List date(s) this work was published or aired.
Feb. 14, 2011
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
Parents who adopt children from Eastern Europe face a 50-50 chance of getting a child affected by fetal alcohol syndrome.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
The story was based on research studies measuring the impact of fetal alcohol syndrome among children from Eastern European orphanages, as well as published studies on the diagnosis and treatment of FAS.
Explain types of human sources used.
I conducted extensive interviews with parents of adoptees, experts on fetal alcohol syndrome, and other individuals involved in the realm of foreign adoptions.
Results:
The article attracted a lot of attention from individuals involved in foreign adoptions as well as among parents with children diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome.
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
none
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Spend as much time with the parents and the children as you can.