TODAY IS JUNE 3, 2014 ~ DAY 1083 and AYN IS COMING HOME!

STILL WAITING

It is April 2, 2014 and everyone is still waiting to hear some good news that Ayn is coming home. Most importantly Ayn has been waiting for now 1021 days to see her daddy and her brothers who love and miss her very much. The ache in their hearts must be unbearable. Still there appears to be no reasonable explanation for why so many suffer the pain of loss this great................

...........................................................................

It is Nov 30, 2013 and everyone is still waiting ~ AYN IS STILL WAITING after missing her family for 897 days. Her family is still working tirelessly to get her home again. To that effort they will be returning to court on Dec 19th. Let us all keep positive thoughts and pray for the best possible outcome in 19 days. This little girl enjoys frequent visits with her mom but she needs to be home with her family permanently.

Yesterday, Dec 7, 2012 after Ayn had been waiting for 539 days her Daddy, Derek Hoare was finally able to make this announcement

"I have some big news, which will be difficult to explain in a single post, I will get online this weekend to elaborate. Ready... Ayn is coming home! an agreement was signed on tuesday for her return. it is a sect 60 agreement with no finding of a need for protection. I cannot explain the flood of emotions we are experiencing. I am ofcourse elated and will come online in a day or two, I'm tediously typing this on my phone but will spend much more time when I come on. Thank you so very much everyone."

This is a story about a tragic event that should never have happened at all!

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Welcome............

to a blog that will try to keep you up to date on what is happening with Ayn van Dyk and efforts of her family and friends to bring her home very soon. Please consider joining this site, becoming a member. (scroll down on the right)

Once you choose hope, anything's possible.
~Christopher Reeve


I began this blog on September 1, 2011 and would not have believed I would be here writing this today, August 28, 2012 ~ 12 months later. This family who love each other so much have now been separated for 438 days. There are many blog postings here for you to read but I would direct you first to http://www.freedomforayn.blogspot.ca/2012/04/from-beginning-of-story.html You will wonder why the last date of reporting was in Jan 2012 and the only reason is that there has been nothing else to report. That's right, there has been no positive movement on the part of MCFD, Derek has had no reports about his daughter. This is totally unacceptable!


Hope is that thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops... at all.

~Emily Dickinson


Please READ http://www.sendspace.com/file/p5ytf9 where I have consolidated Derek's writings/updates from the beginning


PLEASE help us to tell this story that every parent needs to hear. Post the link to this blog and the group facebook page EVERYWHERE you can. THANKS!

Please take time, come back frequently when you can, to read other blog entries and Derek's Updates.

Derek Hoare on Global News with BC Ted Chernecki – July 20, 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQNjmQsIBKQ&feature=player_embedded

Derek Hoare talks to Ezra Levant with Sun News Network http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frqD2qVc2kg&feature=player_embedded

The views/opinions expressed in these blog postings are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the administrators of the Blog "Freedom For Ayn"
Copyright: No part of any posting is to be copied without the written consent of the author.

IT IS CANADA DAY, JULY 1, 2013

Today is the third Canada that Ayn van Dyk has not be able to celebrate with her family.

I AM CANADIAN and should be celebrating our 146th birthday but not. Today I reflect on how our Governments across this great land (Federal, Provincial, Municipal) KNOWINGLY allow so many children's lives to be destroyed by the criminal actions of those they pay and empower to protect our children. 

When we seek to find justice we find another corrupt system that condones the actions of these criminals. Are there no Canadians with conscience within government who want to make this right? We are a country rich in resources and we should be caring for our greatest resource - our children!

A little girl with autism was unjustly stolen from her family by Child Protective Services 745 days ago. Within days a hospital report stated no signs of abuse or neglect. After holding her in captivity for 536 days the court date was canceled as they announced on Dec 4, 2012 that she would be going home to her family who had been good, loving parents. Now 209 days later, when they have still not taken her home, we learn there is a plan to move her to another foster house. The cruelty and crime being perpetrated against this child and her family is __________! (I am a loss for words here ~ what words would you put in the blank)

Since the very early days in this story back in the summer of 2011 all levels of Government have been kept very aware of this crime that has yet to be dealt with justly in our courts. 

HOW CAN I CELEBRATE the greatness of this country? Ayn van Dyk, who should be living with her family in Abbotsford, BC is just one child of thousands in this country being treated unjustly.

Please help me to help Ayn. Share a link to this story wherever you can, perhaps a viral message will shame our governments today and bring them to do whatever they can to right this wrong!

AYN STILL WAITS TO GO HOME

Two years ago, this beautiful 9 year old child with autism was stolen from her family by Child Protective Services in Abbottsford, BC, Canada. In Dec 2012, after 536 days of Ayn being held in captivity, the BC Ministry of Child and Family Development stated that Ayn was never in need of their protection, dad's parenting skills were never in question and she would be soon going home to her family.

This was a picture taken of Ayn not long after she was abducted.

