Why Russia? Why didn't we Adopt through the U.S. Foster Care System?

Many of my adoption friends have been in the news in the past few days, and like us, have noticed that in the comment section of the online articles, the first comment that anyone makes usually goes something like this:

"Why don't they just adopt through the US Foster Care system? There are many, many kids who need homes right here in the USA."

That is a good question, and it's time that I address it, as far as we are concerned.

To these people, I would first like to say this: We think that domestic adoption through the foster care system is a wonderful choice, if that's what you feel called to do. (Are YOU doing anything to help?) But ALL children deserve the love of a family, no matter where they happened to be born. No child is more deserving than another.

#1  For us, we didn't weigh the options: US Foster system vs. Russia. We were led directly to our girls and they happened to live in Russia. We didn't choose the country.  God chose Anya and Hazel for us. They are our daughters, and we just had to do whatever it took to get them out of the bad situation that they are in and into our family. Only those who have adopted can understand this. You are led to your kids, no matter what reason you have for adopting, or where they are located.

#2 When I say bad situation, this is what I'm talking about: Most children who are born with obvious disabilities in Eastern-block countries are left at the hospital and signed over to their government forever.  It's VERY rare that people in their own country step forward to adopt them. They usually stay at the hospital for a few weeks or months, then when space comes available, they're transferred to "baby homes," or orphanages for babies up to age 4.

The ones who aren't adopted by that time are then transferred to orphanages for older children. But when the babies with obvious disabilities turn four, they are usually sent to institutions that are just plain awful. They go from OK circumstances to BAD ones, and there's little to no hope of ever getting out. Many die within several years, due to poor medical care and neglect.

Every person that we talked to in Russia was completely amazed when we told them that Anya attends a regular first-grade class, plus gets one-on-one help where needed at school.  This is completely out of the question in Russia. There is NOTHING available for people with disabilities there. Couple that with a society that shuns people who are different, and you have people who would never, ever adopt someone with a disability like Down Syndrome. I was told by several Russians that our daughters would never have the chance for a family if it weren't for the Americans who are willing to adopt them.

#3 The vast majority of the children in the US who are in immediate need of parents...ready to be adopted...are older than we feel comfortable bringing into our family right now, since we have some young children. Most are teens. The little ones are placed in families with no problem, unless they have significant special needs or medical needs, which we don't feel equipped to handle right now.

#4 The reason we wanted to adopt is to provide a family for children who wouldn't otherwise have one. We decided that if we were going to adopt, we were not going to be placed on a waiting list to adopt a young, "healthy" baby. Those children need to go to people who can't have children through birth.  We can.

#5 We feel like our calling right now is to adopt, not to keep kids temporarily, then have to let them go. That may be for a different season, but not now.

I hope that answered some questions! I know my mom gets asked this question a lot, so I hope this will help.