Alex Griffith, 16, was adopted as a baby from a Krasnoyarsk, Russia, hospital. Now, he’s raised more than $60,000 to design and build a playground for the Krasnoyarsk orphans back home.
In light of recent news reports of adoptive parents returning a boy to Russia, a GNN subscriber suggested I find a story that can better portray the reality of most adoptions — happy and loving parents nurturing compassionate children.
Alex — originally named Sergey — was adopted by a Maryland couple and brought to the US 16 years ago. While an infant in the orphanage, the baby weighed less than 2 pounds and doctors said he had a mild case of cerebral palsy. The couple nursed him back to health and later the teen found inspiration through a Boy Scout project, to give back to those Russians who helped him.
Watch the video below, or read the story at CNN Heroes. (Thanks to Rosemary for suggesting the story!)