It has now been 731 days since Ayn was abducted from school. She has missed many happy days where she thrived with her family including 2 birthdays, 2 Christmas celebrations, 8 birthday celebrations for her parents and 2 brothers at home while she was living alone in a basement suite of a foster house with paid staff to watch her while the foster parents (very well compensated financially) worked and went about their daily lives.

With constant crying for Daddy, Ayn was given a picture of Daddy, Derek Hoare.

The BC Government is ultimately responsible for this travesty (and many others like it) ~ they are all very aware of and ignoring Ayn's story while collecting thousands of dollars of federal funds monthly to pay for depriving her of the happy family life she has a right to enjoy. Oh, and our Federal Government, including Mr. Harper the Prime Minister of Canada, are very aware of the many children in similar situations being denied their basic human rights with no consideration of justice.

It has now been 195 days since thousands of supporters celebrated the announcement that Ayn was coming home................ she is still waiting for this joyous occasion!

A recent picture we have of Ayn on a visit with her mom, Amie van Dyk.

NO UPDATE BUT THE DATE!

It has been many months since Derek Hoare has been able to share any news with us about Ayn. her mother's visits have gone from non existent to infrequent at best. Lately it has become difficult to come here everyday to change the date and the count of days Ayn has been away from her family. Today is Day 349 and none of us can imagine the pain this family has been made to endure these past 349 days.

For me personally the only way for me to relate to their pain is that which I have felt with the death of someone I loved. The pain of such loss, although less intense with time, can go on for many years, perhaps forever. What has been stolen from Ayn and her family can never be regained. They can't celebrate her 10th birthday or the Christmas of 2011. It will be a long time after she comes home to them, maybe not until February 2013, that the memories of this time apart will not haunt them all.

Thousands of people, globally, wait in hope and prayer that somehow a miracle can happen to end this horrific situation sooner than after the last court date set for February 2013. I guess we are hoping and praying that there is a person within the BC Government, MCFD itself who will see the senselessness of this situation and right the terrible wrong that has been done to this young child and her family.

On June 16, 2012 it will be the one year anniversary of Ayn's abduction. This never should have happened at all and the BC Government dares to say they put "families first" and they have the audacity to call this the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Canadian Government officials have chosen to do nothing. I am proud to be a Canadian but I am ashamed of our governments.

WHEN YOU LOVE SOMEONE

Thousands of people globally have been supporting this family in Abbotsford, BC, Canada for the past 10 months. We have been supporting Derek Hoare and his daughter Ayn van Dyk, who was abducted from school on June 16, 2011 when her daddy would not voluntarily give up custody when requested by CPS. We are supporting her mom, Amie van Dyk and her brothers Wyatt and Lyric. Ayn should not have been deprived for the past 10 months of the love her family shares. This video created by Bobbie Gellner will clearly show this love that nutured Ayn to grow and thrive. This is why we are relentless in our efforts to have MCFD (Ministry of Children and Family Development) take Ayn home where she should be.

Thanks to Pat Niagara and Bobbie Gellner who dedicates this video to Derek Hoare and his family for inspiring others to "Love Someone"  and to Artist Bryan Adams for his song "When You Love Someone"

SHE LOVES HER DAUGHTER

The following are Ron Unruh's observations/thoughts of how the last nine months has played out for Amie and Ayn;  a situation that never should have happened..................

Amie Van Dyk asserts that her child Ayn should never spend one day disconnected from her mother. She concludes that the resultant damage of these nine months of government seizure and custody is irreparable. Who can disagree with that? Ayn is constantly on Amie’s mind. She loves her daughter. During this forced separation, visitation has been permitted but irregular and infrequent. Scheduled visits have been called off with little notification time and for reasons not always openly disclosed. Amie may be told that Ayn had a meltdown, or became ill, of developed a rash. Visits were disallowed for a significant number of weeks due to what MCFD alleged was Amie’s failure to appear for a visit. There has been communication confusion and Amie contended that she was not informed that the visit had been scheduled. You see that’s the way it goes. Games. It is not a game to Amie. She has told us that herself. This is very serious. It’s serious when her child in someone else’s care and she learns that Ayn is itchy and perhaps that she may have chicken pox but she has not seen her and cannot see her. It is humorless when Amie has a photographic image in which there is the hint in changing skin tones around her eye that she has suffered some kind of injury. No explanation is provided by the Ministry. However minor it may be, the failure at full discretion by this ministry to the child’s mother is blameworthy. She has come to understand that answers to some of these questionable situations will never be forthcoming. Nevertheless, the visits she has with her girl mean so much to her. She lives for these visits. When they are together these two girls, the mommy one and the ten year old little girl one are so thrilled with one another that they play and laugh and love.

UNDER THE GUISE OF GOODNESS

by Ron Unruh ©


“It’s pernicious” is what I said.
There seems no better term for what they do,
these snatchers guised as guardians.
A pretext it has become, this protection of a child
when the youngster safe and happy is detached
by strangers.

