A Child’s Perspective: Life with Hydrocephalus
This is the story of one very brave little girl, living life with Hydrocephalus and refusing for it to do anything but empower her. We can’t get over how much Hannah inspires each of us, and we know that she will do the same for you too. Hannah now resides with her loving parents and 3 siblings in Orlando, Florida. GWCA had the great privilege of facilitating her adoption in 2007.
This is My Story
By: Hannah Eadan Miao Moore, Age 10
Hi, my name is Hannah. I have two sisters and a brother. I am scared sometimes because I think that I won’t be as good as other people because I have some problems from being sick, but I am not scared anymore. My Mom told me to remember that I am one of a kind, and I make a difference on this earth.
I was born in Henan, China. I was an orphan until a great family adopted me in 2007. Before that my condition was bad. When I was left at the orphanage, I was 4 months old. The orphanage did not have enough money for the surgery I needed. I was born with Hydrocephalus & Spina Bifida, and I was very skinny and sick. They told us that the Director, paid for my surgery out of her own money. I was the first baby brought to this orphanage in 2002. When I was 2 years old, I got an infection in my brain. I was in the hospital for 3 months. They shaved off all my hair & took out my shunt. They did not have more money to put in a new one. I did not like looking like a boy.
When I was adopted, we went back to see where I had lived. The Director cried. I got to keep the clothes I was wearing from the orphanage, and I keep them in a bag under my bed.
When I came home from China with my new family, I had a surgery to help my head, it was called an ETV. I can’t say the big name. Anyway, in about 8 months my Doctor said that it had closed back up, so I needed another surgery to put in a new shunt. When Dr. O. put in my new shunt, he tried to remove the parts still left in my brain from before, but it was stuck. He could not get it out. He is very nice. He did not cut off my hair, and he put in the new shunt where I had my old scar. I have lots of scars, but they don’t hurt anymore, sometimes they just itch.
Last year and again this year, I got slit ventricles. The Doctor examined me, and told me I would have to stay in the hospital again. I was crying, it hurt so bad. I kept getting sick. My head hurt & my stomach hurt. I kept telling my Mom I don’t want to stay here forever. I was so scared. My Mom Told me it would be OK, and I would not have to stay for long. My head hurt all the time, and the lights made it hurt worse. I know when I have a headache, I have to tell my Mom, or call my Mom if I am at school. That’s how I got here, with the best parents ever. When I am in the hospital they never leave me. My Mom comes in the morning and stays all day. Then my Dad comes at night, and sleeps on the sofa in my room next to me.
Do you ever wonder what hydrocephalus means? It means water on the brain. I have had to get many tests because of my hydrocephalus. Some hurt and some don’t. I had to get an implant in my arm when I was six. I was growing up too fast, they called it CPP. They put a new one in every year after my Birthday. My eyes sometimes don’t work right, that is from the Hydrocephalus too. I sometimes run into things, or lose my place. This year after the slits, they did something called an EEG. They told my Mom that I have Epilepsy, so now I have to take medicine so that I do not have seizures. I hope no more children have to have hydrocephalus. It is not fun, and can make you very sick. I sometimes have to
miss doing things with my friends because I have to be careful that I don’t get hit in the head.
Last year I got a new sister named Haven. She has hydrocephalus too. We can talk to each other about it, because we both know how it feels. It feels good to have a sister who knows what hydrocephalus is. Now I am not alone, we can help each other get through this.
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Meet Michael Wenhold!
We are excited to give our families a little glimpse of the staff here at GWCA and CAN, so that you can see who we are and why we love doing just what we do. Every day we come to work and love to connect with our families, but now we are going to show you whose faces are behind every phone call, letter and E-mail received.
This week we want to introduce you to someone that many of you might not know yet, our Administration Director, Michael Wenhold! Michael is one of this office’s best kept secrets. He is well-known and loved by all of our staff, but due to his behind-the-scenes role, you may have never had the sincere privilege of meeting Michael! He is consistently taking care of the staff and working diligently to make sure that everything around here goes off seamlessly. He is someone that will make your grey skies a little brighter, and put a big smile on your face- mainly because he always has one on his.
So without further ado… Meet Michael!
- What is your job title and description here at GWCA?
My title is Administration Director. I function as the Accounting Manager, Human Resource Manager, and Office Manager for GWCA/CAN.
- How long have you been working at GWCA?
I started here in June 2012.
