A Cinderella Adoption 
by Michelle Cichon, adoptive mother

When an orphan from Ukraine reaches six years old, their chance of adoption goes down by 60%. Their chances of adoption plummet each year.

 

With all the challenges of older child adoption, these wonderful kids still have lots to offer.  Below is the story of one of these teens…. 

“Valentyna fought to keep away the tears and anger as she cleaned the orphanage floor on her hands and knees. It wasn’t her job, but the older girls forced her to do their chores and called her Cinderella.

 

Cinderella was Valentyna’s favorite fairy tale and we can only imagine how she wished for Prince Charming to come and save her from her abusive life. 

 

Just the other day, she told us this story about her past and how her life has been a true Cinderella story.  She wasn’t saved by a handsome prince, but by a family who gives her the love and attention that she has never had.

 

Valentyna first came to our home in southeast Michigan at the age of 14 through a hosting program during Christmas 2006. Once she was with our family, we knew she was to be our third daughter and began the adoption process! 
Her adoption was completed in November 2007 and she arrived home to stay on December 4, 2007!

 

It has only been a short 6 months that we have been together, but you would never have known it.  Valentyna has shown our family the true spirit of love. She can break the tension in any room with her uncanny sense of humor.  It has been a growing experience for all of us in that we have learned how to deal with different backgrounds, cultural differences and experiences. Adding Valentyna to our family has taught us all to be more supportive of each other.

 

We do not know what the future holds, but we know that with God’s help and guidance, and the love and support of each family member, none of us will need a Prince Charming to save us.”