“It’s insidious” I say to portray the taking of a child
without the knowledge of her parents
frenzied and fuming at the abuse of their child
and their own liberties.
Authorized to squash parental rights with impunity
when due diligence and fairness are derelict
and justice seems a stranger on a democratic soil.

“It’s sinister” I proclaim to parents of all children
because their own fears mount with the mention
of the protectors’ names.
This is not the only child to be taken
for her best interests is the claim.
Free she was and alert although unpredictable.
She seems a stranger now, deeply drugged but controlled.

Pernicious, insidious, sinister do you now agree
are the appropriate descriptors for her abductors.
She is not at home because she wandered, oh but
she is a precious girl, precocious and autistic
and therefore apt to wander.
This is punishment not protection and perhaps she thinks
that she did something terrible. Why not, since the captors
have never inquired about the health of the family.
Strangers to justice they are – these takers.

TO HAVE THIS JOY AGAIN

The Swing

How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!

Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
River and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside--

Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown--
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!

by Robert Louis Stevenson




Does your child like to swing? Ayn loved to swing and could do this anytime in the safety of her own backyard. I wonder if she has had the opportunity to do this in the past 275 days that she has not been at home? We don't know if she ever gets outside to play. Dad was supposed to get weekly reports but he has had very few in the 39 weeks Ayn has been gone. It may be comforting to know she was able to do some of the things she enjoys.

Today, March 16 Ayn will have a visit with her mom Amie. It is just a couple of hours but hopefully that will soon change. Back in October, before visits were stopped for unknown reasons, preparations were underway for Amie to have longer visits, unsupervised visits and overnights. Everyone is hopeful that soon this plan will be a reality. They will be able to do things outside, maybe They can enjoy swinging together in a park.

The next time you are swinging with your child, pushing them on a swing or just enjoying the moments watching them swing, stop and say a prayer of thanks and a prayer that Ayn and her family will soon enjoy these times together again.

YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS WITH CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES

by Mea Jones

The reason MCFD has so much power is that people have been led to believe that they really do care about the best interests of the child. If this were true, however, you would not see horrific cases of injustice such as what happened to the Bayne family (please Google: Paul and Zabeth Bayne and Fifth Estate), nor would you have such monumental injustice as what is occurring right now with a beautiful, sweet Autistic girl named Ayn, who was essentially stolen from her loving, caring and competent father, Derek Hoare.

Ayn has been in MCFD custody since June 2011, in the basement of a foster "parent" who gets paid very well. However, even though the foster parent gets paid very well, they still had another foster child administer drugs to Ayn and Ayn has escaped their custody, and once was found naked wandering on a main street. MCFD has acknowledged Derek is a good dad, and admitted there was no abuse or neglect.

We have blindly given MCFD so much power, yet they are completely unaccountable. Oh sure, the Representative for Children and Youth will get all up in arms when there is a freak murder or someone dues in foster custody. But MCFD doesn't really mind because the upshot of this uproar is always to get more money and power and sympathy for MCFD and those poor "overworked" social workers.

If parents knew how easy it is to lose their children, forever, and what the fate of the vast majority of children in MCFD custody really is (horrific, with a much greater chance of abuse/death than parental care), they would be shocked. The truth is, any nasty person, any social worker - for that matter - can call MCFD anonymously and make a false report and you could easily lose your child or baby forever. And this is an experience that is worse than a child's death.

So, the next time you read about how kids are getting taken away from their parents because they smoke or the kids are too fat or the parents aren't deemed intelligent enough, instead of cheering the "child protectors on, ask yourself this: if the government is such a great parent how come so many of the kids in their custody get murdered, abused in every way, grow up to be homeless, drug addicts, suicidal and incarcerated in such huge numbers?

Parental rights? You have none. Do some research and see what they've done to Derek Hoare and his daughter, Ayn. All in the best interests of the child. Right.

Blogger's note: I would suggest further reading on this subject and specifically “children’s rights” with this article by Ray Ferris who is a retired child-protection worker and the author of The Art of Child Protection

Ray Ferris: A British Columbia myth about the best interests of children http://www.straight.com/article-624596/vancouver/ray-ferris-british-columbia-myth-about-best-interests-children 

DEREK ASKS US ALL, " PLEASE WALK WITH ME IN THIS BATTLE"

So where to even begin.... as I am sure most would understand the last 8 ½ months have been beyond nightmarish. Tortuous does not begin to describe this either, the reality is that I have dedicated my life to my kids. I have dropped everything to ensure their happiness and development and to have this culminate in an attack by my own government, who has taken no time to understand my children or my family yet claim some authoritarian power over it is monstrous. To make matters worse this is being done under the guise of “help”. They throw around phrases like “child’s best interest” as if they empower them with some dictatorial aura, yet have no idea what those words even mean.

