Dana L. Yeoman, DDS
Dentures and Implants
The Power of a Smile to Transcend Borders Part 14
Site last published: 08/28/10
The Power of a Smile to Transcend Borders Part 14
I introduced you to Katya a few of articles ago. She was the very darling four year old orphan caught sticking her tongue out at the camera. There were very few pictures of her that did not have that hostile tongue protruding out, or else she ran away while mumbling Ukrainian words that sounded uncouth to American ears (with or without a translation). I likened her to the Yozhik hedgehog, all prickles, threats, bites, and feistiness.
Because Katya was so cute, the Americans kept trying to win her over, wondering how hard could it possibly be to make friends with a kid? Apparently it was a lot harder than we thought. The girl we all wanted to hug, baby, and coddle would have none of it. No bribe, no sweet talk, no goofy game ever got her to warm up to any of us. As far as dentistry goes, Katya would hardly let me swab fluoride on her teeth. I put on the sticky kind and hoped for the best. That was my one and only chance because she would then be done with me.
Katya had been found in the streets before being placed in this orphanage. I can only begin to imagine how she survived at such a young age. Begging? Scrounging trash bins? Most of the street children that end up in orphanages have been abandoned or neglected by addict parents. Not having a foster program in Ukraine, the government tries to get them placed in orphanages. However, after the children have survived alone for some time they get to be feral, and do not like the rules and constraints of a home. They prefer their freedom over a warm bed and full bellies. Sometimes they will run away from the orphanages at night and disappear back into the streets. That’s hard for me to understand, but then again I am accustomed to the luxuries of a soft pillow, a happy tummy, and running water. Apparently they aren’t considered necessities by some.
All I can say is that Katya must have been remarkably intelligent to survive harsh conditions of the streets at the age of four. She would have had to contend with the winter weather, find food, and avoid predators -- I can’t even find words for how I feel about vile child traffickers. Therefore, when Katya had no intentions of being sweet and cuddly to us, it made sense why. She was smart enough to protect herself from an ugly world. She was also smart enough to protect herself from the very people that should have provided her protection.
It infuriated me that the same girl we all wanted to love had been cast aside. Didn’t that mother see what a precious little girl she had? Now Katya might never have a normal attachment to anyone her entire life. I just hoped the healthier atmosphere of the orphanage would help her grow through it.
Love did seem to show up, however, in the form of a furry feline.