- What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy getting to work with all the Great Wall/CAN employees as they help families through the adoption process. Our staff is filled with dedicated individuals that constantly go above and beyond to make sure families have the best adoption experience. Getting to work with such selfless individuals makes my job great!
- What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
My commute and dealing with Austin traffic.
- How have you grown personally from working at GWCA and with their families?
Although I don’t get to work with families directly, I still feel like I have grown from working here. Working at this organization has opened my eyes to the real problems around the world. When I think about the problems in my life, they don’t compare in contrast to what others are dealing with.
- Why do you love adoption?
I love adoption because it can help a make family complete. Not everybody has the ability to have children but through adoption everyone can have a family. Every child deserves to have loving parents and a place to call home.
Fun facts about Michael:
- I was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts (where the Pilgrims landed). I guess that’s why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday (and the food)!
- I love football. My favorite team is the New England Patriots. I have a man crush on Tom Brady. Who doesn’t. I also play in a flag football league.
- I am married to my high school sweetheart. I have 1 son in the 6th grade and 2 dogs.
- My wife and I have a retirement plan to open a bed & breakfast on the East Coast.
- I have never had any broken bones.
“Michael is a great representation of GWCA because he embodies the values of the organization. He is hardworking, always willing to help others, and very resourceful. I love working with Michael because he takes pride in his work and makes everyone’s day easier because he works so diligently, consistently going above and beyond what is asked of him. He’s here early and stays late everyday, and that is just one example in how he makes a big difference for the families we serve.” -Michael’s co-worker
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St. Valentine
By definition today is the day of love. The funny thing is, that it’s a day that we either love to love, or rather we love to hate; a day that can elicit a variety of emotion, but many of us can’t even recall why we celebrate it. The story of St. Valentine is indeed a nebulous one. Historians believe that Valentinus was a martyred Saint sometime around 269 AD in Rome—this much we know. After this, the details become a bit hazy. Was he a priest or was he a bishop? How many St. Valentine’s were there? Did the poet Chaucer invent the day as a fallacy? The bottom line is, we don’t really care.
Over the years we have seen and heard some of the greatest love stories of all time waft through our hallways. They usually involve a loving family who feel like there’s just one more of them out there. Someone they’ve never met, but they know that they love from the deepest parts of their being. And they never stop knowing until they meet.
We maybe a little biased, but to us—that’s true love. So with that, we wish you the happiest of days!
Here are some of our favorite quotes about LOVE:
“My heart is, and always will be, yours.” – Sense and Sensibility
“Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” – Ali MacGraw, Love Story
“A simple ‘I love you’ means more than money.” – Frank Sinatra
“To be brave is to love unconditionally without expecting anything in return.” – Madonna
“Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart, and the senses.” – Lao Tzu
“Where there is love there is life.”-Mahatma Gandhi
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Meet Lizzie Kovach!
We are excited to give our families a little glimpse of the staff here at GWCA and CAN, so that you can see who we are and why we love doing just what we do. Every day we come to work and love to connect with our families, but now we are going to show you whose faces are behind every phone call, letter and E-mail received.
This week we want to introduce you to someone that most of you know, our Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager, Lizzie Kovach! Lizzie is one of the first people that gets to connect with our families and wow, is she perfect for the job… Not only is Lizzie a rockstar, but she is so patient, caring and diligent as she walks with each family through the process of decision-making. There are so many decisions that families must make in the beginning of their journey, like eligibility and adoption desires. Lizzie never misses a step and makes herself available for families to count on 7 days a week. Mostly, we admire how she treats each family as if it were her first—with the utmost sincerity.
So without further ado… Meet Lizzie!
1. What is your job title and description here at GWCA?
I am the Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager at GWCA and CAN! I help families just beginning their adoption journey by chatting with them about possible adoption options, eligibility and how to get started with our agency. I also make sure all of our literature, programs, and social media are looking great!
2. How long have you been working at GWCA?
I’ve been with GWCA/CAN for a year and a half.
3. What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love getting to know why families wish to adopt. I remember one family telling me adoption was their “first choice,” and they wanted their child to know they chose adoption to grow their family. This really touched me because I think all children deserve a family. I like knowing I can help start a family’s journey…in some small way.
4. What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
I wish there were more hours in the day! I constantly have new families inquiring about adoption and new ideas for improving our services. I am so passionate about finding more adoption resources and being a trusted resource for my families.
