An Adoption Story (S1): Adopted from Krasnodar, Russia to NY - Zachary-Victor's Journey

[@karenmccumiskey7639]

I’m so proud of my son. Thank you so much Alex for her giving Zach and other adoptees an opportunity to share their story. And thank you for allowing me to be part of it.

[@alexgilbert]

Thank you Karen for being part of it. Thank you for sharing your experience for Zach!

[@Maria-fm1tj]

Karen, you are a fantastic mother ❤. Thank you for your kindness and sincere!

[@smoffatt2009]

This is almost exactly our story! We tried for 12 years! We adopted our 1st son domestically, then had 4 failed adoptions afterwards and finally went to Siberia to adopt our 2nd son. He was 14 months old. Soooo much pain, anxiety, stress and then joy! They are 28 and 24 now. His birth family includes an older half sister and younger half brother. Alcohol also involved. He was placed in an orphanage at 3 months old. She wasn't an addict but his grandmother who cared for him was and he wasn't safe. He's always known his story. Amazing how we experienced such similar story.

[@smoffatt2009]

Although my son never met his half siblings, they are aware of him and visa versa. His birth mom died at 36 a long time ago. He, unlike your son, doesn't feel the need to meet them though.

[@hughphillips1427]

You’re a lovely mother, I am adopted so I understand the feelings of an adoptee. You’re a good honest person with a lovely family.

[@erinhall8294]

Zach …. What a precious , kind man you are . Such a legacy to unfold for you and your adoptive parents. Praying for breakthrough for all of your family .

[@letitiakearney2423]

Lovely and sad story, but at least he’s got a lovely sister and nephews. Hope he gets to meet his older sister and father.

[@Nurse_Traveler]

Very well done. This episode really captured the essence of Zachary's story and his feelings about everything surrounding his identity. Very proud of my nephew.

[@Maria-fm1tj]

Thank you, Alex and Zach. You are very lucky people to be adopted and not grow up in an orphanage. 🙏 Your lovely parents gave you all real love and happy childhood. This is much more important than all biological roots. Be happy and love ❤️

[@Patricia-fw1sp]

I so agree people adopting, they are indeed special people loving caring and oh so giving full unconditional love ❤️ 😍 💖 without a doubt I have the utmost respect for these beautiful people they so deserve a gold medal for sure❤❤❤

[@janicem4382]

I love that he knows everything about his history. A sign of great parents. They treasured and remembered everything and passed it on.

[@StaffanSwede]

Having watched a couple of adoption story videos, without being an adoptee myself, I sort of hear that there is some kind of ongoing process where emotions battle with facts and intellect and the persons you have interviewed expresses it in many ways. They seem to develop a strategy where both heart and brain manage to work things out and I must say that they are very eloquent when they express it, even though it is said in many different ways. It sounds easy when written down, but it must take a lot of effort to process it and that's worth loads of admiration. Thank you for making this series of videos that gives the rest of us a chance to understand a little of it.

[@Yulkac]

с удовольствием посмотрела эту историю, очень приятно видеть какими вырастают дети, прошедшие детский дом и усыновление. Я сама приемная мама, мой сын пока еще малыш, но понимаю сколько ему еще предстоит пройти. спасибо, Алекс, за этот проект, людям за то что делятся своими чувствами и переживаниями.

[@sclark223]

Everyone in this is so articulate and emotionally sensitive and mature. Really loved that you shared, and loved *how* you shared.

[@kuparinmaaria5252]

lovely story! Alez Gilbert great work!!

[@loud_hailer6240]

This was a great interview! good advice too, much love!

[@ДолговаНаталья-г1ц]

What a wonderful young man has become Victor thanks to his adopteve parents, they did such a great job! Каким замечательным человеком вырос Виктор благодаря приемным родителям! Vitya, come home, visit Russia, there is so much to learn. Витя, приезжай в Россию обязательно, чтобы соприкоснуться с корнями, еще столько предстоит узнать. Thank you for your work, Alex. I've seen the story of you meeting your biological mother too. There are stories that I keep thinking of and going back to them for years, your story just doesn't let me go. It has survival in it, growing something beautiful out of not fortunate circumstances. Whishing you all the best!

[@jennypalmer331]

Alex you are a gift to humanity, I have loved all the stories and I have only just found you. You are a gift to humanity for helping adoptees but also to birth parents who had to give you all up. We should never judge anyone especially birth parents. We dont know what caused them to have to give up their children. You are an amazing young man full of love and compassion. I live in Australia and have never thought about children who have been adopted. You have opened my eyes to another world and I am so grateful, Thank you

[@evaalarcon808]

Thank you for sharing your personal life . It touched my heart. God Bless you.

