Tabitha lives in Russia.
Children with special needs are unwanted and considered "defective" in Eastern Europe. This includes the country of Russia. Parents of children with Down syndrome, HIV, Cerebral Palsy or other "abnormalities" are encouraged to place their children in orphanages. To abandon them. Eventually, these children age out and are sentenced to spend their days in mental institutions where basic needs are minimally met. As you can imagine, not many Russian citizens are rushing to adopt these forgotten children. However, families from the U.S. and Canada are providing these children with loving homes. Now, that may all come to a grinding halt due to the new anti-U.S. adoption bill that was signed in Russia.
Putin Signs Anti-US Adoption Bill
What does this mean for Tabitha? Will her family be able to complete their adoption?
What does this mean for Elden? Will his family ever have the chance to find him?
Or these other children?
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| Nanette |
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| Carina |
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| Rebekah |
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| These are just some of the orphan children with special needs in one region of Russia who need families. |
My heart is so heavy right now and I am worried about these precious children. My heart aches for all of the families who are in the process of adopting children from Russia. I wish that I could show you how so many children have thrived since being home with their families.
Blogs of families who have walked the adoption road (not all are from Russia):
Living on Hopes and Prayers -Remember Shawna & Lindsey!
Saving An Angel -Phoebe (the first little girl I ever fell in love with on RR)!
Welcome to Taylorville-Andriy
The Blessing of Verity-Katie (this story is AMAZING)
Carrington's Cruisade
Hearts are very heavy here too. :-(
ReplyDeleteIt makes me so sad to see what is happening!! I have several times looked over all the faces on Reece's Rainbow and talked with Mark about adopting a child. I wish there was something that we could do.
ReplyDeleteTo use innocent children as a way to "get back" at the US makes my stomache turn! My heart aches for the families who are affected by this and for those beautiful children who deserve so much more.
ReplyDeleteThis really tugs my heartstrings. Thank you for bringing awareness & for sharing those blogs. I love "The Blessings of Verity" and plan to check out the others you have listed. Happy New Year to you & your family.
ReplyDeleteI am also in LOVE! with Tabitha and was so glad to see that someone was coming for her and was in tears when I heard the news about the new bill being final. I see there may be an amendment that will still allow disabled children to be adopted and I am praying that this works out for the sake of the children.
ReplyDeleteI am from South Africa so I don't know whether it would be possible to adopt from Russia but I will be making enquiries in the new year. Financing the adoption will be a whole new dilemma!
Almost in tears...I've been a quiet reader for quite some time now as the babysitter of a little girl who happens to have beautiful Designer Genes. And I just read this post...and one of the little girls you pictured (third row down, third across, crazy big smile) is my little Emily for whom I have been a prayer warrior since June. I love her like crazy and I am ALMOST IN TEARS because I didn't know that she was in Russia...I have no information about her. Please keep this blog updated so I know what will happen to my sweet girl. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Melly, oh how I wish I could scoop all of those children up and bringing them home. My darling Tabitha is also in Russia. She matched with a family, but they were/are in the very beginning process of the adoption. I just do not know what will happen with our little girls. I love Emily's smile! I will try to keep you posted if I learn anything. I feel like everything has come to a halt :-(
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