We are now 8 ½ months in..... 263 days..... and my daughter has yet to see an autism expert. The closest she came was a tertiary glance by their resident expert on day 45, who told them to not treat my child as a psych patient. I have requested the assessment, input and opinion of an autism expert since the very beginning, yet we continue to wait. How quickly they rushed to have her drugged and put into a psych ward, yet still have yet to enlist the expertise of an expert in her known, diagnosed condition... autism. I have spent dozens and dozens of hours trying to explain the situation to them, trying to explain how to appropriately treat a child with autism, to try to get them to understand the concerning behaviours of autism and how it was this terrible mistake was made.

Within the first six months Ayn had already had 4 different social workers, this fact has been used as a consistent excuse by MCFD who justifies their inaction and ignorance with a claim of “staffing issues”. And while I try to be empathetic to the daunting task faced by each new worker to get caught up to speed, the reality is that my child and family continues to languish whilst this persists. And rather than pick up where we left off with the previous social worker they simply want to begin anew, of course each time however we are further along in the unabating process.

MCFD continues to arrive to the variety of meetings uninformed, operating under a blanket liability protection which does not hold them to any standard of quality.

What I am about to type will require qualification and I will be drawing up an elaborate timeline of this whole ordeal to do so; however the reality is that MCFD has not done anything in terms of an investigation or a plan of care since Sept 20th, nothing. On Sept 26th they were granted a 22 day interim order to give them time to complete an investigation (which never happened), we are still operating under that interim order to this day... that is 159 days.... on a 22 day order. Now is the painfully slow judicial process to blame? No not really, it would be nice if the wait times were not as long as they are, but that is no excuse for MCFD to literally have done nothing in terms of my daughters care or keeping me informed of her well being. I have faced: broken promises, lies, threats, stonewalling, willful ignorance, silence... ohhh the silence.

Now as per the restrictions on my speech in regards to the Mar 2nd Mediation, I will try to elaborate on my understanding therein. Sect 24 of the CFCSA is quite clear that anything “obtained” in mediation must not be disclosed, so in essence anything NEW which was disclosed at mediation cannot be disclosed, except under a few circumstances which I likely do not meet, except arguably “d) if the disclosure is necessary for a child’s safety”. However until I get some further clarification on that point I will refrain from such disclosure. Now that does not mean I have to shut up or that anyone else does either, as a matter of fact screaming from the rooftops is one of the few recourses left available to us and I intend to use it.

With that said I am facing an escalating battle not an improving one, one which is taking place on many different fronts; my time on FB will be limited, my time in front of cameras or in print will be on the rise, and the time I need to spend studying will also continue to be pressed only to the limits of my fatigue. I ask for everyone’s help spreading the word about this and keeping up a dialog on how it is we got to this point and what we can do to inform others of what is happening, not simply in regards to Ayn, but to the “child protection system” which has strayed so far from its goal to now become an imposing threat to the safety of children and not the heroic saviour they would like to cast themselves to be. If the populace knew how this worked it would not be tolerated, and in fact will serve as a clear exemplification of why the granting of such powers under blanket liability protections is a terrible and dangerous thing.

So please please please, walk with me in this battle, in whatever capacity your individual talents endow. We have been setting up groups to facilitate this movement, and will need all the help we can get; what it will take is simply communication and coordination between everyone.

We love our kids, and we as their parents need to advocate for them.... to treat an issue as serious as the removal of a child(ren) with such casual disregard is not tolerable, my child is not a number....

Her name is Ayn... she has hopes, dreams, fears and loves.... I am one of them and I will not let her down.

I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND

Every day I come to this blog to change the date and the day count for this unbelievable story. I keep thinking this can't go on much longer but it looks like MCFD plans will have me doing this until day 611. I am a very passionate advocate for those on the autism spectrum and this little girl has stolen my heart. Not a day goes by, likely many hours everyday, that I don't think about her and her family and pray that they will soon be reunited.

On June 16, 2011 Ayn, then 9 years old, was "legally kidnapped" from school. I say "legally" because that would be the claim of this Ministry of Children and Family Development, the Provincial Government of British Columbia, Canada. I say "kidnapped" because she was abducted from school by people she did not know, against her father's wishes; taken to a house she did not know and then to a hospital she did not know where she was heavily drugged to control her behavior. The hospital did release Ayn with a written report for a clean bill of health, no signs of neglect or abuse.

I am trying to think if I have ever known a 9 year old child who would not be very frightened in this situation and lash out at those they would perceive to be attackers. Would a child understand why this was happening, why school staff would let it happen, why their parent didn't stop this? I don't think so. And, this little girl is autistic and would have  greater difficulty and certainly not be able to communicate her fears any other way than behaviorally.

Months ago her abductors, MCFD, told her parents they would be sending her home. They have never stated just cause for the aprehension, just that they thought her dad might be overwhelmed having 3 children, 2 of them being autistic. However, they made this assumption without having ever observed Ayn in her home with her Dad and brothers. Had they done so, they would have seen a very happy home where all children were thriving with their very devoted, loving full time at home Dad. Of course if they have been listening the past 8 months, they would now know the latter facts to be true.

