We arrived by train this morning around 6:30 and wandered about
looking for some food. Nothing was open but a small kiosk with patio
seating…many of the tables were still occupied by those who started
drinking the night before, and found the table a suitable place to
pass out.So, among the unconscious revelers,
We had butter cookies and instant Nescafe for breakfast–the only
things available at that hour. But we didn’t have to wait too long to
go to the orphanage. Good thing, too because the stray dogs around
the kiosk were getting feisty and the drunks were starting to regain
consciousness.We spoke with the director of the orphanage who seemed quite taken
with Mr. Na. It’s funny, too, because we’ve noticed that when we tell
people in Ukraine how Mr. Na earned his nickname, they get a good
laugh out of it!

Then the head physician came in and began reading Little Person’s file
to us. As she did, the door opened and Little Person came into the
room holding a nurse’s hand. Little Person was quite little indeed,
but very precious and we were quite taken. Even Mr. Na did his best
to entertain Little Person. We spent a long time reviewing Little
Person’s history and observing and engaging…but it was hard because
Little Person wasn’t exactly engaged–until, of course, Mr. Na broke
out the cookies. But even then, Little Person would take a cookie and
then be done with us. Such a stark contrast from meeting Na for the
first time who, if he had the language, would have tried to sell us a
car when we first met him–he was that sociable.
We took notes and video and pictures and then after two hours we said
our goodbyes and left to scope out an apartment one of the orphanage
workers rented out to families. It’s a roomy place with air
conditioning and internet and a washing machine–and a steal for $50 a
night. We just don’t know how long we are going to be here, since
we’re still communicating back and forth with UW about Little Person.
The doctor has a few questions which we’ll have to get answered
tomorrow. It’s so hard at this point because I want to tell you
everything but I can’t because it’s too soon. Little Person SEEMS
healthy albeit super small and delayed by about a year. So the doctor
is going to run some pictures we took through their FAS software they
developed to see if there is any trace.I hate this part because no
matter how hard I try to remain detatched I still want this to work
out. It’d be hard to walk away.
More tomorrow.

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