VLADISLAV MAKAROV Background

Coning and going: Vlad Makarov arrived Dec. 17 in the United States and will return to Russia on March 17. He arrived with an orphanage doctor and an interpreter; both have since returned to Russia.

Returning: Will return to America next year for adjustments on his prosthetics.

Home: Vlad lives at the Renewal Orphanage in Dmitrov, Russia. Vlad lost his legs below the knees when he was 12. He fell on railroad tracks, couldn’t get up and was run over by a train. His parents had no means to care for him and provide for special needs.

Education: A junior in high school, he is taking college-level computer courses and studying computer programming.

Plans: He has an interest in sports, especially soccer, and plans to participate in the Paralympics in the future. He can stay at the orphanage until he’s 23 then he will live on his own in an apartment with some government assistance.

Mission team: The Rev. Kathryn Adams, director of Protestant Campus Ministries at Youngstown State University and pastor of Fairview United Methodist Church in Niles, leads mission trips to Russian orphanages. She is planning a trip in December. For information, call the Rev. Mrs. Adams at (330) 743-0439 or by e-mail to kathrynpcm@aol.com.