Rights International(MDRI), and I travelled with Ann Curry to Serbia to expose the egregious abuses you have just seen on Dateline. MDRI has exposed abuses in over 23 countries across the world against people with disabilities. And I am the lead investigator/author of our report on Serbia: Torment not Treatment: Serbia's Segregation and Abuse of Children and Adults with Disabilities. See more from the Dateline report at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26332429
Discuss the horrific abuses perpetrated against children with disabilities in Serbia as seen on Dateline. I'd love to hear your thoughts and try to answer questions.

UPDATE:NBC News producer Tim Sandler has been looking for the best way to help Dusica, a Serbian women who was featured in the Dateline report. Here's what he writes:

For all of you who wanted to help the mother of Stephan, the boy with cerebral palsy, she is touched by the number of people who have reached out. Here is the simplest and most direct way to send money. (Sorry for the delay; language barriers were difficult to break through.)

Call Western Union at 800-325-6000. Say you want to send money to Serbia. The will ask for the full name of the person you want to send it to. It is: Dusica Vukosavljevic. She will be able to pick up the money at any Western Union office in Serbia once she provides identification AND, this is important, a 10-digit NCCN number that Western Union will give you and the password that you give Western Union.

Once you have the NCCN number and password, email it to Dusica. Her email address is: drustvocpnbg@vektor.net. Best to keep it simple because she doesn't speak much English. But if you want to write more, go ahead. She has English-speaking friends.

You can also do the above online, at www. Westernunion.com. Again, make sure you send Dusica the proper information.

Thanks for all of your interest.

Tim

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Public Discussion (428)

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wendy schleyer

I want to know what I can do to help? This is horrible. Thank you for helping these beautiful children

#1 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:25 PM EDT

Nikki-466823

It was not so long ago that this situation existed in our own country. Parents were at the forefront of changing the state of affairs. I know that in Romania some of the orphanages have been improved through the assistance of people from other countries adopting a specific orphanage and then helping with staff training and financial support. They worked with a local group and volunteers would spend a couple of weeks a year working with the local folks and also spend time with the people with disabilities. I don't know if Laurie could share enough information for support groups to be formed. The country needs to develop an overall plan but the country's infrastructure is not stable and I think the only way real change can happen is if others from outside are involved. I would be willing to help - I work with folks with severe disabilities.

#1.1 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:55 PM EDT

Jacquie-466934

Laurie,

Your dedication and hard work is beyond words - if these beautiful people could thank you I know you would be an angel to them. It saddens me that the priests can't even take the time to preform a simple ceremony for these wonderful people - of all the people in the world the residents of these institutions deserve a send off to heaven and a better place more than most of us.

A thank you to the reporters for bringing this sad situtation to those of us whom would have on idea such horror happens in this world.

Never stop fighting for those who can not fight for themselves.

#1.2 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 11:42 PM EDT

Heidi Endert

My name is Heidi Endert, and I am a Physical Therapist. This article hit home, as I recently was introduced via my professional organization's newsletter to Amy Gomes, Pediatric Physical Therapist, who has SEEN this atrocity first hand in the Ukraine and is DOING something about this. Because children with disabilities are not allowed to go to school in the Ukraine (similar to Serbia) and are primarily "given up" to orphanages due to the parents inability to take care of these special children, Amy has started a non-profit foundation and is opening a school which will serve 50 developmentally disabled children a year to start. Please check out her website at hopehavenschool.com, as this is ONE PERSON who saw a need and is filling it. I have nothing to gain but to attempt to SPREAD the word of her cause, as this is a truly remarkable journey she has begun, all to enhance the life of those children who need us the most!

