Roman’s Story
By Janie Van Dyke, Orphan Advocate
Thanks to Bethany’s Caring Connection Fund, this boy, who was born without hope, is now living a healthy life with his adoptive family.
On August 6, 2001, a Ukrainian boy was born with a cleft palate, shortened arms, breathing issues, and hearing problems (undetected at the time). Immediately, this infant, named Roman, was placed in a Bethany-supported orphanage.
Roman was a sickly baby who grew to be a sickly toddler who was unable to walk and talk. He had trouble gaining weight and strength, which caused him to fall short of meeting developmental milestones.
In 2006, Bethany began sending Roman nutritional, supplemental drinks. Three times a day he drank them, along with his normal diet. Because his palate had not been surgically closed, eating remained difficult.
Steadily, Roman began to gain weight and strength. When he was five, Roman stood for the first time, which became a turning point in his overall progress. The staff discovered that Roman had a mind of his own and no trouble letting his caregivers know—loudly and clearly—what he liked and did not like. Then at age six, Roman’s palate was surgically closed, and he ate solid food for the first time!
In 2008, Roman joined his adoptive family! During the adoption process, his adoptive parents visited Roman by accompanying a church mission team on a trip to his orphanage. This trip allowed Roman’s new family to assess his needs firsthand and begin to build a forever bond with him.
Roman is loved and adored by his four sisters and his younger brother, who was also adopted from Ukraine. Now that he has hearing aids and glasses, the world has come alive for Roman. He is trying to speak and is growing in his ability to communicate. He loves going to school and seems to enjoy the challenges of first grade. His most recent passion has been learning to play the guitar with his feet!
A natural charmer, Roman enjoys attending Sunday school at the church where his father is a pastor. Roman’s church family has “adopted” his orphanage, and members have made two trips to Ukraine since Roman arrived in the U.S. This church has not forgotten the children left behind.
Seven-year-old Roman loves having a family. He survived by the grace of God—the One who knew the plans He had for this precious boy!