China Adoption News August, 2006

BREAKING THE BIOLOGY BARRIER

"KATIE LEDBETTER, who is expecting a baby girl late this year, has delighted in the fawning of baby-obsessed colleagues, the cooing commentary on the joys of parenthood and the feigned laments over the loss of social life and sleep.

But because she is adopting instead of giving birth, Ms. Ledbetter, who works for Standard Register, a document services company based in Ohio, was initially told she was not entitled to the six to eight weeks of paid leave offered to pregnant employees." more>>

A favourite China pattern...

In Canada, young adoptees explore their heritage.

"Little Katie Carruthers noticed something different when she walked into a hall full of kids at Lambeth United Church yesterday.

"Everybody here is Chinese," said the three-year-old.

Katie is Chinese, too. Her parents, Gail and David Carruthers, adopted her and her two-year-old sister Zoe in China." more>>

Chinese-adoptees event to be held in Congers

"CONGERS — For Pamela Thomas, the Ladybug Picnic began as a way for her daughter Lianna to connect with a few other Rockland families that had adopted children from China." more>>

A full house?

"Every time Jeff and Lona Gorman figured their house was full, something told them to make room for one more.

“God gave us a heart for children,” Jeff said. “You have to be able to depend on God. You have to believe that he knows what he’s doing.”

The Gormans recently completed the adoption of their fourth daughter when Lona flew home from China Aug. 9 with Eden in her arms." more>>

It just reiterates that kids all over the world desire love and stability in their lives.

Budding chef Anna longs for quality time with family

"Very few people have the opportunity to learn how to cook from a true master. Anna, a budding culinary enthusiast, recently got her chance. Meeting local chef Eddie Matney at Stoudemire's Downtown, Anna seemed to be a little star-struck.

Staring at Matney in his white chef's coat, Anna was unable to talk.

...Anna loves to spend time with her 15-year-old foster sister and seems to relate best with older children. Most of all, Anna wants a dedicated and involved family that will spend quality time with her, whether in the kitchen or on the basketball court." more>>

But I say, why not focus on a culture of love first? Then the rest will fall into place.

August 21, 2006

Study finds necessity for adoption of African orphans

"Despite the challenges faced by parents and children involved in international adoptions, new research by a Brigham Young University professor shows that the AIDS epidemic and African orphan crisis leave consideration of intercountry adoption as an imperative." more>>

Africa orphans need adoption

Crisis makes international action imperative, BYU professor says

"PROVO — The rising number of African orphans is creating a crisis that makes international adoptions imperative despite concerns about transracial adoptions, says a Brigham Young University professor who herself was adopted from Korea by white parents.

Jini Roby's argument that African nations and American parents should consider a radical increase in adoptions of black African orphans was published in latest issue of the journal Social Work." more>>

Check with your employer to see if you are eligible for an adoption grant.

Also, check out our China adoption costs funding page for more ideas about how to pay for your China child adoption.

From reading this article, it seems employers are finally "getting it." Hopefully more companies are beginning "to align (their) corporate goals around employee satisfaction."

I would say helping with adoption is a great way for companies to increase employee satisfaction and retention.

Corporate culture of support

Nationally lauded First Tennessee offers families flexibility

"When Johnny Coffey and his wife, Ann, wanted to adopt a baby from China, he went to his boss at First Tennessee Bank to explain the need for last-minute travel time." more>>

Separated at birth, Pembroke Pines girl born in China reunited with twin in Chicago

"The Funk family, of Lyons, Ill., went to China two years ago to adopt a baby girl who had been abandoned on a sidewalk next to a textile factory. They named her Mia.

Last year, the Ramirezes, of Pembroke Pines, went to China to adopt a girl who had been abandoned on the same spot a week later. As it happened, they also named her Mia." more>>

South Plainfield couple helping Chinese orphan

"Her name is Mei Mei, which in Chinese means Plum Blossom. She is four months old and lives in a Chinese orphange. She was born with a cleft lip and a cleft palate.

To help raise funds for her corrective surgery, members and friends of the Willow Grove Presbyterian Church will have a Chinese potluck dinner and program 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 8 at the Scotch Plains church." more>>

Another wonderful story about love without boundaries.

