Personal Journeys: Finding Max (Part 1)

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Personal Journeys: Finding Max (Part 1)

A Decatur couple journeys through Russia to adopt a charismatic little boy born with dwarfism. This is Part 1 of their odyssey into the murky world of Russian adoption.

Preserved in a family album are boarding passes and a snapshot of Jon and Andrea Waterhouse of Decatur as they embark on a trip to Russia in 2000 to adopt their son, Max. The 5-year-old boy was born with dwarfism and lived in an orphanage.

Max talks to his new grandparents from the Waterhouses' hotel room in Perm.

The new family poses for a quick snapshot in front of St. Basil's Cathedral. Having already spent a month in Perm, the Waterhouses were too burned out from their ordeal to tour Red Square.

Jon and Andrea with Max in September 2000 at an orphanage in Perm.

While waiting for the court date to finalize the adoption, Jon takes Max for a spin in the bumper cars at an amusement park in Perm.

Joy Campbell McKenzie, wearing her Orson costume from "H.R. Pufnstuf" without the mask in 1970 on the Universal Studios lot.

Max shows off his new American wardrobe at the Ural Hotel in Perm. He had no posessions of his own, so Jon and Andrea had to bring him clothes from Atlanta.

Because of his size, Max was prevented from attending school and spent his days at the orphanage with toddlers. He had never held a crayon until the Waterhouses gave him some at the Ural Hotel in Perm.

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Preserved in a family album are boarding passes and a snapshot of Jon and Andrea Waterhouse of Decatur as they embark on a trip to Russia in 2000 to adopt their son, Max. The 5-year-old boy was born with dwarfism and lived in an orphanage.

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