5. How have you grown personally from working at GWCA and with their families?
I have grown so much from my work at GWCA/CAN. I have learned people value someone listening and advocating for them. I might have single-parent families or first-time parents…and they so badly want to adopt. I am genuinely excited when I help them find a program that fits their adoption desires…and even more excited when their kiddo comes home!
6. Why do you love adoption?
I love adoption because it gives a child a chance to have a family. Sometimes, it even gives parents a chance to have a family. Adoption also allows families to be unique, accepting, and patient. There is a passion in adoption no one can describe, but it is definitely felt. I see this passion each day, and I love it!
Fun facts about Lizzie:
- I love potatoes. Baked, twice-baked, French fried, mashed, scalloped, tater-tots…I just love potatoes.
- A good quote can make my day! Here is one for you to enjoy: “Every adult needs a child to teach; it’s the way adults learn.” Frank A. Clark
- My favorite movie is Back to the Future I, II, & III. I count the trilogy as one movie.
- I enjoy traveling. I usually spend my vacation time in NYC visiting my older brother. J
- My favorite holiday is New Years Eve because it is a time to reflect on the last year and make goals for the new year.
“Lizzie works tirelessly to make sure we provide families with current information on the country requirements and the adoption process. She thinks outside of the box and consistently comes up with new and innovative ways to overcome obstacles and problem solve. She is always positive and enthusiastic about her work. Lizzie is truly dedicated to helping families with their adoption journey, and can always be counted on to offer her assistance and support to her coworkers.” –Lizzie’s co-worker
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Big Things a-Brewin’
There are some exciting changes going on here and we wanted to update you on all of them! Over the past couple of months our promotions & web development team have been meeting to discuss how we can better serve our families through our existing website and media. Through these meetings we began to formulate new concepts and ideas that we would eventually share with our GWCA families.
After working diligently, last week we began to launch our new website and logo for Great Wall China Adoption. You will notice several changes, mainly to our website and including any literature that includes our logo.
Introducing our new GWCA logo and design…
When building this website, it was our desire for it to be as straight-forward as possible for our users. From everything from the tabs to the content pages, we wanted to communicate simplicity. It is our sincerest hope that you find this to be true and are able to access the GWCA website with ease and clarity.
We do have some other exciting, new features and programs coming up that we will be launching in the coming weeks, so please be checking back here for the newest updates! As always, we thank you for your loyalty and it’s our highest honor to serve as your agency choice.
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Media {almost} Monday.
**Yesterday we were having a few minor server issues and were not able to post. Please excuse the tardiness.**
Well the weekend is officially over and everyone is back to the grind at work! With the next week in sight, what better time to catch up on all of your current adoption news from the past week—including country and domestic updates, relevant articles, book recommendations, interesting websites, even how we are seeing adoption being talked about in movies, television, the media, etc.
At GWCA and CAN we know that you, the parents, are our experts so we are calling for your help. Our desire is to make this as interactive as possible, so if you ever have any suggestions about things to add please comment below or E-mail them to Mary at mary@childrenofallnations.com.
This past week in adoption:
- Shoe Collection
Here is the story of one mom helping another mom in her quest to adopt a special needs child. Covered by the local news station, this story is truly one of kindness and the human spirit!
Photo courtesy of MyFOX Phoenix
Here is the direct link to the adoptive family’s blog.
- Adoption & The Foster Care System
Coverage on adoption is everywhere. This is a recent segment produced by well-known Washington D.C. radio personality, Kojo Nnamdi. He addresses the trends we’ve seen in recent news about the decline of intercountry adoption, and consequently advocates for the adoption of children in the domestic foster care system.
**If you follow the link there is a button in the top left-hand corner that says “Listen.”**
- 7 Tips on Reputable Adoption Grant & Loan Organizations
We know that many of our families are always actively pursuing ways to make adoption affordable for their individual family. Grants and loans can be two excellent ways to make that happen, but sometimes those organizations are not legitimate. You are trusting people with your private information so it is important to proceed with caution. Here are 7 tips from Resources4adoption.com Founder and Director, Cherri Walrod, on how to recognize signs and verify that an organization is legitimate. Read more here…
Photo courtesy of Resources4adoption.com
Have a wonderful week and check back with us next Monday for more top coverage on adoption!
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Rainy Days and Mondays.
