Ninoshka

Ninoshka lives with her foster mother, Fay, near the sea in Cape Cod. She is Puerto Rican and proud of it. A national flag adorns her bedroom wall.

Ninoshka was sexually abused by her mother's boyfriend several years ago. When her mother refused to give up the boyfriend (she married him instead), Ninoshka was taken into care. She has since lived in over fifteen foster homes.

In the past she had behavioural issues but since being with Fay, who is almost like a grandmother, she is much more settled both at school and at home.

Ninoshka is very keen to find a permanent family to call her own. She has been the subject of 'Heart Gallery', a sponsored scheme where professional photographers give their time for free to take portraits of chosen children.

Ninoshka goes on 'Wednesday's Child' but the phones don't ring. She attends the same adoption party as Justine and there, a woman called Debra has come a long way especially to meet her.

Debra and her husband Steve had seen Ninoshka in the MARE photo listings and then attended one of the Heart Gallery opening nights. They have two teenage biological children, Stephanie and Jeffrey. They are a middle class family from Grotton in North Massachusetts with a big house, a pet dog, a swimming pool – everything Ninoshka is looking for in a family.

Following Debra's interest at the adoption party, the fact that the family has already had a home study done means the adoption process can begin very quickly.

A few weeks later Ninoshka comes to their house in Grotton for the first time to spend the weekend with the family.

Finally, a few weeks later again, Ninoshka moves out of Fay's house and into her permanent new home. She will have to live here for at least six months before her adoption can be finalised.