Two Team Scott families celebrate adoption

Published Nov. 8, 2006
By 2nd Lt. Karoline Scott
375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

11/8/2006 -- In American cities coast to coast, November is recognized as National Adoption Month. On U.S. military installations worldwide, the month is an opportunity to spread the word about adoption among military families.

For two Scott Air Force Base families in particular, National Adoption Month has special meaning this year.

Both the Clark family and soon-to-be mom, Suzy Walker, are in the process welcoming Chinese-born daughters into their lives.

Adopting a child from China was a unanimous family decision for Maj. Denny Clark of Air Mobility Command, his wife, Amy, and their two children, Ellie, 11, and Patrick, 9. "My wife and I both came from big families," said Major Clark. "We always wanted to have a lot of children and after the first two kids, we started looking into the possibilities of adoption.
"We have friends, also in the military, who have adopted, and we were encouraged by how well it has worked out for them, so we decided it was something we wanted to pursue."

In May, the family began their adoption paperwork. They went through a local adoption agency that, "has made the process as painless as possible," said Mrs. Clark.

In addition to their adoption agency, a new Department of Defense policy passed in January 2006 will also make the adoption process easier for the Clarks, an active-duty Air Force family.

Much like the six weeks of permissive maternity leave guaranteed to active-duty moms after giving birth, adoptive parents are now guaranteed three weeks of permissive leave for families to adjust once they've welcomed a new child.

Though the Clark family has been preparing to adopt for months, they are still at the beginning of what will be a long process.

"Our paperwork was finally finished and sent to China in October," said Mrs. Clark. "From then, it can be as long as 14 months before our package is approved. Once we've been matched with a child, we will wait another six to eight months before we can travel to China and meet our new daughter."

Though the Clarks made no preference regarding the gender of their child, "We're told we have a 95 percent chance of being paired with a little girl," said Maj. Clark.
In the mean time, the whole family is getting ready for their new addition. "I'm excited to have a little sister," said Ellie. "I'll teach her how to do her hair and pick out her clothes."

Big brother Patrick will also have a lot to share with his new sister, "Patrick loves animals and is great at sports. He can teach his little sister all about those parts of his life," said Mrs. Clark.

When the time comes to pick up the baby from China, it's going to be a family affair. "We're going to bring the kids with us," said Mrs. Clark. "It's a great chance for them to learn something about the country where their new sibling is from. We're all really looking forward to it."

For other families thinking of adopting, Mrs. Clark says, "It's a long process, so remember to be patient. It will all be worth it in the long run."

Unlike the Clarks, Suzy Walker, the vaccine regional annalist for AMC, Air Command and Control and U.S. Transportation Command at Scott, has already been matched with her Chinese-born daughter and is days from finding getting the word that she can go to China and pick her up.

Ms. Walker, who is also a major in the Missouri Air National Guard at the 131st Fighter Wing in St. Louis, was inspired to adopt by another Team Scott member. "I read a Command Post newspaper article about Maj. (Dr.) Terri Riutcel and her daughter, Olivia, last year," said Ms. Walker. "Her story inspired me. I met mother and daughter at a National Adoption Month event at the Base Library last November. Dr. Riutcel adopted as a single mother, which I am in the process of doing. She made it all seem so manageable and well worth it. I decided it was something I had to do."

Maj. Riutcel is currently the chief of the Life Skills Support Center and a psychiatrist with the 375th Medical Group at Scott. She adopted her daughter, Olivia, now 3, from China in August 2005.

Once encouraged to adopt, Ms. Walker worked with a local adoption agency, the same one used by the Clark Family and Maj. Riutcel, to begin her paperwork.

Though she's near the end of the adoption process, Ms. Walker says the last few weeks have been the toughest. "My little girl and I have exchanged photos," she said. "Now that I know who she is and have her picture, waiting to meet her is the hard part."

"I began the process in December 2005," said Ms. Walker. "I have been paired with a little girl. All I'm waiting for now is the final approval letter from China. Once I get that, I'll make my travel armaments. I'll spend between 10 and 14 days in-country before heading back to the U.S. with her."

Ms. Walker's new daughter, who was born Su Shen Yuan, turned two June 16. Her English name will be Hannah.

"My whole family is excited for me and can't wait to meet Hannah," said Ms. Walker. "My mother has even offered to baby-sit."

For now, Ms. Walker says both her civilian employers at Scott and her ANG employers at the 131st FW have been very encouraging and supportive. "Everyday, my coworkers ask me, 'Have you heard anything about the baby?' They're almost as excited as I am," she said.
While she waits, Ms. Walker is preparing to become a mother. "When she first gets here, I think the most difficult adjustment will be the language barrier," she said. "Aside from that, I'll want her to see a pediatrician right away. She is a special needs baby because she has poor hearing. As soon as we get back to the St. Louis area, I'll have her doctors assess how serious the problem is."

When asked whether she'd consider adopting again, Ms. Walker said, "I'd do it again in a minute. I already know adopting is the best decision I've ever made."

Ms. Walker is expecting to get her final approval any time between now and the end of the year. "I cannot wait," she said, "I hope to have her home in time for the holidays."