[@siobhan7798]

Thank you Alex and Zachary Victor, great episode

[@AnnetteMurphyger]

Spasibo (thanks)

[@AnnetteMurphyger]

Todah

[@snuggisthecute]

His story is beautiful, but his outlook on life is just incredible! I loved this and I hope to adopt someday.

[@debbiemclean9353]

Good stuff, thank you

[@katysummer9418]

I think its very important for adoptees to know that they are adopted and not hide it because that does more damage.

[@cal205]

Another very articulate adoptee!

[@williamcohen3351]

Great interview. It is interesting to see some distant similarities in his story to your own story.

[@studio95951]

This was an amazing story, Alex. Thank you and Victor for sharing it. 😊👩‍👩‍👧‍👦

[@texasgina]

I'm so glad this just popped up I don't know how I missed this episode this was fabulous great job Alex

[@ritamailheau771]

Awesome bravery. Thank you for sharing your experience and learning to help others.

[@amyholman354]

I can see how that intro to music with “Wipeout” no less, after many months of quiet, and little stimulation, would be even more indelible on his brain, his psyche.

[@annacardillo7075]

I was also adopted from krasnodar in 1997

[@hhin]

Did you have a good upbringing?

[@hettyherz]

Zachary's parents are great, and he grew up into a very intelligent, well-spoken, and talented man; it's a pleasure to listen to his story. So true that real reunions are not like a movie. You really meet a person you never knew, and an instant connection is a rare thing, I guess. Besides, biological parents may feel anxious about not having a steady life, not being able to give their biological child anything (I don't mean finances or other material things); they may feel insecure because even years after their child was adopted, they still haven't archived anything their child could be proud of. Lucky those who were adopted from Russia. And it's deeply wrong and sad that international adoptions were banned there.

[@cal205]

Russia banned U.S. adoptions in 2012. This included adoptions in progress.

[@hettyherz]

@@cal205 Well, I know when it happened. And lucky those who could catch the last adoption train. Russia did a stupid and cruel thing to all the orphans now left there without future.

[@AnnetteMurphyger]

Shalom Zach

[@randomvintagefilm273]

Awwe, he was such a cute baby! ❤

[@michellewinkler3985]

I was placed for adoption in the 1960's. I only recently met my brother and 2 sisters because we all took a Ancestry DNA test. I flew back to Chicago to meet them. My bio father had a "fling" when he was in his early 20's and paid my bio mother off $500 which was a lot back in the day, to say I wasn't his. She used part of that money and flew to another state and gave me up. It was shameful for teens to have kids out of wedlock back then. He went on to get married and have the 3 kids. His kids didn't even know about me, he was too ashamed to tell me. He had passed away by this time but when the kids asked their mom about it after the DNA test, she said, "oh yea, I forgot about that. He had put a letter in the basement ceiling and told me if anyone ever came calling to get the letter". I never got that letter, he died and they sold the house.

[@BernardProfitendieu]

contact the current owners with your story - that letter might still be sitting in that basement ceiling waiting for your eyes to read it!

[@michellewinkler3985]

@@BernardProfitendieu I've thought about it, but I'm pretty old now, and sure they have probably remodeled or something. I know my story, so I'm not don't really want to bother someone If I contacted them, they'd probably think I was nuts! And I also think it would bring up sad memories and some pain. But thx for the suggestion! :)

[@AnnetteMurphyger]

I also love music

[@АннаЛюбимова-я8ф]

Собрались поговорить два русских человека... Спасибо тебе, Алекс! So interesting and deep conversation.

[@alexgilbert]

Спасибо большое)))!!

[@AnnetteMurphyger]

Срасибо

[@AnnetteMurphyger]

Praise Adonai

[@AnnetteMurphyger]

What is your Patronomic

[@janicem4382]

I am surprised that they only had to jump through all the hoops when they adopted overseas. Why don’t they have to do these things in the US?

[@BernardProfitendieu]

Generally, they do. There are some "private adoptions" agreed between families, or maybe with a pastor/priest arranging it that are less regulated, but most American domestic adoptions have all the hoops in the world to jump through!

[@sunshine2577]

Nice Story! Vitya you have to meet Russian Women!!!!❤️🇷🇺❤️

[@AnnetteMurphyger]

Sorry, but my Russian speling using the Cyrillic allphabet isn't as good as it was in 1995

[@71lynda]

There’s no resemblance with the sister but maybe because of different fathers? I wish there’s a DNA test done for all.

[@sissyrayself7508]

I see a resemblance with his sister..and also with the mom.

[@BernardProfitendieu]

I think they look alike, but ferchrissakes, woman! you do realize that not all siblings look alike, don't you? geez p.s. these people are not just pawns who need to get DNA tested for your youtube entertainment

[@AnnetteMurphyger]

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