I am thinking it is safe to assume that their knowledge of autism was very limited as well. One would have hoped that by now, 8 months later, they would have consulted with specialists and had become very knowledgeable about autism and particularly how it affects Ayn's ability to communicate, to understand what is happening. But alas this must not have happened yet, otherwise they would not be still holding her in custody and they would not be punishing her for having meltdowns. Any punishment would be wrong, but in this case the punishment was to deprive her of a visit with her mother who she hadn't seen for months. This punishment has lasted a month, the length of time it took for them to reshedule a visit. Ayn's mom has been told she will be able to visit Ayn on March 6 unless of course she has a meltdown, then she will again receive the same punishment. The question is are they telling Ayn ahead of time about this visit? Those who are familiar with autism would be thinking that the meltdown would be a result of Ayn not being able to deal with the emotions she is feeling, unable to communicate, not understanding why she has to wait etc. MCFD staff have been told that it would be best to not tell Ayn ahead of time about the visit, just let her enjoy the happiness the visit will bring to her. We can only hope they will do this. Here is an excellent resource for those with questions about autism wanting to understand what autism is about and how they can be supportive https://sites.google.com/site/fragileworldonthespectrum/

Now, in the past 8 months, Ayn's parents have done all they were asked to do by MCFD. Dad work tirelessly on a porposal he was asked to prepare and submit. He received to recognition of receipt of this porposal. With every rare opportunity to meet with MCFD there is hope that a happy ending is near. On Day 222 Ayn's parents finally had an opportunity to speak at a case conference, a judge present. Not only did they still not hear a reason for Ayn's abduction but trial dates were set to begin next December for a duration of 69 days. Yes, and that will bring the length of Ayn's custody time to 611 days. To this date she has had several visits with her mom, none for months now and none from any other family member. her brothers miss her terribly. To understand her dad's reason please read http://freedomforayn.blogspot.com/2011/10/dereks-decision-re-visiting-ayn-in.html For those who understand autism and how it plays out in Ayn's life dad is doing the best thing he can do for his daughter.

This week Ayn's parents had opportunities to meet MCFD in mediation. It would seem that they will not be allowed to speak about these proceedings but we do know that it was a nightmare. This is very sad news indeed and brings me to continue to ask "HOW CAN THIS BE HAPPENING IN ABBOTSFORD, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA and WHY???"

Are you a parent and if so what would you do in this case?
Do you have a child with autism and if so what are your thoughts?
Are you a specialist in the field of autism; what would your advice be?
Are you family or friend to Ayn and her family, what are your observations?

LITTLE AYN

By Teena Young

Ayn is just a little girl, taken from her only world.

Little Ayn is only nine, but yet they have her doing time.

In a world she does not know, they still refuse to let Ayn go.

If we could only make them see, the best thing is to let Ayn be.

Her family loves her very much, now not even a loving touch.

Little Ayn needs their hugs, not those so called calming drugs.

She needs her family more than ever, this family tie they shouldn't sever.

Little Ayn must be so scared, there was no way to be prepared.

Little Ayn needs to know, her family will not let this go!

So PLEASE help undo this wrong , for little Ayn it has been way too long....

Her future is yet unknown, for they have not sent her home.

We ask for help once again, for Ayn is no longer nine, she now is ten...

A “MESSAGE” TO A MOM WHO IS HEARTBROKEN

A Mother’s heart is broken and she reaches out for comfort, hoping someone will hear her. In the very early hours of the morning, unable to sleep, Amie van Dyk is overcome with the pain of not being able to see her little girl. It is heartbreaking to want to reach out to comfort her from thousands of miles away and to be able to offer no more than words of hope that her daughter will soon be returned.

Ayn was taken from her family eight months ago by people whose hearts can only be filled with hatred. Who else would hurt a child like this and cause so much pain and suffering to a family who loves and cares for their children.

Five days ago Amie was looking forward to spending an hour and a half with Ayn. Everyone’s spirits were lifted because after months of waiting, visits that had been stopped with no explanation would finally resume – we would know that Ayn is okay, that she had a brief time to hug her mom, to laugh and play. Imagine the excitement Ayn would be experiencing after not seeing her mom for months. Ayn is autistic and was surely having difficulty communicating her feelings and emotions on Tuesday while at school anticipating this visit. Of course we don’t know what caused a meltdown in school. The response was to send Ayn back to the home where she has been kept against her will for 8 months and to cancel the visit with her mom which was to happen in just 2 hours. So again Ayn would be punished and we are left to imagine how this played out..............

Today, five days later Amie shares with us the only response she has had in 5 days:

“I’m sorry your visit didn’t work out for last Tuesday. Because of the circumstances for the cancellation of the visit I would like to talk to the Social Worker before going ahead and planning another visit. I’ll let you know as soon as possible what the plan is.”

