Adopted from Russia: Kian's Story of Identity, Loss, and Learning About His Roots

Kian Lafford was adopted from Omsk, Russia in September 2007. Born Valeriy Nikolaevich, he later received the name Kian after being adopted into an Irish family.

Growing up in a small town with a large Eastern European community made it easier for Kian to be open about his adoption and his background. His story, however, took a difficult turn in January 2024 when his mother passed away after a battle with a brain tumour. In reflecting on that loss, Kian began to see an unexpected connection between grief and adoption.

Since then, Kian decided to try learn more through DNA testing. While it did not provide all the answers he was hoping for, it offered him a huge insight into his genetic background and marked the beginning of a deeper journey into understanding where he comes from.