Love’s 6,000 Mile Powerful Path From Ukraine to Orange County

A Family’s Journey of Love, Advocacy, and Impact

Kenzie Collins is a vibrant 5-year-old who has been participating in our Leaps and Bounds program and receiving 1:1 literacy tutoring for the past year. Kenzie and loving her family are active members of GiGi’s Playhouse, both as participants and dedicated volunteers. Kenzie’s parents, Lee and Diana, are raising four children in Orange County, with Kenzie being the youngest. Adopted from Ukraine as an infant, Kenzie now enjoys life with her two brothers and sister, Emma.

Emma, a cheerleader at the local high school, volunteers her time at GiGi’s Playhouse by leading cheer clinics through the Teen Tastic program. Diana is not only a devoted mother and wife but also a small business owner. She recently acquired Littlest Warrior, an apparel line dedicated to spreading kindness and raising awareness.

Here, in her own words, is Diane’s story about her family, Kenzie’s adoption, and owning a small business:

“I have been married to my soulmate, Lee, for almost 25 years. We met on our high school graduation trip, and the rest is history! Together, we have four amazing kids, aged 23, 21, 15, and 7. Lee and I started our life together in a non-typical fashion for a young married couple. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Special Education, and with two babies at home, we launched our first business. We are true entrepreneurs, having started, grown, and sold many businesses over the years.

When our boys were in high school and our daughter was 9, we felt a calling to do more for children. Knowing there were so many kids in need of homes, food, and most importantly, love, we were drawn to the Reece’s Rainbow adoption advocacy site. That’s where we first saw a picture of a tiny baby girl with Down syndrome. I couldn’t get her out of my mind; I stared at her photo for hours, feeling as though she was calling to us. Before long, we signed the commitment paperwork, and we were on our way to Ukraine to adopt this precious baby. On October 17, 2017, at just 12 months old, Kenzie became our daughter!

Our journey with Kenzie started in a unique way. We “chose” her diagnosis and weren’t surprised by it, but bringing her home quickly taught us that our role as parents would involve much more than just love and care. We would need to fight and advocate for her. From volunteering at our local Down syndrome organization to attending GiGi’s Playhouse Orange County events, joining support groups, and navigating countless medical appointments at Children’s Hospital, our mission became clear: ensuring that Kenzie overcame her medical challenges and had every opportunity to thrive.

Today, our passion lies in advocating for Kenzie to be treated with kindness, love, and respect. We celebrate her Down syndrome while cherishing her unique personality. Kenzie has made remarkable progress, graduating from a general education kindergarten class and moving on to first grade, where she is fully included. She is loved by her peers, spreading joy and smiles among her schoolmates. Seeing her transformation—from being abandoned at birth due to her diagnosis to being embraced and celebrated by those around her—is truly heartwarming.

Owning an online apparel company that advocates for inclusion, adoption, kindness, and more has been a dream come true for me. Combining my business knowledge with my life’s passion has been an incredible journey. Partnering with my good friend Trisha has made it even more special. Trisha brings a strong financial background and deep involvement in the Down syndrome community, while I contribute my business development experience, creativity, and implementation skills. Together, with our shared mission to spread awareness and advocate for inclusion, we are proud to carry the torch of Littlest Warrior and continue making a difference.”