I have read a lot about models with the Down syndrome, including children, but I have never thought that such models also exist in our country. The fewer children were left in Kalinovka, the more often I had time to make photos of one of the children for hours. It not only helped them find a family, but also helped me to better understand them.

Miroslava can’t talk and rarely produces any sounds. At the same time, she likes riding on the sea-saw, watching television and dancing listening to a vacuum cleaner working. Maybe she would dance to more melodic sounds, but it so happened that she heard the vacuum cleaner more often.

To tell you the truth, I try not to allow children in Kalinovka hanging on me for a long time, but Miroslava is one of those who persistently ignores this rule. She likes sitting on my lap, and it is not important for her what the person is doing. Sometimes, she can sit on your lap even when you are trying to lace your shoes.

However, it is all not so important. I remember Miroslava most of all due to her desire to pose all the time. With all the confidence, I can say that she used to be and she still is my best model among all the children I had a chance to work with in the recent 3.5 years. Although, since 18 September she is no longer a Ukrainian, but now an American model with the Down syndrome. Even if she never learns to speak, draw and cross-stitch, she can still develop her dancing and acting skills. It is really wonderful that some of these children could draw their lucky tickets despite all the challenges they had to face in their early childhood and in our country. Believe in wonders, my friends!