Posted: 7:57 PM May 13, 2012
Reporter: Steve Ross

Parents Adopt to Give International Disabled Children Hope, Steve Ross Reports

Deana Perkins is the adoptive mother of Gracie, a child born with Down Syndrome in Russia. Deana explains that Gracie's prospects in Russia were dire, at best: "Gracie was, if you will, thrown away as an infant."

But, much as Moses was plucked from the reeds, Gracie was adopted by Chuck and Deana Perkins, and today she participated in a religious dedication ceremony.

Orphaned children living abroad, with Down Syndrome or other disabilities, may have a similar bright future, due to the growing number of willing would-be parents in the Tri-Cities, parents who sense a pronounced need.

Deana Perkins: "There are children that are very, very neglected, very lacking in medical care, and definitely in urgent need."

Grand Island's Evangelical Free Church encourages the international adoptions, which it says are a true lifeline to the adoptees.

Evangelical Free Church Pastor Gary Schulte: "There are a number of children in, especially in Russia, and other nations around the world where there's tremendous need. They're orphans, maybe they have special needs, and so they don't have much hope for them."

International adoption involves a challenging set of hurdles, but thanks to websites like Reece's Rainbow (http://reecesrainbow.org/), it's easier than ever to find a prospective adoptee, and to network with other parents to address adoptee disability issues.

In the Tri-Cities, the Kearney Area Down Syndrome Support Group shares information on international adoption, has raised funds through its "Step Up for-Down's" walkathon, and networks its members through its Facebook site.

Kearney Area Down Syndrome Support Group leader Kiffany Conner:
"They can connect with other families not only in Kearney, Nebraska, but across the U.S."

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