[cathvash]

I did email the Moscow Times. I attached two family pictures and wrote:

THIS FAMILY WAS CREATED FROM A RUSSIAN ORPHAN ADOPTION, AND IS ONE OF THE THOUSANDS OF HAPPY ONES!!!





Please tell this side of the story about International Adoption. Good and loving parents exist all over the world! 99.9% of Russian children who are adopted are placed in homes where they are loved and treasured forever. My ancestors are from Russia. When I went to Vladivostok two years ago to adopt my daughter, I knew that I was walking the same streets that my ancestors did, and I was proud to offer a home and my love to a child from that city. She is my joy, and one of the happiest children I have ever met. I cringe when I think about how her life might have ended up if she was brought up in an institution. I, and others, are full of love for these children and able to help. Please help the Russian people to see the balance and truth behind the stories of American parent abuse. The percentage is so tiny. So many of these children become Russian jewels in the tapestry of peoples that make up the United States. They represent your people well, and they will always remember the country of their birth.



Please help us to stop the death of something that is so beautiful, because of sensationalized stories about a tiny, tiny percentage of people!

[bdaddy]

Sorry, the Wellsville Daily phone number is:

585-593-5300

[mommyto4]

Thanks so much to all of you who are wiiling to be proactive and help us and all the precious children wiating

[Vicki H]

Thanks Danielle. I also just emailed the New York Post. I am trying to do what I can.


Vicki

[GCS]

Here is a letter I just sent Oprah - I just edited out our last name - everything else is the same.

I gave them this site as a reference!

Dear Oprah
You recently had a show featuring Masha, a young girl adopted from Russia who was abused by her adoptive father.

There has been much controversy in Russia regarding Americans adopting because of this sad situation and other cases against adoptive parents who have abused their Russian children. A case in Maine right now is drawing a lot of negative press.

Many in Russia would like to see a stop to Americans adopting their children because of the press these negative stories have been given.

We adopted two children from Vladivostok, Russia in November of 2004. Our boy was 3 years 2 months at adoption and our girl was 5 months old. They are wonderful, bright, beautiful children who are the center of our lives. We hope to go back for another child in the next few years.

Approximately 5000 children are adopted from Russia every year by Americans. The rest of the world combined adopts another 5000 children. According to the last published number, close to 750,000 children live in Russian orphanages today. Approximately 450,000 of these children are available for adoption. The remainder continue to be unavailable because there is some interest in their well being by a family member.

If Russia no longer permits Americans to adopt these children, they will spend out their lives in the orphanage. Their will have limited career opportunities, shorter life spans, and will be more likely to become involved in drugs and prostitution. This is not my opinion, it based on recent studies.

There are thousands of us with wonderful, happy endings to our adoptions. These stories never make the headlines. I am a member of a few Russian adoption online boards where we help one another through the process and then, many of us stick around and form a support post-adoption group.

Many in the process right now are worried about what this is going to do to their adoption process. We are worried about all the little faces we left behind. Not a day goes by that we do not remember the ones we met during our two trip process. Some of them might have found homes, but many of them are still there.

If Russia closes adoptions to the Americans, potential adoptive parents will find other countries from which to build their families. It is not the parents I pray for, but those children who will never know parents.

Our son was considered quite ill by the judge in Russia. His teeth had become terribly infected and were untreated for so long that he had developed a heart murmur. He also had giardia and was very small for his age. We were blessed to have wonderful insurance and great doctors. He had surgery two weeks after we returned to the States with him. He had to have 11 of his baby teeth pulled and now wears an appliance to correct his bite since he only has 9 teeth left. He is now in very good health.

The adjustment period is not easy for the child or the parent. Many parents do not have realistic expectations in bringing home a child. There are resources out there, but the parent has to look for them. So many of these parents have been trying to have a family for years and are disillusioned by the difficult time they are having with their new child. A child they had romanticized about their entire lives. These children come with histories we know very little about. The first 3 months are notoriously hard on the family.

If you are interested in getting more information a good site to visit is www.adoption.com. The Russian Forum there is well visited. I am there daily. We share our problems and support one another and delight in our community of children.

I hope that someone here finds this compelling enough to give it further thought.
Thank you,
Christina
Sam and Sophia's Momma - Vladivostok, November 2004

[mommyto4]

Thanks Traci for Oprah's email I just sent her a letter! Thanks again everyone for all of your support

[kretzklan]

I will place calls today...I contacted each author of the articles that have been posted on this site lately and asked for them to tell the other side. I hope we get a response - because I haven't!

[mommyto4]

Thanks Kristina, what a wonderful letter!

[ldr]

BDAddy, I will go on an email campaign as soon as I get home!!!! LOL LISA

[kcgirlinfl]

Hi - just wanted to add that I also want to help, although I am at work right now and limited as to what I can do from here. I plan on crafting my story and sending it to the major newspapers listed.

My heart goes out to all who are waiting and could be negatively affected by this news.

[mommyto4]

Thank you so much everyone for all of your time and efforts I now how hard it is to find time to do things once you have your children home, but I can't stress enough how much I appreciate everything all of you are doing You guys are AWESOME!!!

[kretzklan]

The number for USA Today is not correct...
I left a message for Jane at the NY Times.

[Vicki H]

HI guys,

I will post something on my blog about this, but I also went to my online editor for my blog and sent him an email to see if something could be printed in the local paper here.

It's nothing big, but every little thing helps.


Vicki

[angelkisses0102]

Other than the Moscow times, does anyone have the email addresses for the others...I will get something out tonight on email...I just can't call. Plus, seeing something in writing, with pictures...should make a bigger impact than a bunch of phone calls or voice mails. I have emailed the Moscow Times in the past...never have gotten a response.

[GCS]

Letter to Moscow Times with family picture sent!