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 | Our Hong Kong Adoption Experience
by Ken and Karen Haslbeck |
When Ken and I decided to pursue international adoption, we were confused. After contacting Diakon Baltimore in February 2005, and meeting with Ramona Hoyle, we knew the Hong Kong adoption program was the one for us. Hoyle answered many of our questions, and gave us a clear understanding of what was involved in the process.
We attended the Spring 2005 adoption and parenting classes in the Baltimore location, which were fantastic. We met other couples, the staff of Diakon, and we were given valuable information we will treasure and use in raising our daughter. We were told during the classes about the whole “paperwork process,” and Ken and I tried to hit the ground running. At the final training class, we handed in everything we needed to get the ball rolling, and we were assigned Kim Sancandi as our social worker.
Like a true gift from God, we received a referral shortly after the completion of our classes. She was a beautiful little girl named Tsz Yan, who was 8 months old. We knew it was truly meant to be when we saw her.
The paperwork process was frustrating at times, but with the help of both our social workers, we had it completed in no time. Our Hong Kong social workers, Miss Jenny and Kim, did a great job of keeping us informed. Miss Jenny also sent us pictures as Yan developed and grew through the months, which made the whole process special.
As the time went by, I read books on adoption and parenting, joined an Internet group for people adopting from Hong Kong, and talked to friends who had also been through the process. We received our family and matching approval for Baby Yan in November 2005, and needed to get our High Court Order, from a judge in Hong Kong. We were told it takes around six to eight weeks, some people even said it takes up to 12 weeks. Ours came through in January 2006, which was about 11 weeks from the approval date. It felt like an eternity since the holidays had been upon us, but once we got the High Court Order, the wait became a distant blur. It was now time to make travel arrangements. Our Hong Kong social worker gave us a travel date, and we did not hesitate to make reservations.
We traveled to Hong Kong on Feb. 11, 2006 and returned on Feb. 18, 2006, with our new bundle of joy. The flight was long, but the anticipation kept our adrenaline going.
Our experience in Hong Kong was rewarding. Miss Jenny had everything planned and organized and nothing was left undone. On our first day, we met Yan and her foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chan, at their flat. They did not speak English, but Miss Jenny translated on both sides. After a visit, lunch and some bonding time, we went back to our hotel. On day two, Miss Jenny brought Yan and Mrs. Chan, to our hotel so Yan could spend some alone time with us. They came back six hours later to get Yan, and presented us with a beautiful photo album of Yan’s life, from residential crèche’ to her foster parents.
On day three, Miss Jenny and Mrs. Chan,brought Yan to us to stay for the remainder of our trip. It was such a great transition plan not only for us, but also for Mrs. Chan, who suffered a loss as well, and Yan.
Yan handled the transition with us, the trip home and has adjusted extremely well to her new life.
We are constantly amazed that someone so young could come so far, to such a different place, yet act like she’s been here her whole life — all thanks to the Hong Kong adoption program.
We left Hong Kong not only with a lovely daughter, but also with great memories, and a lot of respect and admiration for the Hong Kong adoption program.
Ken and Karen Haslbeck live in Timonium, Md., with Kaci and their dog, Cisco. Kaci has two sisters and a brother who are college graduates. In their spare time, the Haslbecks enjoy boating on the Chesapeake Bay and traveling. Kaci has adjusted well to everything life has presented to her.
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