Girl spends Christmas with family that wanted to adopt her

A 14-YEAR-OLD girl whose adoption by a Kerry couple was stopped at the last minute in 2002 has returned to Belarus after spending Christmas with them in Tralee.

George and Mary Sugrue, who have been involved in the Chernobyl Children’s Project for 10 years, met then four-year-old Marharyta in 2000.

She was severely disabled, believed to be an orphan and was about to be sent to a mental institution.

They brought the young girl, who suffers from a number of conditions, including club foot, home to Tralee, where they put in place a rigorous programme of physiotherapy and constant medical help from Kerry General Hospital.

“She wasn’t able to walk when she came to us, but when she returned to Belarussia three years later she was able to run,” Ms Sugrue recalled.

The couple were confident of being able to adopt her and went through all the protocols.

However, at the last minute, as the final stages were being completed in late 2002, after almost three years of 24/7 care by the Sugrues, the girl’s mother came forward and said she would not allow the adoption.

“It was the most heartbreaking situation I have ever had to face,” Mary said of having to hand the little girl back.

Still involved in the Chernobyl Children’s project, the Sugrues have stayed in close touch, bringing her to Ireland annually and footing medical care and clothing bills.

“It’s always great to have her back and she had a wonderful time during Christmas,” said Mr Sugrue.

“We didn’t get out as much as we had planned because of the weather, but we had a lot of people coming in and out, so Marharyta had plenty of visitors.”

Now 14, she has fluent English, is extremely bright and a whizz at computers.

“We adore her to bits – we can’t wait until June when she’ll return. No Christmas present would compare,” Ms Sugrue said.