1 vote

#1.3 - Sat Aug 30, 2008 12:42 AM EDT

bethskii

I JUST ADOPTED A 4 YEAR OLD BOY WITH DOWN SYNDROME FROM SERBIA 3 months ago BEFORE he was sent to that horrible place. It is possible to adopt these kids while they are still in the orphanage (till the age of 5?) so they don't end up there. Here is my blog address that talks about our adoption: www.hopfenspirger.blogspot.com . I found him through a newer non-profit organization called Reece's Rainbow ( www.reecesRainbow.com ) . AMERICAN EXPRESS is having a contest to give away $1.5 million to the top voted project and Reece's Rainbow has submitted a project called 'Save an Orphan with Down Syndrome'. TODAY (Monday 9/1) is the last day for nominations. Anyone with an Email address can nominate. IF this project makes the top 25, then only cardholders can vote daily starting Sept 9. PLEASE HELP THE CHILDREN THAT ARE ABOUT TO BE SENT TO THESE HORRIBLE PLACES! It is not only Serbia that has these horrible mental institutions. PLEASE HELP --- NOminate now and leave a comment -- then check back on Sept 9 to vote to save these kids: http://www.membersproject.com/project/view/H1LEJ0

PS. The AmEX web side is having some technichal problems this morning. Please check back if their web site is not working -- they told me it could be a couple of hours.

1 vote

#1.4 - Mon Sep 1, 2008 12:16 PM EDT

bethskii

I just adopted a 4 year old boy with Down Syndrome from Serbia 3 months ago while he was still in an orphange. We got him BEFORE he was sent away to that horrible place. Here is our adoption blog: www.hopfenspirger.blogspot.com

We found him through www.reecesrainbow.com Please help this organization win $1.5 million from American express to help more of these children before they are sent away:

http://www.membersproject.com/project/view/H1LEJ0

1 vote

#1.5 - Mon Sep 1, 2008 12:35 PM EDT

Kari-466281

I am horrified by the treatment of the individuals shown in the broadcast. This cannot continue! What can we do to help?

#2 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:26 PM EDT

mary-466373

how do we need to help? are these children available for adoption?

#2.1 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:39 PM EDT

Laurie Ahern

no, for the most part these kids are not available for adoption. Serbia, like many countries, is very nationalistic. They want to take care of there own. The bigger issue is that children with disabilities deverve to live with their families and most would keep them if they had some support. We have to make a world where it is not acceptable to give up a child to an institution. All humans have value and gifts and no human is less valuable than another. This is the is the shift we must make, we must look at the big picture and demand that no child ever be left in an instution to cry and die

1 vote

#2.2 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:29 PM EDT

Alexis-466763

I agre with Kari..As a mother, I cannot imagine the torment these children are going through every single day of their lives. I am completely heartbroken and would like to help in any way I can....what can we do from the States?

#2.3 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:38 PM EDT

Nikki-466823

Laurie
I agree - adoption does not change a system nor does it help the next child who is born with a disability

#2.4 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 11:01 PM EDT

Julie-jewels4u

Laurie, I believe you are right but there are other ways of going about the change. We need people from within the country itself to fight for changes within the institutions. We need to ship doctors in to the US and other compassionate countries to have their eyes opened to the possibilities. All of the reasoning that the doctors have right now is coming from their heart. We can show them what is possible and they can fight within the government. The doctors have some power. They might be hard to loose since they can't find others to fill their places in these hell holes. This is leverage. I was bawling like a baby watching this and my husband came into the room and I could barely tell him through my tears what I was watching.

#2.5 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 11:14 PM EDT

db0824

This is horrific! I cannot fathom precious children being caged like this. What can we do? Is there some way to help?

1 vote

#3 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:35 PM EDT

Jody-467085

Go to the "Mental Disability Rights International" Website- FAQ's page. It lists what Exactly you can do to help.

#3.1 - Sat Aug 30, 2008 12:39 AM EDT

David090881

This is an outrageous violation of human rights. what can we do to help?

1 vote

#4 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:35 PM EDT

scubachick

This is truly sad and incomprehensable. Is there a way to help these kids? Is there a way to help the woman you that has the boy with cerebral palsy?

#5 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:36 PM EDT

happymom

Are any of these children ever available for adoption? My husband & I would love to adopt a child and I have never seen any information on adoption from Serbia.

