Russian adoptee says proposed ban on American adoption ban is unfair, inaccurate

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 13:52:00 -0600

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said he would sign a bill banning adoption of Russian children by Americans -- retaliation for a U.S. human rights bill targeting Russians. The measure sparked protests from U.S. diplomats, and from Russian children and their adoptive U.S. parents.

Angela Miller (Anjela Tisganova)

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 23:53:19 -0600

I was adopted from Russia in 1994 by a strong American family.

I had just turned four years of age, and while I was vastly unprepared for this life change, neither were my parents. What could have possibly prepared my new family for the night-terrors, the horrific stories, and the heart wrenching loss I felt? Nothing. But my family gave me love, and an incredible chance to strive academically, socially, and emotionally, in ways that Russia could not even begin to address.

That is all I needed. I needed love, I needed encouragement, I needed to be needed. In Russia, if you are an orphan, society lets you know you are neither wanted nor needed. People desire to be accepted unconditionally, to be loved in abundance.

This is ban is a political gun cocked to fire, not at the leaders of America, but at the skulls of the orphans whose future is being sacrificed.

Leaders: Is political image more worth while than the lives and value placed on the very human beings who foolishly believe they are being protected and represented by you? Without the people, leaders would be nothing.

PRI: Public Radio International

Russian adoptee says proposed ban on American adoption ban is unfair, inaccurate

Angela Miller (Anjela Tisganova)