Marina- A Love Story

In January, 2004, Marina's adoptive parents, Rebecca and Richard, were working with Youth With a Mission in Ukraine and were invited to extend their work with abandoned children to Children’s Hospital #1 in Kiev. 

Their first visit was to the abandoned baby ward, where infants and toddlers with chronic or terminal illnesses live with minimal medical care, very little food, and almost no tenderness. 

On that first day they met and fell in love with Marina.  She was a very sick baby and was not expected to live long.  Marina was nine months old, very thin, pale, and obviously suffering.  But they saw a little girl who desperately wanted to live and wanted love.  They knew right away that Marina was extraordinary. 

Marina suffered from an extreme circulatory and blood clotting disorder. Rebecca and Richard would have prayer chains every year when the cold weather came to Kiev; the cold weather would cause a slowing of her blood flow and Marina underwent numerous surgeries to remove gangrenous tissue.

At the age of three, Marina was allowed to come to the USA for medical care. She weighed only 12 pounds. She could not sit up or speak, and could barely eat. She was admitted to Dupont Children's Hospital in Delaware and underwent genetic testing. Her diagnosis was a severe blood clotting disorder passed on by her biological parents who were most likely affected by Chernobyl. It was suggested that Marina should come to Florida to  keep her warm. Since that time, Marina has had 13 surgeries on her mouth, hands, legs, and arm.

Marina continues to amaze her family every day with her determination to do what other children can do.  Having fully recovered from a stroke caused by a clot at 6 years old, Marina can walk, dance and even jump on her prosthetics.  She can write holding a pencil between two of her four fingers and is doing her best to keep up with her classmates.  She loves people and wants to be friends with everyone she meets.  She is happy, despite of all her hospitalizations and medical procedures. 

In 2015, after twelve years of searching for a diagnosis and the cause of all Marina’s suffering, there has been a breakthrough. 

In the fall of 2014, a study was completed and research was published about a newly discovered genetic disorder that explains all that Marina has been through.  Only 7 people in the world have been diagnosed with this genetic disorder.  A treatment is in the trial stage that will hopefully stop the progress of the disorder and help Marina live a healthier life. 

In the meantime, her family is thrilled to be on this journey with her- watching her enjoy all the small moments of life that most people take for granted.  Marina’s declaration for each day of life is "Mommy, this is the best day ever!” 

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