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John LahutskyAmerican, adopted from Russia as a child
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Biography of John Lahutsky
- Early Life
- A New Life in America
- Life in Pennsylvania
- The Boy from Baby House 10
Biography of John Lahutsky
John Lahutsky is an American who was adopted from Russia at a young age. His remarkable journey from a difficult life in his home country to the United States has been captured in a book, which has undergone several editions. The book, titled "The Boy from Baby House 10", was written by journalist Alan Philps, with Lahutsky himself as a co-author. The title alone speaks volumes about the captivating story of John Lahutsky.
Early Life
John, originally named Vanya Pastukhov, was born in Moscow, Russia in 1990. He was not born in the best of health, as he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. At the age of 18 months, he was abandoned by his parents and placed in a baby house. His 6-year-old sister, Olya, was also left in a different orphanage. The early 1990s were a challenging time in Russia, and the conditions in the orphanages were no exception. Despite being labeled as developmentally delayed and considered "uneducable", John's life took an unexpected turn.
A New Life in America
Through the active involvement of journalist Alan Philps, his wife Sarah, and a Russian woman named Vika, John found himself adopted by Paula Lahutsky, an American woman. Paula came across a bulletin in a church that detailed the difficult life of a Russian boy surviving in truly dire conditions. At the age of 6, John, whose prognosis with cerebral palsy seemed grim, was placed in an adult psychiatric institution. However, thanks to the intervention of Philps and Sarah, a new mother was found for the Russian boy in Paula Lahutsky.
Life in Pennsylvania
In the United States, John's life began anew as a 9-year-old. He quickly adapted to his new name, forgetting his Russian language skills along the way. John now lives a fully integrated life, free from demeaning labels and limitations. He resides in Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania, where he completed his schooling in the Bethlehem Area School District. John is actively involved in the Scouts of America, attends church, has many friends, and adores his Chihuahua named Jambo. He has a passion for history and was recognized as an exemplary student.
The Boy from Baby House 10
John Lahutsky is now a vibrant American young man. Like many of his peers, he enjoys watching football and baseball games, as well as old TV shows, historical programs, and movies. However, his most treasured possession is his family. The thought of what his life could have been like in Russia is too distressing to contemplate, as many of the people he shared his early years with are no longer alive. Regarding the controversy surrounding the infamous "Dima Yakovlev Law," John holds a clear opinion: "Children should not be pawns in political games." Having experienced the Russian orphanage system firsthand, he firmly believes that there is no future for Russian disabled children. The book "The Boy from Baby House 10" has undergone multiple reprints and has been translated into several languages.
