Good Shepherd history

When people learn in the course of conversation that our two boys were adopted from Russia the first thing they do is do a double-take and check out the kids, next they usually ask if they're biological brothers and then they make a statement about what a difference we made in their lives by adopting them. Chris and I don't think that adopting them was any heroic feat . We just formed our family in a way that's different from what most people do. We realize that their lives would have been different had they stayed in the Russian orphanage system.

I found it ironic that as I looked at the history of the Good Shepherd Rehab Hospital I learned that they started out as a an orphanage and a place where people could come to heal. The founders were known as "Mama and Papa" our kids have called us that since we left the orphanage with them in September, 2004. I found it remarkable that Andie ended up in this wonderful place and if there is such a thing as good karma around what we "did for" Josh and Dima it's definitely been paid back by having Andie get into such a great place when she really needs their help and all the good things they do for her. The staff has been great, all wonderfully caring and compassionate and they treat her with dignity and respect. I feel grateful that she's there in such good, capable hands.