Our Story
We adopted 2 children, ages 18 months and 2 years from Kazakhstan. Peter who is now three years old is small for his age. He has some speech delays but is catching up quickly and adjusting well. Alexandra is now almost two and has a congenital leg deformity. She now has a prostheses fitting over her short leg, and can now walk with out assistance.
The orphanage overall seemed very good but the caregivers did not have the time for individual emotional care. The children were healthy considering they were in an orphanage where they did not get outside much.
During our trip to Kazakhstan, we were sick the entire time. It also wasn't easy to find portable food and drinkable water was also a priority. The fact that we were sick really prevented us from truly experiencing our time in country. It was also difficult because the language differences were such that it was hard to communicate. People seemed friendly however.
We saw humor in ordinary things. The beautiful high heeled boots people wore through muddy streets, the lady selling raw chicken legs on the street, how the pastries looked so delicious but often had no taste at all. The mountains covered with snow.
When we met the children, I was surprised by how small and pale Peter was. Alexandra was as beautiful as her pictures, but pale also. It was a wonderful moment to see the pictures we had of them become real. Peter looked scared to death. Alexandra had this wait and see reaction, as she does with people and situations she doesn't know. She bonded quickly it seemed, but Peter, because he is older took a little while to bond.
The children are doing very well; it is like they are totally different children. Peter had temper tantrums in the beginning, due to communication difficulties but he rarely has any now. Peter goes to pre-school, which has done wonders for his speech. Alexandra is becoming an independent young lady. She is walking with her prosthesis unassisted and we continue to have her followed by a pediatric orthopedist in Boston. They both respond very well to love.
It was a very long trip and a long time in Kazakhstan, but we came back with such wonderful children that any discomfort was worth it. Thanks to A Child Waits financial help, we have two beautiful children.
The Beldings