How does MCFD not realize how much pain and suffering they are deliberately inflicting on this family? They have to know, as do others in the BC Government, we try to tell them frequently enough. Can they all be this hateful and uncaring? This is the elected government of British Columbia, they all know what is going on and no one is responding to thousands who are crying for their help in ending this travesty of injustice. We know that this is not the first family they have tried to destroy, we hope and pray it will be the last.

A Mother’s heart is broken and she reaches out for comfort, hoping someone will hear her. In the very early hours of the morning Amie van Dyk is overcome with the pain of not being able to see her little girl. It is heartbreaking to want to reach out to comfort her from thousands of miles away and to be able to offer no more than words of hope that her daughter will soon be returned.

Then to our rescue comes someone with some comfort and a prayer:

Verses from Philippians 4:6, 7 from a bible version called the “Message”. "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's peace, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."

God hears these silent prayers. "God in Heaven, I ask that you will comfort Amie with your love at this moment. You see her brokenness and her sorrow. You understand how helpless she is to help Ayn whom she loves so much. Because these are your children, do for them what they cannot do for themselves. Interrupt, Intercept, change the minds of the Ministry personnel, and bring Ayn home to her family. Meanwhile, settle Amie's heart with a deep peace that she cannot even explain apart from you." Amen

Thank you Ron........................

 Hoping and praying that you'll both be sharing happy times together very soon.

THE POWER OF PRAYER

On our facebook group page this song was recently dedicated to Ayn. I would also like to extend that decication here to her family, Derek, Amie, Uncle Kim, Wyatt and Lyric.

                                         http://videos2view.net/2believe-JE.htm

Perhaps you will be inspired by this song and the beautiful voice of the child singing it, to join us in prayer adding your prayer in a comment. http://freedomforayn.blogspot.com/2011/12/call-to-prayer-for-ayn-van-dyk.html

NOT THE UPDATE WE HOPED FOR

Yesterday, until mid afternoon Pacific Time, many lingered on the facebook group page https://www.facebook.com/groups/justiceforayn/  waiting to hear what we all hoped for – the news that Ayn would soon be taken home where she should be.................... However, we were not going to get the news we had all prayed for. Here is Derek’s message to us last night.

We arrived early for the case conference which was set to begin at 10:45. It started a bit late, likely closer to 11. The meeting is in an informal setting at a round table where all parties are to discuss the situation as it stands, what the hang ups are and how we can move forward from here. Time is very short so all points are made in extreme brevity, I tried my best to outline some of my frustrations and concerns.

I did not walk away with any greater understanding of MCFD's position, though they were questioned about it many times. My understanding of the "conference" before entering was that it was my chance to finally get the judicial process to the point where I can argue my position before an unbiased judge. In that it was successful, there was alot of pressure to put off the trial and wait until after mediation. However, I was adamant that I wanted that opportunity.

It was very emotional for me, I cried several times, and tried to get them to see the harm they were doing to a beautiful girl and her loving family. My lawyer requested a brief recess towards the end to try to reduce my emotions, upon my return I did get them to agree to a trial. With that we set off to the court clerk to find some available dates.... well my lawyer did, I went outside where my emotions again poured out rather embarrassingly. A group member did happen to pop in and was right there to let me cry on their shoulder.

I then went in to sign off that I had received my dates (yet another pink slip); but this one was different it was the finishline, win or lose it will be the end. So here they are: Oct 23rd- pretrial, Dec 7th- Trial begins, Jan 30th 2013 second trial date, Jan 31st third, Feb 1st fourth, Feb 14th fifth, and finally Feb 15th completion (this could elongate mind you). So now finally we can see the end of the judicial process, a year away but we can see it. This does not mean that the ministerial process is over but that the oversight of the courts has reached its point where a trial is set to determine the justifiability of this.

I am meeting with the new SW on Wed, where I do hope to discern where this process is headed from here in terms of the ministry, I hope to continue where it had left off but as of yet I am still in limbo.

I do know that are going to begin drafting a counter proposal to offer me, but I have to wait weeks longer for that to complete, it is "hoped" that it could be done by Feb 24th, a week prior to my Formal mediation which is scheduled for March 2, I believe.

So tonight I ponder what to do and where to go from here, lots of possibilities lie before me and I am sorting through it all. Will be posting more and am hopeful that I'll get lots of input and advice from everyone.

 

BLOGGER'S NOTE: For the coming year Ayn and her family are going to need as much support as possible to do what needs to be done to ensure Ayn is returned home as soon as possible. Please show your support by joining our facebook support group https://www.facebook.com/groups/justiceforayn - just joining the group is an indication of your support. If you want to actively participate in the group as well, you will be warmly welcomed.

You could also show your support by commenting below which I am sure Derek will appreciate reading. Thank you.

THE LONG AWAITED CASE CONFERENCE WITH MCFD

On Monday January 23, 2012 Derek will finally have the opportunity to present to a Case Conference with MCFD who will hopefully outline their plan for Ayn's future care. This conference could have been held long ago, making much of the pain and anguish of the past 7+ months perhaps nonexistent.