#6 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:36 PM EDT

amy-466423

I just did a little a little research myself. I am interested in adopting several of these children. I already have an autistic son and would love to have more. They are the angels I believe God put on earth. They are innocent. Anyways, I typed in, adopting children from Serbia and came up with a "to do" list if you will on how to do it. My son goes to one of the top facilities in the country for disabled children and I will ask them for information as well. I wish I could bring them all home. Thank you for..I think the name of the website is, Intercountry Adoption Serbia

1 vote

#6.1 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:42 PM EDT

AdamKneisley

I am an adoption attorney that mainly represents adoptive parents in domestic adoptions, but am interested in securing permanent, good homes for these children. According to the State Department, adopting from Serbia looks quite simple. One thing I would like to find out is whether these children are actually available for adoption (i.e., their biological parents have surrendered all rights or the state has terminated their rights). If so, it seems that starting to help these children would be relatively easy if the Serbian government would allow it. Feel free to e-mail me at adamkneisley@yahoo.com if interested in adopting any of these children.

#6.2 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:54 PM EDT

Lynne-467435

We all want to help. This is so heartbreaking. I don't know if adoption is an option or not. I notice that Laurie Ahern (expert from the Dateline piece) says that adoption largely is not an option. However, if you are going to try to pursue adoption, I would take the advice of the State Department into consideration. This reply form will not let me post a link to the site, but there is a site specifically on adoption from Serbia. As stated on the site, "Prospective adoptive parents are advised to fully research any adoption agency or facilitator they plan to use for adoption services. For U.S.-based agencies, it is suggested that prospective adoptive parents contact the Better Business Bureau and/or the licensing office of the appropriate state government agency in the U.S. state where the agency is located or licensed." There are additional links to other info about selecting someone to help you figure out the process (if any) for adopting in this situation. You can find the site by googling the following words: department of state adoption serbia

Once you google those words, look for the link named: Intercountry Adoption Serbia.

#6.3 - Sat Aug 30, 2008 6:00 AM EDT

Lynne-467435

Once you google those words, look for the link named: Intercountry Adoption Serbia.

#6.4 - Sat Aug 30, 2008 6:11 AM EDT

Dario Mallerman

I work for an agency that helps people with disabilities in NYC and this story broke my heart. I cant believe that children and adults live like this in the 21st century. Is the UN doing something? And how we can help in the US?

thanks

#7 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:36 PM EDT

brandy-466316

i just watched the report on the serbian goverment and how the handle the mentally disabled. im getting ready to graduate nursing school and i want to know if i can help. it really broke my heart to see children and adults treated that way.

#8 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:36 PM EDT

scubachick

Is there a way to help the woman that kept her little boy, the one with Cerebrel palsy? unbelieveable that children and adults can be treated like this. How can I help?

1 vote

#9 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:36 PM EDT

lynda-466340

I so agree scubachick.. we so need to know is there a way of contacting her and just helping her with lil things as much as we can do for the woman i know she would so appreciate even the littliest and simpliest of things!! Enough of us in this world can make a difference for her and her son's life!

#9.1 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:41 PM EDT

Beachgirl2

Scubachick...

I'm right with you, I was so happy to hear that she went against the grain and choose to keep her little boy, tears still run down my face knowing that she has done the best for her child, what a strong woman.

How can we help her!!!!!!!

#9.2 - Sat Aug 30, 2008 12:46 PM EDT

Mike-468708

Yes, I too would like to know if there was a way to help this woman. You could see how much bigger her child was than even the adults in the institutions. I would gladly donate something through Paypal or something like that.

Ms. Ahern, thank you for giving the public a glimpse into a world that I didn't know existed. I will pray for you and all the work that you do. (I'm sorry, I didn't catch the whole episode, but was Ms. Ahern the lady with blonde hair and red glasses?)

#9.3 - Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:53 PM EDT

Trisha-466318

I am in shock right now... I cannot believe what I am seeing. I need to know what I can do to help...

#10 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:37 PM EDT

Brittney-466320

What is Serbia's policy on foreign adoption? Can people adopt the children that the country doesn't want to take care of?

#11 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:37 PM EDT

AdamKneisley

I am an adoption attorney that mainly represents adoptive parents in domestic adoptions, and am interested in securing permanent, good homes for these children. According to the State Department, adopting from Serbia looks quite simple. One thing I would like to find out is whether these children are actually available for adoption (i.e., their biological parents have surrendered all rights or the state has terminated their rights). If so, it seems that starting to help these children would be relatively easy if the Serbian government would allow it. Feel free to e-mail me at adamkneisley@yahoo.com if interested in adopting any of these children and we can figure it out together.

