We adopted 2 children from Russia. Alexander who was eleven and Anya age 10. Anya is in perfect health but had 4 cavities and Alex had a cleft palate which was partially repaired before the adoption and the final repaid was done after we brought him home. He also has a severe speech impediment and low IQ.
The orphanage was very clean and tidy and the personnel obviously cared about the children. Our trip was more pleasant than we had anticipated. Some well meaning people had prepared us for something really bad but we had a very positive experience. We were able to dine with two separate Russian families in their homes and stayed the night at one of them.
When we first saw the children, we were happy and relieved. They were happy and excited. We had written them regularly, but Alex cried when he left his caretaker and Anya cried before we left Moscow because she was scared and nervous.
Things are going as well as can be expected. It has been a challenge to the whole family. The children are all getting along better and are becoming protective of each other. Family counseling is helping.
The Egertons