“I don’t need a disabled child” A girl born with a leg defect was left in the maternity hospital by her mother. What happened to her afterward? A couple from America adopted the little girl. The girl turned out to be brave enough to grow up and become a world-renowned champion. Here is her incredible story.
When a seventeen-year-old girl from Irkutsk made the difficult decision to abandon her newborn daughter due to her leg defect, she unintentionally paved the way for a remarkable journey. Such stories are rare, but little Tanya turned out to be one of the lucky ones. Despite her congenital condition, she became a famous swimmer in the U.S. and won numerous medals at the Paralympic Games.
Oleg and Natalia were teenagers themselves when they learned about the impending birth of their child. Oleg was sixteen, and Natalia was just seventeen. They faced the daunting reality of having to care for a premature baby born without shins, ankles, and heels.
Lacking experience in caring for a disabled child and facing resistance from Natalia’s mother, they reluctantly made the decision to abandon their daughter. Despite advice from all sides, the young mother took little Tanya to the orphanage, deciding to retrieve her once they became financially stable.
However, a couple from America, Stephen and Elizabeth Long, adopted the girl, gave her the name Jessica, and surrounded her with love, devotion, and affection. Despite having her legs amputated below the knee, Jessica thrived under their care and quickly adapted to life in her new American family.
She developed a passion for sports and excelled in swimming alongside her siblings. When her talents were recognized, her parents enrolled her in sports programs where she trained with able-bodied children. After a few years, Jessica earned a spot on the Paralympic team and made her debut at the 2004 Games in Athens.
Her outstanding achievement of winning three gold medals captured the attention of the entire world. At the following Paralympic Games in London, she further solidified her status as a swimming star.
Soon, Jessica returned to Russia, where she was offered help in searching for her biological parents. Meeting Oleg and Natalia, who were still together and raising their family, turned out to be an emotional reunion. Despite not knowing about Jessica’s achievements, they were overjoyed at her success.
