Stahlke Adoption

"Siblings Left Behind"

Someone forwarded me an article from USAToday about adopted children who have siblings, usually older, who are still in the child's country of origin. There are several groups in the US trying to reunite these siblings, either by helping with genealogical searches, changing US immigration law, or directly helping families to visit or adopt.

The story features a 13-year-old named Ruslan, who was adopted four years ago from Russia. When his birth mother died, his two older brothers were adopted by a relative in Russia, while Ruslan was placed in an orphanage and lived there for years. His older sister Olga visited him in the orphanage all that time, while she herself earned a living by sweeping floors. Her living situation is dire, and she has been quite ill. When nine-year-old Ruslan was adopted, he couldn't tell his parents about Olga because he didn't speak English. They found out about her right at the end of his adoption proceedings, and have been trying to adopt her ever since. But she can't get a visa from the US government, because she doesn't have enough education for a student visa, and a tourist visa requires more financial resources than she has. If she does not enter the US by age 22, which is next week (May 25), Arizona law forbids Ruslan's parents from adopting her. His parents are trying to get a special kind of visa for her called "humanitarian parole," which is granted for a "compelling emergency," such as medical care. They feel her health is poor enough that she should qualify. Their first application was rejected, but they have tried again. A room in their home is ready for her, painted in light blue and white, her favorite colors. They feel strongly that Olga and Ruslan need each other: "These two will seek each other out for the rest of their lives."

Our social worker has told us that the decision, yes or no, to adopt siblings of one's children is more common than one might think. She has had many families face this choice. Each situation is different, and the decision is often a difficult one. One factor is the degree of attachment between the siblings--some know each other well, while others have never met. In either situation, however, knowing one's siblings can answer some questions about the birth family, which is sometimes an area of great concern for adoptees. I've also read that sibling relationships are often the longest-lasting relationships in a person's life, and there has been a growing move in adoption circles to keep siblings together.

If you want to read the article about Ruslan and Olga, the website is:
usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-04-08-siblings-adoption_N.htm?csp=34

posted by Stahlkes @ 9:06 AM