Wednesday, February 20, 2013

A Day in Polina's Life

The following link is a video of a day in the life of Polina. Radio Free Europe asked me to put together photos and videos of one day in her life. In an effort to keep it as pure as possible, I did this project the very next day.

Radio Free Europe Link 

I am thankful for them doing this. With the recent death of another Russian born child adopted into America, I think it is important for the Russian people to see what the lives of most children adopted in America is like. There is always going to be an exception - to everything, no matter where you go. However, most of the people around the world who adopt children love and care for them on a daily basis as I hope this video shows me doing with Polina. The cases of the now 20 children who have died after being adopted by American parents from Russian are all tragedies. I don't know the details of every case. What I do know are the details of many families I am friends with in person and through social media who love their children very much just like we do Polina. They take them to therapies, to parks, to church and to play dates with friends. We fight for the rights of our children here in America so that they can have the best life with the most possibilities - the very reason we brought them here. I hope that when Russians think of American families that adopt children, they realize that 99.97% of the 60,000 children adopted into American homes are healthy and doing well. 

I'm very saddened by the case of Max Shatto. I trust that the justice system will find the truth in the case and that Max's younger brother, also adopted from Russia, is in the safe care of those who are not under investigation in this suspicious case. I can not blame the Russian officials for wanting to follow this case and be involved - we would want the same as Americans. I don't know if Max Shatto was abused and I pray that he was not. I do not know the details of that case and leave it to our justice system to find the truth.

Child abuse is not unique to one country and has many different forms. If we are all honest with each other, we will admit that children all over the world are abused daily. Some of those are in American families, rather by birth or adoption. Some of those are in orphanages in other countries. Some of them are living on the streets in all different countries of the world, including the USA. World leaders need not to point fingers at each other, or say that one of us is better than the others. We need to love and care for ALL children and stop ignoring the fact that this does, in fact, happen in our own back yards. Children are a gift from God and are to be valued. It is my prayer that world leaders will put the welfare of children above all else and work together to find solutions to this epidemic. Please join me in that prayer!



21 comments:

  1. We are so happy for your family! May Lord protect you all.

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  2. Is there anyway to hear just your voice? Russian is a beautiful language but not one I understand unfortunately!

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  3. Thank you for continuting to advocate for Russian orphans. My husband and I are two years into our wait for a referral. We sure hope that things will turn around for us to continue and we thank you for all of your help.

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  4. Thanks for this video. It was great to watch. Polina seems like a very smart girl and adopting well. Great job, Kendra!

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  5. Nice warm report, thank you for it. I was wondering how Polina found her new home and brother.. Seems like everything is ok! ))
    Please tell us about Carter, how did he found Polina and whether he likes his sister?

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  6. God bless you)))) I'm so happy you managed to do it - to take Paulina out))

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  7. Wonderful! I live in Russia and always grieve to hear of another famous tragedy. I am happy to post your video to FB and VK!

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  8. Very touching video! You're MoLoDets yourself for doing all this! Keep going !

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  9. Thank your family for your efforts from all the Russian people, who understand and appreciate what you're doing.

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  10. Thank you a lot from all the russians. God bless you!

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  11. thank you so much! good luck and best of wishes to you and your family. i'll be waiting for more videos.

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  12. Hi Kendra, my name is Tatiana, I'm Russian, live in Moscow. I'm reading your blog since your story has appeared in Russian media and blogs. I'm so happy for Polina!!! Thank you so much that you took "not healthy" child, she had almost no chances (better to say no chances at all)to find a family in Russia.
    It's amazing to see on this video how fast Polina is learning Engish words! She is very nice and smart girl!

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  13. Thank you for doing this, Kendra! Oppenness is important now. It is wonderful to see how happy Polina is with you.

    abigale gable

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  14. When will you post a new update? I am eager to hear how Polina is adjusting to her new, wonderful life!

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  15. Very touching view into Polina's new life. So happy for her- and you!

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  16. We can not Wait until We are able to write about our Gotcha Day! You are such a inspiration. I just hope and pray our Daughter is not being told we will not come back. Thank you so much for your blog and inspiration.

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  17. Hello Kendra, just wanted to know how Polina is dealing with her new life. So happy for your family :-)

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  18. I am so glad to see Polina is adjusting well! Her English is getting better by the minute! My family wishes yours all the best!

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  19. Great to see this very touching video. I've been praying for you during the difficult times in December and January. So happy for you and Polina!!!

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  20. How is Polina doing now? She has been in US over a month by now.

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  21. You haven't posted in a while. I hope you are all adjusting to your new normal. Thinking about you and your family!

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