Some friends of mine were in Beijing over the weekend, on their way to another Province to adopt. It was great for them to be in the capital city for the first time ever, exploring what they could and asking a zillion questions about the culture with which they were melding.
What interested me was their journey to adoption.
When my family moved here four years ago, these friends of ours had already begun the adoption process for a baby or toddler from China. The specifics of all this I do not know, but many of you readers likely do. Suffice it to say, there are a lot of details to work through. They signed up with an agency in the U.S., and they went through a lengthy paperwork trail before they could even be put on a waiting list. They gave it all a lot of serious thinking beforehand just to start the process; perhaps they were not aware of the delays they’d encounter once they had made their decision. At the time, their two daughters were ages four and one.
After continual postponements and more waiting, they likely felt that an adoption would never come to fruition. Originally, they had not signed up for a special needs child. After making the decision to do just that, within nine days were given their docket. An 18-month-old boy with a cleft lip (already corrected) was placed with them. Quick plans were set into motion, and here they were in Beijing with the entire family to greet their new son.
I’m thrilled for them, but could not help wondering why it took so long. Weekly – if not daily – we are exposed to orphanages galore around here. Some house special needs children for various reasons; others are not designated as anything other than a “regular” orphanage. With so many babies and children in desperate need of a good home – not to mention the orphanages themselves in need of fewer children to care for – why are there so many delays in matching these kids up with loving families?
I know nothing about the process, so I don’t stand in judgment of it. Rather, I’m curious and confused. I am sure that there is due diligence on at least one end of the process, if not both. I’m hopeful that great care is taken to make sure the children are placed into safe environments and with loving families. And I’m positive that these abandoned children are much better off when they are adopted. I guess I just can’t understand the delay, when people like my friends are out there, just waiting to offer their love to a child.
I’m so happy for them, and I wish I could meet their new little boy (they meet him today!). I have no doubt that many lives will be instantly changed for the better with this adoption, and I wish the same happy outcome for the many more who await their good fortune one day…let’s hope soon!
