Out of all our adoptions, I have to say that today was by far the hardest. Saffi (currently we call her Ke Ke - pronounced ker ker) is in very bad shape. She is very small and appears to be very mal-nourished. Her hair is very short and very thin. Her right foot is very severe and the leg turns from the ankle to the knee. She will definitely need multiple surgeries stateside and i think that competitive sports may not ever be an option. She also has a huge scar that wraps around her right wrist, suture marks still apparent.
The director of the orphanage and five (YES FIVE) workers/nannies came to drop Saffi of at our hotel room. They stayed for about 30 minutes and answered the basic questions. Once they left, Saffi imediately started taking her shoes off and pulled out a two page letter from her foster mother. Although I wont include specifics, the letter basically said that she loved Saffi but was unable to care for her for her entire life and that we were her only chance for a family. The foster mother also had Saffi memorize their phone number and so we called the foster mother so that Saffi could let her know she was okay. Saffi then started pulling off her pants and there on the inside of her underpants was another message from the foster mother including her address!!! I am thrilled beyond belief that I have some way to contact the foster family!
Once the guide left, all hell broke loose. Saffi ran for the door, screaming mama; she sobbed and tried to get out of the hotel room for the next two hours. I sat on the floor but she refused to let me touch her or give her anything. Eventually, she calmed down and we had a bath - complete with underwear on! She just fell asleep with all her new toys surrounding her. I hope that tomorrow will be better for my darling girl - I am glad she is grieving as at least I know she has attached to someone and that we have a good chance that she will eventually attach to us.
Interestingly, both the guide and the director confirmed that they only have children with severe needs available for international adoption. The director asked me to please please advocate for other children with special needs. He also was very proud of the fact that he was able to adopt a majority of his children to couples inside Jiangxi Province. I love and miss everyone desperately and know in my heart that "tomorrow is another day."
5 comments:
I am so glad you have her. She needs you so much - she is in very capable hands.
What a blessing that you have the foster families info. That's so important. Keeping in touch with them will mean so much to Saffi & them.
We are keeping you in our thoughts & prayers.
Wow. How lucky everyone is to have such love and strength from so many people. Saffi is beautiful! All our good thoughts are with you for the next few days (and beyond) as Saffi learns to trust again.
Keep strong. Each day will get better. Saffi wll soon realize how much she is loved. She is precious!
Saffi is beautiful. It will be a difficult adjustment for her. Her life has been turned upside down. Luckily for her she is blessed with a wonderful, new family. It will take Saffi time, but she will come to realize how much she is loved and wanted.
Shelby,
Your daughter is precious and beautiful! How wonderful to have contact with her foster parents! We will keep you in our prayers as she grieves the loss of her foster parents and begins her new life with her forever Mommy (Daddy and brothers too)!
Hugs,
Cheri Knorr
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