U.S. doctor to adopt Chiayi girl

"A doctor specializing in medical emergencies flew in from the United States to adopt a girl needing help in Chiayi County, winning praise from the wife of the Chiayi county magistrate for his "boundless love." more>>

One week, dozens of operations

"Last spring, Dr. David P. Roye Jr. performed 28 operations in five days.

This may sound like a record number of surgeries, but it is not unusual for the dedicated medical professionals who volunteer for Children of China Pediatrics Foundation." more>>

Special reunion brings together the 'Guo Sisters' Six girls were adopted from a Chinese orphanage

"TRAVERSE CITY — Lia Williams belongs to an exclusive club, its six members' lives intertwined by luck and kept together by love." more>>

Squeaky shoes!

"It happens every time we go out. People see us coming and a huge grin slides across their faces.

"Is that her shoes?" they ask, raising their voices over the "eeek-eeek, eeek-eeek, eeek-eeek" that fills the air." more>>

Adoption, Fathers' Rights Tangle Threatens Child

We know a number of people whose domestic adoptions went smoothly. However, this article pretty much sums up the fears we personally had about domestic adoption.

"Meanwhile, people who wonder why 'foreign' adoptions are so popular need look no farther than Huddleston. Adopting a child from China may be a bureaucratic maze, but it eliminates the prospect of a biological parent showing up on the doorstep." more>>

China promotes girls to avoid glut of bachelors

"HEFEI-- China's gender imbalance is so serious that millions of men will not be able to find wives a decade from now.

If current birth ratios were to continue, between 2015 and 2030 there will be 25 million men in China with no hope of finding a mate, according to a study issued by France's National Institute of Demographic Studies in October last year." more>>

Dreams come true for adoptive parents

"Adoption has opened many new doors for Allan and Pam Ogburn of Camden.

The couple adopted a Chinese girl, Brianna, 5, in March 2002 after being told by doctors that they were unable to have children. But with their desire to always have children, Pam and Allan didn't let their dreams end with what the doctors said." more>>

Adoptive families bond at picnic

"ROCKY HILL - They may not look the same, but that has not stopped any of the adoptive families that have worked with Lutheran Social Services of New England (LSS) from creating a happy home." more>>

SINGLE BUT I WANT CHILDREN I love them very much

"SHE'S single, has no partner but wants kids. Her solution?

Adopt.

Ms Patricia Tan, 56, is among the singles in Singapore who have turned to adoption after marriage passed them by." more>>

SINGLE BUT I WANT CHILDREN Adoption not an easy road... ...especially for single

"MORE singles are interested in adoption, say adoption agencies.

Five agencies said they have received more enquiries from single women.

Many of them are professionals in their mid to late 30s and have a strong family support network.

This is essential when the authorities assess their suitability to adopt, as evident in Home Study Reports (HSR).

Not all agencies will help singles adopt." more>>

The faces of international adoption

"THE COUNTRY: China

THEIR STORY: It was just after Easter in 1998 when Susan and her husband, Episcopalian priest Gary Bailey, flew to China to meet their new daughter Beilin for the first time. All the anxiety of the three-year wait, the reams of paperwork and the bureaucratic struggles evaporated as they gazed at their 11-month-old daughter, clad in a fuzzy, yellow sleeper. Beilin's name joins two Chinese words -- riches and a welcome rain after a drought." more>>

Yearning for family transcends borders

"Once upon a time, there was a couple who longed for a child. On the other side of the world, there was a child who dreamed of a family. And one day, they met ... with glowing smiles at a Chinese orphanage, tremulous tears in Colombia, or in a blissful embrace at San Francisco airport." more>>

Inspirational people: Cathie Rock

"Cathie Rock is not a celebrity or author. She is a regular, everyday person who overcame giant obstacles to start a family and cope with breast cancer. Full disclosure here: She also is a personal friend, a former Sentinel sales person, and one of the most inspiring people I have ever known. I wanted to tell you about her – in her words – especially before you see her on the Oprah show some day." more>>

Health ministry warns against abortion crimes

"China's Ministry of Health on Wednesday reiterated its warning against the use of ultrasonic and chromosomal examinations in illegal fetus gender identification and abortions." more>>

You’ve come a long way baby: Locals adopt orphan girl from China

"She can say “Mama” and “Dada” with ease and grins when the folks make funny faces and glide her through the air. She is everything Mom and Dad could ever hope for." more>>