In November, 2011Derek prepared a Public Information Press Release https://www.facebook.com/groups/justiceforayn/251604358246392/?notif_t=like#!/groups/justiceforayn/doc/215086771898151/  This was really the last update, as since then, there has been nothing to report other than Derek’s December  presentation of his Proposal for Ayn’s care that he was asked to prepare. To date he has had no response from MCFD concerning his proposal.



Derek recently spoke briefly about some of his recent frustrations:



"Ayn has now had 4 SW's in these now 7 months. The previous worker will not be returning and I have yet to speak to the new worker, have left some messages and really wanted to speak with them prior to Monday though that is dubious at best at this point. I have invited them to my house next Wednesday but do not know if they will indeed come. The entire fiasco around worker changes (3 in just over a month) has been incredibly frustrating and has clearly resulted in delays. Still no word on my proposal and I cannot imagine the task which lies before this new worker to get caught up on not just my file but all of the previous workers files."



Although this is Conference on January 23 is not held in a courtroom, a judge will be present and will begin by describing the function of the 1-hour Case Conference, his powers and limitations in this setting.



Derek will present a Case Conference Brief for the judge to read, including a 1 page timeline, nor more than 2 pages of facts, one page statement of defense, what he is requesting. The latter will ideally be Ayn’s immediate return home, but failing that, a request for future court dates to be established at this conference. It is unfathomable how it could take over seven months for Derek to have the first opportunity to be heard concerning what has happened to his daughter, then in a limited time of one hour.



The Case Conference Brief is an important document; it sets the stage for the conference and provides MCFD with a record of Derek’s position.


The judge begins by describing the function of the 1 hour Case Conference, his powers and limitations in this setting.


Dad/Mom's lawyers give their version of the overview of the case to the judge.


MCFD’s presentation will indicate their plans and make it known whether they are willing to bargain and mediate. If the latter is not an option they will be asked to present information to defend their actions.



If an agreement cannot be reached it will be necessary to discuss considerations for a future court trial: witness count and names, length of time required for the trial, discussion of court date and pre-trial date as well as a date of the judge’s appointment for the trial.



A child has been deprived of her basic human rights https://www.facebook.com/groups/justiceforayn/doc/161664610573701/  deprived from having contact with her father and brothers for over seven months. Now in just 1 hour it will be decided if she will return home to her loving family or if MCFD will continue this unjust abuse of a 10 year old child with autism.



The happiest and really only acceptable conclusion to this long awaited hour will be if Ayn is immediately returned home where the healing process can begin and she can continue to thrive as she had quite splendidly done for the first nine and a half years of her life. This family tree can then be completed and a family can get back to what they do best – loving and caring for each other.

                  Thank you to Victoria Ettinger who contiues to honor Ayn and her family with her creations.


Derek, Amie, Wyatt, Lyric and your extended family, we want you to know that you are in the daily thoughts of thousands who support you from around the world. Know you will be in our thoughts especially over the next few days as we pray for a positive outcome on January 23^rd.

A CALL TO PRAYER FOR AYN VAN DYK

Please join us as we gather here in prayer to ask for an abundance of blessings for all who are in charge of Ayn’s care. May the Lord’s love guide those who are responsible for making the decision that Ayn be taken home to her family as soon as possible.

When you come here to share a prayer would you invite a friend, who will then in turn invite a friend, each sharing a prayer. Let’s begin an ongoing prayer vigil that will extend around the globe until Ayn is home again.

A CALL FOR PRAYER FOR AYN VAN DYK

by Laurie Hatton

who inspires others to join her in prayer...........

I believe in the power of prayer. I believe in a loving God who cares about us and our pain. I know that many others have been praying for this situation since it unfolded, or since we became aware of this need. This document lists some things to pray about & gives you the opportunity to record your prayers in the comments section for this dear girl, her family, and the system that has removed her from her loving home. Here are a few things that I am praying for. I ask you to join in agreement with me for a miracle in this case:

Pray for Ayn – that she would be well cared for, and that God would spare her from the negative effects that often come with children being removed from their families. Ask that God would spare her from the many potential side effects of the drugs she is being given (against her parent’s wishes).

Pray that Ayn will come home very soon! The legal process is very lengthy & not designed to give parents the opportunity to challenge unnecessary removals in a timely manner, or for judges to rule in favor of a return to the parents until many months or years after the child has been taken. MCFD can make the decision today, and return Ayn. Pray God will soften the heart of the Director of MCFD who can make things right. Her 10th birthday is on December 14th & it would be wonderful if she could celebrate at home!

Pray for Derek Hoare (Ayn’s dad), Amie van Dyk (Ayn’s mom), Wyatt & Lyric (Ayn’s brothers), as well as her extended family (aunts & uncles etc), who love & miss her very much! Ask God to give them strength & wisdom to deal with this. Pray that they will experience and feel God’s presence and love.

