As the 2014 Winter Olympics begin in Sochi, Russia, sports commentators will report results and human interest stories twenty-four hours a day. The stories will excite and move viewers, young children will start to dream of their day to compete as Olympic athletes. For Tatyana McFadden, the 2014 Paralympics will be another opportunity for her to demonstrate just how many obstacles she has been able to overcome throughout her life.
After being diagnosed with spina bifida, Tatyana was placed in a Russian orphanage, where she spent the first six years of her life. Life was dire at the orphanage and there was no money to buy Tatyana a wheelchair, so she used her hands and arms as legs and feet in order to move from place to place; this allowed her to develop strength in her upper body that would later in her life be crucial to competition in sports. At age six, Tatyana was adopted by Donna McFadden and came to the United States to join McFadden’s family.
Tatyana arrived in the United States, and she became ill. During her recovery, Donna enrolled her in local sports leagues to keep her active and give her a way to socialize with other children. Tatyana fell in love with wheelchair racing, and by 2004, she had excelled to a level worthy of competition at the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, Greece. She also competed at the 2008 Paralympic games in Beijing, winning four medals. Tatyana continues to compete in wheelchair racing at University of Illinois, where her teammates have nicknamed her “Beast” because of her strength and intensity.
In the 2014 Winter paralympics, Tatyana will compete in a sport different from wheelchair racing – cross-country skiing. Despite the difference between the two sports, Tatyana’s strength, endurance and desire to succeed will help her compete at a high level. From the beginning of her life, Tatyana has fought against the odds, and she uses her success platform to fight for equality for others with disabilities. She raises money and advocates for Bennett Blazers, an organization that helps youth with disabilities compete in sports, and has raised awareness of the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, but her advocacy does not end with sports related causes.
Since Tatyana’s adoption, Russia has closed its doors to international adoption, leaving countless children without forever families to care for them. She sees the 2014 Olympics as an opportunity to travel back to Russia, have her birth mother watch her compete and show the Russian government the way adoption can change a child’s life. She hopes to do so by winning a medal in one of her races.
Tatyana’s story demonstrates how valuable international adoption can be in the lives of children and also how determination can lead to success.
Photo Credit: ccho
For more information about MLJ Adoptions’ international adoption programs, please click here.
Caitlin Snyder
Caitlin Snyder works as the Director of Marketing and Outreach for MLJ Adoptions. Working in international adoption has given Caitlin the unique opportunity to pursue both a passion to advocate on behalf of vulnerable people and a profession at the same time.
Caitlin Snyder
Caitlin Snyder works as the Director of Marketing and Outreach for MLJ Adoptions. Working in international adoption has given Caitlin the unique opportunity to pursue both a passion to advocate on behalf of vulnerable people and a profession at the same time.