December 15, 1999
The boy who survived against the odds
___By Scott Collins
___Buckner News Service
___ST. PETERSBURG, Russia--Vanya wasn't supposed to live. The severe swelling of his head caused by water on the brain was a certain sign of his impending death, we were told in 1996.
___The first time we saw him, he was living in Babies Home No. 16 in St. Petersburg, Russia. It was easy to find Vanya among all the other infants. He stood out because of the abnormal size of his head.
___As Mike Douris lifted Vanya from his cradle and held him in his arms, I shot several photos, including one we ran in Buckner Today. Later in 1996, cinematographer Stephen George captured images of Vanya for a Buckner film crew documenting the plight of Russian orphans.
COLLINS with Vanya
___The photo and film brought an outpouring of interest in Vanya from Buckner friends who were concerned about his future. Several people offered to pay for a surgical procedure to reduce the swelling.
___But when Amy Norton, director of Buckner International Services, made the offer, Russian officials politely declined, telling her the surgery would be in vain. There was no way Vanya would live even with the surgery, they said. It would be a waste of money.
___That was nearly four years ago. So it was a surprise to me in November when Amy nudged me as I looked through my camera and whispered, "Look over there," pointing to Vanya.
___Orphanage No. 40 was a beehive of activity as dozens of children chattered excitedly about their American visitors. There I was again, a camera planted firmly against my eye focusing on the joy of the children as they celebrated getting new shoes and other gifts. Standing behind me with a video camera recording the event was Stephen George. And next to us was Amy.
___We watched from across the room as Vanya showed off his new shoes and a pencil someone had given him. All three of us had tears in our eyes as the scene unfolded. The boy who wasn't supposed to make it had made it.
___When Amy inquired about Vanya's fate, the director of the orphanage, a loving and kind woman, told her Vanya's parents had relinquished their rights when he was born. He was available for adoption immediately.
___"Do you want him?" the director asked. "Take him. Please take him. He will have no future here."
___For me, Vanya symbolizes the plight of thousands of Russian orphans. They have made it. They are survivors. But for what? For how long? Now what?
___For information on Buckner's Russian orphan adoption program, call (214) 381-1552.
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