Russian Orphanage Experience

When I was 4 years old I was adopted from a Armenian Russian orphanage in Kotlas. I have never been told much about my adoption or my hometown from my adoptive parents, but when I tell people I am adopted from Russia they all are very interested. They all ask questions about where I am from but I have never had the answers or wanted to remember much about Russia to avoid the discomfort of those feelings. It is hard to describe to others how it feels to be adopted, especially from another country and that is why I feel this is something that defines who I am.

If you know anything about Russian orphanages, you would know how poor the living conditions are or the lack thereof. Within the institutions, they lack the child development stages

needed. Children could go years without learning any skills such as counting, basic shapes, and early literacy skills. The longer they stay, the more their brain development is delayed.

There are two type of classifications for orphan children; “Social” and “true” orphans. Social means the child was either neglected or abused by the primary guardians, and true means the child’s parents are either dead or missing. I was a social orphan.

My experience in the orphanage was better than others; I only had to spend a few years compared to some who spent five to ten years fearing they would never be adopted.

I have specific memories of daily shots, poor living conditions and playing with other children in the orphanage. It was not the worst childhood, but subconsciously, I have blocked out the worst memories to alleviate any negative feelings that could hold me back.

When I was adopted and brought back to the United States with my new parents, I was immediately labeled as having one of the worst cases of rickets, my doctor had ever seen and I also struggled with a serious case of pneumonia. I remember check ups and knowing I was not well, but being loved and cared for by my adoptive parents made all the difference and impacted me tremendously and made me feel secure and wanted for the first time in my life.

Where I am today, I do not have this demand inside of me to find my birth parents or visit where I came from, but one day I do hope I get that want to see where I was born and to also be able to bring awareness to those other children who struggle through those orphanages and do not have the love and support I was luckily enough to find with my adoptive

parents.

Being adopted is something that describes me but does not define me. While it may have been the early years of my life, it was very impressionable and it has given me such perspective and drive to work hard and get an education and create a good life for myself. Without the love from my adoptive parents I would never have these amazing opportunities. I cannot wait to add the University of Tennessee to my list of accomplishments thanks to the adoption by my amazing parents who have given me the chance to have and live the American Dream.