|
|
 |
|
08.2007
NICHOLAS BENEFITS FROM EXPANDED GRANT PROGRAM
Central Indiana Family Receives $5,000 From KFF
|
|
When Nicholas met Linda and Ed Wallner at his orphanage in Borovichi earlier this year, life started getting better. He had found a family and would soon get treatments for his badly injured left leg. The Wallners gave Nicholas a new life and the KidsFirst Foundation has responded through a $5,000 grant to help cover a portion of the costs associated with their adop.
Those are the facts, but it's the story behind the story that speaks volumes.
Before adopting Nicholas, Linda and Ed Wallner had a nice life. They lived in Westfield with their two daughters (Jenna and Amanda), and enjoyed attending St. Maria Goretti Church. They had a happy family, but Linda felt a calling to adopt.
“The calling was specifically for us to adopt two
little boys from a European country,” said Linda.
“It was something I had never given a thought to
until about five years ago. So, we investigated several
agencies and countries until we finally met with
Inna Pecar.”
Linda and Ed started the process of adopting in
2005. Then, on Christmas Eve of 2006, they brought
their first son (Michael) home from Orenburg. It was
a joyous occasion to be sure, but the Wallner's
hopes of bringing two boys into their family had
been dashed because of various complications.
Later, they traveled back to Russia and met Nicholas,
a little boy whose left leg was injured from the hip
down. He had great difficulty picking up his leg to
take a step forward and the Wallners knew there
would be challenges associated with bringing
Nicholas into their family. But, that's just what they
did and on March 17 of this year, Nicholas joined
Michael and his two sisters in Westfield.
“There are so many orphans with special needs
who never have the opportunity to find a family,”
said Deb Rigney, president of the KidsFirst
Foundation. “Linda and Ed have provided
Nicholas with an amazing gift and our Foundation
is thrilled to honor their spirit of giving.”
Since coming to the United States, Nicholas has
seen many doctors and has become a regular at
Riley Hospital. He has physical therapy three times a
week and usually averages four or more weekly
medical appointments as well.
Linda says that the physical therapy is helping him.
He is now able to get his foot flat on the floor and he
is working on building strength in his left leg. But, he
has 90 percent loss of use of the nerves and muscles
on the top side of his left leg. So, the goal of
walking unassisted one day is likely to take years.
“All of the medical visits can be draining at times, but
Nicholas has a sense of humor and a 100-watt
smile,” said Linda. “We have been stunned by the
Foundation's generosity. The assistance is so nice
and one day we will tell Nicholas about the people
who helped bring him from a lonely life in a Russian
orphanage to a country that will hopefully help him
walk again and lead a prosperous life.”
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Currently, more than one million children live in orphanages in the
former Soviet Union. Only about 15,000 are adopted each year. |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
The KidsFirst Foundation has already made a difference in the lives of many children and families. |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
