Grace Welch, an eight-year-old from Kentucky, has been eagerly waiting since 2019 for her future sister, Penelope, a ten-year-old girl born in China, to finally join their family.
Grace, who was also adopted from China and was born without her left forearm, has been told by her parents that Penelope will soon occupy the bed next to hers. Penelope has been identified by her mother, Aimee Welch, as having a “serious but manageable” special need, though specific details were not disclosed.
The Welch family, already raising four biological sons, has a strong desire to adopt children with disabilities, a journey catalyzed by the birth of a nephew who was born without arms. Aimee Welch emphasized, “He taught us all what a person with limb differences can achieve with the right love and support. We believe in the dignity and worth of each person, just as they are, in all their diversity.”
However, their adoption plans have faced significant delays due to the pandemic. In September, China announced a halt to all international adoptions, including cases where families were already matched with children. This decision has left many families, including the Welches, with an uncertain future regarding their intended adoptions of vulnerable children with special needs.
While recent statistics are limited, it has been noted that during the years 2014 to 2018, a staggering 95% of international adoptions from China consisted of children with disabilities.
Experts have highlighted the dire consequences of these adoption halts for China’s most vulnerable children, stating that many of them may face bleak futures without the opportunity for international adoption. Huang Yanzhong, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, remarked that many children are unlikely to find domestic adoption.
Grace Welch expressed her deep disappointment over the possibility that her sister may never come home, stating, “We were meant to be a family of eight so that everyone could have a buddy.”
Aimee Welch urged China to honor the commitments made to children already matched with adoptive families. Subsequent to the September announcement, Beijing has remained silent while thanking families for their commitment to adopting children from China, justifying the policy shift as being in alignment with international agreements.
Challenges of Disabled Life in China
International adoptions from China began in 1992, reaching a peak in the mid-2000s, with over 160,000 children adopted globally in the last thirty years. A previous one-child policy spurred the relinquishment of children, especially those with special needs, while social stigmas have led many children to live in orphanages.
Dani Nelson, who was adopted in 2017, shared her significant struggles faced in an orphanage that she felt offered insufficient care for a normal life. Born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, she underwent seven surgeries within her first three years in the U.S. that helped her normalize her life. “Adoption saved my life,” Nelson noted.
In many parts of Chinese society, disabled individuals face significant discrimination, with access issues prevalent, especially in rural areas. Financial government support for the severely disabled is limited, leading to increased concerns among potential adoptive families regarding the well-being of children they aimed to adopt.
Meghan and David Briggs, matched with a boy in Zhengzhou, expressed their fear for his future, as he requires medical care that may not be accessible within the current Chinese system.
Mixed Reactions to Adoption Policy Changes
The reaction to the cessation of international adoptions has been mixed. Some adult adoptees have expressed relief, highlighting their struggles in transracial adoption and emphasizing the need for cultural understanding and connection. Lucy Sheen noted the emotional impact of growing up in an environment devoid of acknowledgment for her heritage.
A non-profit group focused on connecting adoptees to their origins expressed hope that this policy shift prompts greater support for Chinese adoptees and their families. Under the new regulations, China has stated that only blood relatives may adopt children living abroad, while negotiations with U.S. authorities may pave pathways for families currently in limbo.
John and Anne Contant, matched with five-year-old Corrine, respect the new policy but advocate for the immediate consideration of children like Corrine, reiterating their commitment to bringing their daughter home. They maintained contact with Corrine during the wait, illustrating the strong bonds formed even before adoption.
