[nicky2]

Hi all, I'm just wondering if anyone could please share their experience with adopting from Russia. I am intrested in adopting there but am alittle concerned with FAS. I heard that it is high there and that you could get a child who has FAS. Should I be overally concerned with this? Also what is the youngest child I could hope for from Russia...I really would like under the age of one as celebrating their 1st b-day with them really means a lot to me.

Any help or information would be great!

Thanks,

[dlhall]

We adopted our daughter Natalya 2 1/2 years ago when she was 12 months old. She is very healthy and in all ways a normal 3 year old now except that she is small for her age (still wearing size 2 clothing). We have just started the process of adopting a baby boy.

There is a risk of FAS, but one thing we did and which I think most people do, is when you receive a referral of a child that you have an IA (international adoption) doctor look at the referral. They know the signs of FAS and they are able to understand the terms used in the medicals. The doctor will give each referral a rating and discuss with you what he/she found in the referral, then you can decide whether or not to accept the referral. If you decline a referral, you will get another referral--you are not penalized for rejecting a referral.

Russian adoption is difficult and a lot of work, but it is worth it! Good luck.

Liz

[dlhall]

Oh, I forgot to respond to the second question. My understanding is that the youngest child available would be around 6 months; it does depend somewhat on what agency you use, and I have heard of a few 4 or 5 month olds that have been adopted from Russia.

Liz