Adoption story of son, grandfather both missing hands 'absolute whirlwind': mom

The mother of a young boy adopted from an orphanage in Kazakhstan says the family's been swept up in a media storm after the story of the boy and his new grandfather, who are both missing right hands, was widely shared online.

• Adopted grandson and new grandfather bond over missing right hands

Paradise couple Lesley and Doug Faceyrecentlyadopted four-year-old Kirill, who was born without a right hand and then placedfor adoption when he was just 20 days old. Couples who considered adopting the boy passed because of his disability.

People are saying, 'You guys are wonderful and you guys have done a fabulous thing,' but Doug and I never, ever thought that way.- Lesley Facey

Doug Facey'sfather, Chris Facey, was also born without a right hand, and the twohave since formed a special bond since the boy arrived in St. John's this fall. The family lives in nearby Paradise.

Mother Lesley Facey said her family's story has reached an unexpected number of people.

"It's been an absolute whirlwind, to be honest. It took off it went viral and we thought it was just going to be a story that resonated with a lot of people here who could relate."

After CBC News aired the family's story, Facey said she had people stop her in the mall to stay how touched they were.

But it's not just other families and passers-by.

The family has been contacted several times by the Shriners, offering their services if ever they're needed, and the War Amps have asked it Kirill would like to be a CHAMPkid.

Facey said she and her husband have been contacted byinternational media since CBC carried the storylast week, including by NBC'sThe Today Show in New York.

"We certainly weren't expecting any of this when this all started," she told CBC's St. John's Morning Show Thursday.

"A lot of people are saying, 'You guys are wonderful and you guys have done a fabulous thing,' but Doug and I never, ever thought that way."

Kirill not fazed

As for Kirill, Facey said he was excited when he saw himself on the news, but otherwise he doesn't seem to notice what's going on.

"I don't think it resonates with him at all," she said.

"He was just as excited yesterday that we went to McDonald's to get his free Halloween cookie."

Meanwhile, Facey said she and her husband are happy to speak with people and deal with the media requests, until "at some point other news" takes over the spotlight.