Julie's Story...
As a young girl growing up in Pittsburgh I had a very good life. Mom was able to stay home with us while dad went to work. Mom & dad watched their pennies and were able to give us a wonderful childhood.
I remember watching a television program at a very young age. They were showing an orphange somewhere in the world and I was horrified at how these kids had to live. I told myself that when I grew up I would adopt a little kid who needed a home. Anyone who knows me also knows that when I make up my mind to do something just get out of my way!
I grew up with three brothers and no sisters. After marrying my high school sweetie I gave birth to two boys Andrew now 23 and Nathan now 21. While Jeff was content with two sons I longed for a girl. Jeff was okay with a third child whether it be home grown or through adoption as long as I promised it would be the last. Thinking adoption would be a way to have daughter and give a child a home I started researching (no internet at the time but a
very long telephone bill). Very quickly I discovered that if you are not infertile the chances of adopting are slim and none. We did however find that if we were willing to take a handicapped (either mild or severe) child we were eligible. After signing with several agencies we received information from Americans for International Aid and Adoption. Cambodia was opening it's doors for adoption. Were we interested? Of course we sent the check so that we could hurry up and wait! After about a year the call came. Pictures followed. I was initially told that we would not need to travel. That changed. Before I knew it I was packed for Cambodia (wherever that was).
After several days of travel to get there I finally arrived.
I was met at the airport by workers from International
Mission Of Hope. They were the folks who did the
paperwork on that end. I would soon learn that these
wonderful people would be my contacts from here on
out. My adoption agency in the States totally dropped
the ball on paperwork. I was taken directly to the
Nutrition Center to meet my daughter. Upon entering
the center a door was swug open and there she was.
Sitting on the floor being fed by one of her nannies.
Rice water drippping down her tummy. Before I knew
it I was handed the spoon and was feeding my new
daughter. She was just the tiniest little thing. Her
belly was distended and her arms and legs rail thin.
At a year old she could not have been more than ten
pounds. I have to say I was a little worried. We were
given the children right away. No paperwork to show.
I guess they figured one less mouth to feed works for them.
After staying almost three weeks we completed the adoption process but were told to leave. Our visas expired and the government officials who still needed to sign her passport had left the country. And so it goes in Cambodia, the kids were returned to the Nutrition Center on our way to the airport.
It was an eight month roller coaster ride before she would be escorted home. I cannot
tell you how many times we were told she was on her way only to call and discover one
more road block.
Finally on April 7, 1992 we dusted off the carseat and crib and found ourselves on our
way to the airport! I'll never forget someone saying "What if it's the wrong kid" I think my response was "Well then keep your mouth shut!"
Hilary Sopheap arrived one week before her second birthday (an estimated birth date)
weighing in at a whopping 17 pounds. Aside from being underweight, she was in pretty
good health. She hit the ground running and promptly took her place centerstage with her new family. The boys were glad to have their sister home and we were now complete. I don't think she will ever know the determination on the part of so many that it took to get her home. But she is a true survivor and someone up in heaven was certainly working overtime!
I count my blessings daily!