Pray for Mary McNeil, the staff and social workers who work at MCFD in British Columbia, and at CPS or CAS organizations around the world. Pray that they would truly have the best interests of families and children at heart. Pray they will have good policies & procedures, and that they will be followed for the child’s well-being.

Pray that the proposal Derek has written & is planning to submit to MCFD today will be accepted. Pray that money will be raised to pay for a lawyer and/or expert witnesses to testify if this case actually goes to trial. Pray that a great lawyer with a heart will offer to do pro-bono work and help out.

Please feel free to add your prayers for Ayn & her family below in a comment, or to quote favorite Bible quotes that come to mind when you hear about Ayn or this call to prayer. Blessings upon you for taking the time to be informed about this situation, and doing what you can to help.

I know Matthew 18:20 (NIV) says

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

And James 5:16 (The Message) states

“The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.”

I invite anyone to record their prayers below in a comment.

Obviously you may pray directly to God on your own, or at your local place of worship. Many of us have been doing this for months. However, by typing our words & sharing them here, some may pray more who wouldn’t normally know what to pray.

I also hope people will share the link for this blog & invite others to join us. I feel there is power in coming together and sharing our petitions we are raising before God. It will be our way of praying with each other, and asking God to intervene for Ayn.

A CHRISTMAS THAT'S GONE FOREVER.............

I'm sure it goes without saying that I have been hurting over these holidays... my boys have been hurting, my ex has been hurting, the family is hurting. I do hope Ayn was able to find some happiness today, I hope she was sufficiently distracted to recall the nightmare she is trapped within. I cannot, in fact I would not even if I could, I need to know this feeling. 

Each Christmas around the world people gather together for gift giving and great meals; they tell stories, share laughter and embrace those they hold dearest. These are days I do not get back.... ever. I can and will be having great celebrations upon Ayn's return however these days are gone...nearly 200 now. On its face it would seem that the worst thing about this is having your child taken but it isn't. The worst thing is being powerless to get them back, it is the indifference shown by a powerful bureaucracy and how it disregards care and logic for policy and salaries. 

There is no reason for keeping this girl from her family, but they don't care, they have her and this is simply their function so they perform it. To them this is just how it is, they feign kindness, they feign caring... but the reality is they do not even know Ayn, they do not even care to know her.... how is it they can then claim to know what is best?? 

Child Protection Services is not a person, it is a faceless abstract created by us, the people for whom it supposed to serve. We create and fund these entities under the notion that children need to be protected... but that is where it ends for most of us... with a notion. We do not read the laws, we do not learn the policies, we do not examine audits; in short we do not take the time to see if it is working. We rest on the assumption that because its purpose was pure and its function is good that everything must be ok.... well its not ok. And if I could give people anything this Christmas it would be courage to change these things. 

I don't think people ever sat and imagined what would happen if this institution we created to protect children became so bureaucratic and policy driven that it did not take the time to actually thoughfully examine what might be best for a family. they get over 1 000 000 000 dollars a year here in BC.... they still have never bothered to determine how my daughter behaved in the home, nary a question to that effect. Do we understand what that means, when an organization that powerful can remove children without even having to consider how the child was in the home. And yet it continues to be funded it and we continue to look away.... seeking comfort in the original notion... children need to be protected.

I still have two children and now I have the knowledge that there exists this institution which can march in and kidnap your child at the whim of someone who does not even know you... this is not something that sits well... When they took my daughter I didn't know what to do, I only knew that it was wrong. I love my children and would never harm them, I have sought to learn the most I can about their disability and to try to understand them and how best to treat them.... but they still took her anyway. They did not spend an hour of thought on my daughter or my family but felt that they had the authority to do this to people. I am fairly certain that they cannot keep her forever, but that may be simply me turning to another institution and the notion under which it was founded... Justice.

On this Christmas I hope everyone holds their loved ones closely and focuses on the happiness which they can bring to one another. 

I have spent the past few days giving some much needed attention to my boys Wyatt and Lyric, whom I would like to thank so much and to let everyone know how proud I am of them, they have both shown such great strength and character in the midst of all this strife. 

And to all of you who have supported me throughout this, I know I have thanked you all so many times and I do not want it to lose its lusture but please know that it has meant so much for me in this battle that there are others still out there for whom child protection is more than just a notion. That you all can put a face on those children and take some of your time to help fight for them is a wonderful thing... and hopefully it means that we as a people have not reached a point of apathy where we will sit idly by as noble concepts get ripped to shreds.

Please have a Merry Christmas everyone, do not lament in my sadness, find it as a reason to share your joys and loves with others whom you find worthy of it. Cherish them and each moment you have together. Time is fleeting but our love does not have to be. Thank you so much everyone, enjoy your holidays. I am going to go and hug my boys and look at pictures of my baby girl.

This little girl needs to be back

in her daddy’s arms.