A year has passed since we first met Lydia. Initial contact was through a mutual friend, asking Drew to sell Lydia's cross-stitch art online. One US sale resulted. Other pieces sold locally. We wondered how to create sustainable work for Lydia?
Lydia was burned as a child, losing both legs from the knees down, the flesh of her face, and 80% of her fingers. She lost her family, abandoned. She was not allowed to study past elementary school and given no work opportunities. She was grateful, however, for the ability to create cross-stitch and sustained by friends to grow up with.
A tiny local chocolate factory intentionally employs people like Lydia, without options. But it still seemed out of reach for her -- off-site worker dormitory on the 4th floor with no elevator. Lydia tried out a telemarketing job instead. Chronic headaches and other factors forced her to give up.
Suddenly the chocolate factory again became plausible when managers arranged garage stall housing on the first floor for Lydia. Drew installed many things; we brought housewarming necessities. Age 22, she left the orphanage for her first shot at semi-independence.
I mentioned to Drew, "I wondered if this might be painful for Lydia, leaving her roommate Zhao He, but I don't think so...sadly, institutionalized kids lack attachment, sense of permanence...Lydia and Zhao He will be just fine."
Lydia adapted well enough in her first weeks as an office assistant and living alone in her stall. Visitors have broken up boring evening and weekends. Slowly she will form friendships with coworkers and even neighbors; some are already seeing past her burns. Lydia herself is learning how to advocate for her own needs and perpetually battling to remain confident when people gape and remark as if she doesn't notice. It has required appreciable bravery to step out of the orphanage.
And I so wrongly assumed that Lydia and Zhao He were unattached. They bonded as they grew, Lydia relying on Zhao He's physical capabilities where her own body was broken, Zhao He dependent on Lydia's mature cognitive abilities while her own mind remained like a child's.
Because Lydia moved out, Zhao He was transferred to another city orphanage with an enigmatic and poor reputation. Lydia is worried to tears. No phone calls are permitted and leaders will not disclose the location. Saturday night I had another girl sobbing in my living room because she just wants to know where is the 'sister' and friend she grew up with!? Is she safe? I phoned their overseer --who I have a decent relationship with-- I'm not convinced that she was completely honest with me. But I'm sure a little more detective work will lead us to Zhao He.
So -- three cheers for Lydia: thankful, brave, an overcomer!
And now to find Zhao He.
counting the graces
thank you Father for
justice for this oppressed
neighbors seeing past burns to Lydia -- bright and sweet
Lydia's unassuming and grateful attitude challenges my every sense of entitlement and discontent
Wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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