I spent with Lyosha (Alexey) a month or so. The greatest impression was that he was a sweet young man who was also a survivor. He does not walk or talk but he gets where he needs to go and expresses his needs wonderfully.

Lyosha is the "mother hen" of his group. He looks after the other kids to keep them safe. He controls the gate into the room and knows what kids can come and go and who must stay in for safety. Many times he is the only "supervisor" in the room.

At feeding time, he grabs his beanbag chair and brings it to the kitchen. (He is still taking food from a bottle – mostly because no one has taken the time to advance his diet.) He positions his seat and enjoys his meal. After the meal he returns his beanbag chair to the group and resumes his watch.

He may be disabled, but he is not handicapped. Lyosha has significant developmental delays. I can't tell how much of that is due to his disability and how much is to an institutional life with zero nurture. I can tell that he is a sweet young man who is eager to please – always ready with a smile and always looking for human interaction. He will be a great addition to a family that has the ability to care for his medical needs and give him the love and attention that he seeks and deserves.

If you are interested in adopting Alexey, please read the memo to the potential adoptive parents, guardians, and foster parents; you can also contact Children’s Affairs' service of the Zaporozhia State Administration by telephone (061) 239-01-56 quoting Alexey’s Profile Number 0055301.

Other children who dream of finding a family

If for some reason you are currently not able to adopt (for example, you are a student and do not have a family of your own yet) you are still able to help children at a boarding school (an orphanage with your financial support. Ways you can help include: planning and participating in excursions and trips for children; visiting a child in an orphanage; or helping purchase developmental toys, books, construction sets, and sports equipment.