Catch Up #4: Final Adoption Steps in Kyiv

We got to our new flat in Kyiv, and threw our bags in. I took 10 minutes to shave and clean up a bit, but there was no time to unpack or shower.

We scrambled off in moments to the American Embassy, leaving Colin and Claire at the homestead.

I have to admit, it was nice to be on American soil, if only briefly, and not feel self-conscious about speaking English.

Ruslan and Valik really enjoyed the security check, especially being wanded for metal. I don't think they knew what was going on, but they thought it was cool.

I miss my workouts at home. The door there must have about 3 inches of glass, and was hard to open.

The people there were very nice and helpful. Nothing like the typical bureaucrat. They went over each form I had to fill in in detail and gave me a new one without grumbling when I made a mistake. Kudos to the State Department (FYI: this was pre-Clinton tenure).

They also were flexible in setting a Visa appointment for that afternoon. We were trying to get our medical exam that day and return, but were unsure of the time. They gave us a tentative appointment and said just to call if we could not make it. Wow. I've never had a government process work so well (and I don't think anyone who knows me has ever heard me compliment a government agency).

After filling out gobs of paperwork and paying $800 fee for the 2 boys, we ran off to some hospital that is blessed for medical exams. I think this means they are Western-trained, but it may be that they just have met some government standards. Not sure really.

The doctor was a very nice woman around 50-55 years old. I have never seen a doctor spend so much time in an appointment. We were there for about 1 1/2 hours.

Valik misbehaved terribly while the doctor discussed the existing medical records with us. He kept grabbing things from her desk and around the office. He pulled items off the wall and kept putting things like coins in his mouth. He would not respond to our requests or demands and laid on the floor when he didn't get his way.

However, when the doctor began her exam, he straightened right up. He obeyed all her commands and was good about letting her exam him. He did giggle a good bit. He is a boy after all. He also answered all her questions and did the best he could at identifying words and letters and counting. He can count to 10 and knew a few letters, but that is all.

Her opinion of him initially was quite negative, but as she did her exam and saw him respond she saw that he was not slow, just hyperactive (which we already knew of course). She was able to dispel a few diagnoses in his official (and quite sparse) medical records. She also noted a problem with his adenoids (a simple fix) and a curvature of his little finger, suggesting some neglect at an early age. We hadn't noticed that but it was consistent with what we know of his upbringing (which I would rather not go into here).

After his exam, Yulia (thankfully) took him to sit with her, and the doctor examined Ruslan.

His health is good. She was not pleased with his reading and math knowledge (which is to say, none at all). But it appears that this is more due to the education he has received so far rather than his ability.

She wrapped up saying that she didn't really see why we were adopting since we already had two children. She said that our biological children should come first before the new boys. Apparently, she shares the typical (so we are told) Ukrainian bias against adopted children. Obviously, we disagreed and said all our children are equal.

After the exam, Nancy and Yulia took the boys to the hospital cafeteria for some soup and barley while I waited for the medical package (required for the embassy) and paid for the exam ($220 for both boys).

The medical exam is actually for the benefit of immigration and not for us. They really just want to see if there are any communicable diseases and such (there are not).

Afterward, we returned to the embassy in time for our 2:30 appointment.

Again, the staff was very kind, while Valik was not. He kept pressing the call button for the staff, was very loud, threw himself limp to the floor, and yelled obscenities. It was not pleasant. (FYI, Ruslan was not perfect, but in comparison was very good).

We apologized to the staff for the names they were called. One woman came to the counter and told him in Russian that they do not allow little boys who use such language to come to America. I don't think he bought it. I guess he has seen American television. But it was a valiant effort on her part.

We had to wait about 20 minutes for visa processing which was good, because usually they only give it to you after 24 hours.

They came to the window with 2 sealed packets, one for each boy. We are to give these to INS agents at the airport in Charlotte when we arrive. They are to remain sealed. We then found out that the only copy of the medical report is in there.

Explaining that to the woman at the embassy, she offered to break the packet open and make a copy for us. Again, great service.

With that, and after a tired day, we were now finished with the adoption process in Ukraine and were ready to leave.

But we wanted to stay a few days to sight see in Kyiv, since we weren't able to at the beginning of the trip.

We went back to the flat to get cleaned up and settled in. After all, we still were wearing the same clothes we wore in Lugansk and on the train.