An Adoption Story (S1): Alexei's Journey from Ukraine to NZ & Life with Eisenmenger Syndrome

*S1 EP1 (2023 Series) An Adoption Story:* Alexei was born in Eastern Ukraine to then moving with his biological family to Velikiye Luki, Pskov, Russia. He was adopted into a New Zealand family at the age of eight. At an early age he was diagnosed with a rare heart condition, Eisenmenger Syndrome. He shares with me his journey, his outlook on life and the connections he has found overseas with his birth family. This is his story. Alexei currently has a Give A Little Page (similar to a GoFundMe page) below: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/please-help-my-sick-uncle --- *My Story* Welcome! Here on my channel, I share my personal journey as a Russian-New Zealand adoptee—adopted at two from Arkhangelsk, Russia—I also share my series An Adoption Story, a special series of mine, which shares the journeys of adoptees from around the world. Learn about my life as an adoptee, my upbringing in New Zealand, and the significance of embracing my roots—not only with those connections in Russia but also from Ukraine and Kazakhstan. ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9CEtZ8krbpJuiN5puov1ZfwOxsrnD8Si ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9CEtZ8krbpK192O8mJT9j-aQsyGH8J5I ➡︎ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9CEtZ8krbpLCtFknSa9MhpB5Lq_DWljj *An Adoption Story* Explore incredible stories of adoptees, each with their own unique path. ➡︎ Season Two (2024-present) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9CEtZ8krbpIVV7Va6nZ-13keTpb-9r8O ➡︎ Season One (2022-2023) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9CEtZ8krbpK6QoPzCMpNRl6NUG6jb8kZ *Subscribe* Don't forget to Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR8uOUAkjb85A1khfPZUUWQ?sub_confirmation=1 *Connect With Me* ➡︎ Instagram: https://instagram.com/alexgilbert ➡︎ Facebook: https://facebook.com/nzalexgilbert *I'm Adopted* ➡︎ Website: https://imadopted.org/ ➡︎ Facebook: https://facebook.com/imadoptedOrg ➡︎ Instagram: https://instagram.com/imadoptedOrg I’m passionate about connecting with adoptees and sharing stories that matter. Follow along as I reflect on family, identity, and connection. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:15 Titles 00:55 What Alexei Remembers 07:37 The Video Tape 10:26 Going to New Zealand 14:09 Health Diagnoses as a Child 18:24 Life Changing Times for Alexei 22:30 Alexei's Search for his Birth Family 27:38 A Close Family Friend - Wendy Hawke 32:12 The Long Lost Family 34:31 Advice for Those Who Struggle to Find Information 37:39 Keeping Positive 39:41 Outro / The Journey Continues