Hope for Kirill: One Family Fights for their Son

There was no way to prepare.

After five hours of questioning in a Russian courtroom, the ruling came. Kirill would not be coming home that day because the four-year-old boy with Down Syndrome was deemed "'not socially adaptable' due to his 'medical condition' and he was better off in an institution than in a home with a family," according to a blog post that mother Tesney Davis wrote later that week.

The Davis family of Tuscaloosa, AL, has been trying for almost two years to adopt a child with Down Syndrome from Russia. The first adoption, a boy named Sergey, fell through when one of his family members adopted him. Then, they fell in love with Kirill.

Shortly after filing new papers, adoptions took a shocking turn when Tennessee woman sent her adoptive son on a plane back to Moscow alone.

While they waited for adoptions to be reinstated in Russia, the Davis family learned several things about the nature of Down Syndrome adoptions in Eastern Europe.

Tesney, in her blog, wrote, "During that time, we found out that Kirill is the first child from his region ever to be adopted with Down Syndrome. A birth mother keeping her child with Down Syndrome is unheard of in this area of the world. Adoptions of children with Down Syndrome just don’t happen there, these children are literally hidden away from society in orphanages and mental institutions. As our process continued, it became apparent that Kirill would be a pioneer. If our adoption was approved, it would pave the way for other children with special needs to be adopted from this region."

Last week, in what should have been their final court date, the judge denied the Davis' adoption. They were told they could adopt another child, but not this one because he had Down Syndrome. They immediately filed an appeal, but are still uncertain of the outcome.

For full details on the Davis' adoption, check out this story by the Orphan Justice Center.

Now, they're turning to you. The Davis family is asking for prayers and awareness of their situation. You can help by showing your support for international adoptions by commenting on this story.  We've got one to get you started.

Tammy Bester, mom of 3:

Wow. This was such a heartbreaking story to read. I can not understand how a child, any child, is better off with out a family. I am saddened by this. I don't even know what to say. As a mother, I can not imagine any child being rejected for any reason. As a daughter, I can not imagine growing up without a family.  This precious child is being offered a family and is being told no. I do not understand how anyone, regardless of their cultural background, could deny a child a family. 
I can only pray that this judge will see that every human deserves a chance. This child is loved and wanted. I truly hope the judge changes her mind on this and allows this child to go home with his parents and be with his brother. It is just the human thing to do.

My opinion is not very insightful. I am just in shock and so saddened by this.