Say goodbye to that nasty case of the Mondays! From here on out we will be referring to this day of the week officially as “Media Mondays,” so come on and get excited with us. Consider this your one stop shop to view all current adoption news from the past week, including country and domestic updates, relevant articles, book recommendations, interesting websites, even how we are seeing adoption being talked about in movies, television, the media, etc.
At GWCA we know that you, the parents, are our experts so we are calling for your help. Our desire is to make this as interactive as possible, so if you ever have any suggestions about things to add please comment below or E-mail them to Mary at mary@childrenofallnations.com.
This past week in adoption:
- NBC’s Parenthood.
This T.V. drama produced by NBC is never one to shy away from current, and sometimes controversial, issues. This past week was the season’s finale of Season 4 and as adoption lovers we encourage you to check it out! This show will add color to your story and you’ll be shaking your head in knowingness. The series bravely follows issues of domestic adoption including a birth father’s non-consent, a birth mother’s regret, disruption, older child adoption, and attachment disorders.
- Official Russian ruling.
On Tuesday, The Russian Supreme Court ruled that families who had been issued court approval to adopt before January 1, 2013 would be able to bring their children home to the United States. This includes families who are currently in their 30 day waiting period after court approval. This is helpful news for the approximately 52 families who are past court approval.
- Intercountry Adoption Numbers Continue to Decrease.
A report issued by the U.S. Department of State this past week chronicling the decrease of American families adopting foreign-born children over the past eight years. See the full report from the National Council for Adoption here:
- One family’s story and their journey to their son.
With the near 60% decline of international adoption into American homes since 2004, this writer tells the story of one family who has been waiting for more than 4 years to bring their son home. See the full story here:
http://world.time.com/2013/01/10/caught-in-the-international-adoption-slowdown/
PETER RAD FOR TIME
Frank and Gabrielle Shimkus in their Pennsylvania home.
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A Time to Celebrate.
It’s finally that time of the week…it’s FRIDAY! Time to relax and enjoy your down time surrounded by family and friends you love.
Before you kick start off your weekend, the staff at GWCA wants to take a minute to thank YOU! Without adoptive parents and families like you, we would not be making the strides we are in Chinese adoption. We cannot thank you enough for being such champions in adoption, and it’s our honor to come along side and fight with you. Your family is the reason a child now has a place called home. That is reason for celebration enough!
So kick off your shoes and have a ball this weekend!
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Great Wall China Adoption Blog: January 16, 2013
Dear Great Wall Families,
It is getting chilly…winter is definitely here! Many of our families are in the middle of traveling or possibly just got home from picking up their kiddo from China! Re-adoption is so important to finalize the adoption process, so I would love to tell you more about this process and why it is key for all families to complete.
GWCA Re-adoption and Finalization Services-
Many families make the journey to China to pick up their child and finalize the adoption in the child’s country of origin. While this is a special part of the adoption journey, it is also very important for a family to re-adopt their child in the United States.
Why re-adopt in the United States?
- To gain a domestic Adoption Decree and Birth Certificate, issued in a form that is accepted in all domestic courts and recognized by American institutions. There have been some cases where U.S. courts have not been able to “recognize” a foreign adoption decree, and/or children have not been able to participate in activities that require a United States Birth Certificate.
- Domestic adoption and birth records are available in the United States. The replacement of foreign birth certificates and adoption records may be impossible to obtain. At a minimum, the replacement process may be very time consuming and expensive.
- To change the name of the child: If there is a change to a child’s legal name after their entry into the United States, a family must re-adopt, and then re-apply to USCIS for a new Certificate of Citizenship to establish this revision.
- To request an amended date of birth: Sometimes, an adopted child may appear older or younger than the original date of birth. If medical evidence of a different date of birth is obtained, it is possible to request an amended birth date during a re-adoption, and then re-apply to USCIS for a new Certificate of Citizenship containing the revised date.
- To guarantee your child’s right to inheritance in every state: Not all states recognize the validity of foreign adoption decrees in all legal cases. If there were ever a question as to whether a child was eligible to receive inheritance or other legal benefit, the re-adoption provides a domestic record of a child’s legal status.
- To obtain school benefits: From a practical stand-point, many school systems
require a domestic final order of adoption or domestic birth certificate in order to qualify for activities, benefits, etc. In some instances, colleges require a domestic final order prior to admittance.
If you have questions on re-adoption services, you can email Lizzie Krog at lizzie@gwca.org
Sincerely,
Lizzie Kovach
Adoption Consultant/Outreach and Promotions Manager
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