#11.1 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:02 PM EDT

Lynne-467435

Once you google those words, look for the link named: Intercountry Adoption Serbia.

#11.2 - Sat Aug 30, 2008 6:12 AM EDT

Myah

This has to stop. How do we help?

#12 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:37 PM EDT

H-Town-466322

I am too horrified by the treatment of the individuals shown in the broadcast! It is so sad. What can we do to help?

#13 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:37 PM EDT

Nikki-466324

I just watched the program. I can hardly form words because I am so distraught!!!!! My aunt is mentally retarded and we, as a family, have always been by her side...I cannot understand how humans can treat other humans like this!!!!! Laurie, my question is this: WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP THESE PEOPLE??? I don't have money but I have heart and I do have EU citizenship. I am serious. I must do something. Tell me how I can help!!!!!

1 vote

#14 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:37 PM EDT

Marcia-466325

How can one help?
Can you adopt one of these children?
Support one specifically?

1 vote

#15 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:37 PM EDT

Susan-466779

I am just horrified at the deplorable conditions that these human beings are subjected too. I cried all the way through this program. Please advise how we can help. Can these children be adopted? Can we go to these institutions to help? Though my heart is breaking for all those involved I just can't stop thinking about that little girl in the pink dress who was crying and reaching out to anyone who would listen. I'm with JulieP ... lets get some organizations involved and do some really great things for these people.

#15.1 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:41 PM EDT

karen-466327

I was stunned to tears to see this piece. I came to the website because I wished to do something to help in some manner. What can I do? (If I was Angeline Jolie, Madonna, etc. do-gooders, THIS is where I would put my money!)

#16 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:37 PM EDT

Cyndi-466329

I could almost not bear to watch this. I have a special needs child, so it especially hits home. I cry as I write this. I cheered for the woman who kept her little boy. How can I help?

#17 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:37 PM EDT

Marko-466330

I am Serbian living within the United States. It's with great shame that I watch this report tonight being shown about my country, but at the same time I know that it will be very hard to fix this situation when the country is so poor barely even financing the smallest of the infrastructure. If you could please point us to anyway that we can help and this word will be spread throughout the Serbian community within the United States.

1 vote

#18 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:37 PM EDT

kristina-466331

I am a caregiver for handicapped children. Are the children in institutions in Serbia able to be adopted by Americans?

#19 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:37 PM EDT

AdamKneisley

#19.1 - Sat Aug 30, 2008 5:20 PM EDT

Chris-466332

I'm in tears....what can we do to help?

#20 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:37 PM EDT

BRANDON PACKER

WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP ?

#21 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:37 PM EDT

Ashlea

Is there any way that someone could send help to the mother who decided not to send her son to an instutition and has, as a result, been abandoned by her husband and family? My family would like to send her some sort of financial help of at all possible.

1 vote

#22 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:37 PM EDT

Acujen

We would, too. Please let us know.

#22.1 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:46 PM EDT

Jewell

I can't believe that these people are being treated less than human. The Doctors who put these innocent people in these places should be jailed. This is absolute torture for these poor people. The look in the boys eyes when he was being touched tore my heart out! This cannot go on any longer! Please give us a way we can help out financially or otherwise.

#22.2 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:50 PM EDT

susana agudelo-uribe

yes please let me know how I can help. It is impossible to believe that people even kids are being treated this way and they can't do anything to help themselves. I wish I could go there and help them

#23 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:37 PM EDT

julie-466337

Hi I would like to help. Please let me know how I can. I would also like to help the woman who chose to keep her son and was abandoned by her husband and family. Thanks, Julie

#24 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:37 PM EDT

leslie-466338

I am so sick about what I just saw that I cannot eat my dinner. How can we help? I want to hold these children and hug them and love them because noone is.

#25 - Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:37 PM EDT

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LAURIE AHERN

Q & A - Human rights abuses against people in Serbian institutions

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