“There are so many ways to be brave in this world, sometimes bravery involves laying down your life for something bigger than yourself, or for someone else. Sometimes it involves giving up everything you have ever known, or everyone you have ever loved, for the sake of something greater" quotes author, Veronica Roth. Some of the bravest women I know are those who choose to sacrifice their own comfort to bring an orphan home and love them relentlessly no matter what challenges may come. My mom is one of these courageous women. When I was eleven, my family adopted a sixteen-year-old girl from Ukraine. My adopted sister’s biological mother was an alcoholic, and her father left before she was born. When my sister was six years old, authorities …show more content…
The total number of orphans in this age group that were adopted in 2014 from Ukraine was only 199 (UNICEF). According to Across the World Adoptions, “An estimated 15,000 Ukrainian Orphans are aging out of the system every year. 10%-15% commit suicide before they reach the age of eighteen, 60% of girls become prostitutes, and 70% of boys become hardened criminals.” The need for families who are willing to adopt these older orphans insurmountable. However, adoption is not easy, and there are many challenges that adoptive families face during the …show more content…
Before the child even comes home, there are legal documents and paperwork that have to be filled out, and a home-study has to be conducted, in which a social worker comes to your house and interviews each family member. This process can take months, but for most families, it takes up to two years. When the child comes home, there are even more changes and sacrifices that have to be made. Due to the educational, psychological, and emotional needs my adopted sister had, life as my family knew it stopped. My mom had to sacrifice work, her hobbies, and spending time with friends and family to offer my sister the support she