Adopting a child with Albinism and family integration…

     What a blessing to read your stories! Last year we adopted a six yr old girl from China with albinism.
This is not what we (I) had planned in the beginning of the process, but it was God's plan. I wanted a baby that would be easier for me to "train up" rather than an older child who came with "baggage". Part of my concern was that an older child might be dangerous to our 8yr old if that child had been abused. I was pretty sure a special needs child would be too much work, too! Yup! I was being selfish. I did argue with God, too.....He always wins! So I was determined to have my way (because I always know what is best for me) until the news letter from our adoption agency arrived. The children waiting were beautiful and my heart began to melt. Then I saw her...and I was drawn to her. My husband took one look at her and said "That's my little girl". My 8 yr old daughter really wanted to have a baby sister to dote on and "mommy" but when I asked her how she really felt about this little girl she said "Mom, she belongs to us".

     Our papers had already gone to China so imagine our social workers surprise when we called her and told her we wanted to apply for a special needs child. Anyway, we went to China for a two and a half week trip to claim our treasure. I home school the eight yr. old so it was considered a field trip. Quite the learning experience! We met some people who run Hope Foster Home in Beijing. They help children acquire the surgeries they need to survive. They do have a web site if you’re interested.

     Children with albinism in China do not have much of a chance at life there and they rarely get adopted. If I could talk my husband into it I’d be there again for another one! I think he's still trying to recover from the paper work and the pain in the wallet !

     I thought that the public school could help her with her vision issues and they tried for 1/2 h. per week, however, the teacher was sending her home with homework that was way above where she needed to begin. So I pulled her out and started her with preschool and kindergarten curriculum. I am getting to the point where she's going to need a magnifier and a slant board, so I'm at a loss as to what to do for materials in the future. Do you know if they sell good curriculum for legally blind students?

     Also I need your advice if you're willing to part with it. My older daughter gets jealous because when we are in public EVERYONE makes comments to her sister about her hair and how beautiful she is and completely ignores the older one. They are both beautiful to me!
Thank you for letting me talk your ear off. I have learned much about myself through this little girl and about special needs. Kris

Respond to Kris by e-mailing

nathanews@aol.com with “albinism resources” in the subject line.

Editor’s response: We get our products for visually impaired learning from LS&S www.Lssgroup.com

     It seems that when we have children with special needs in America, we become “public property” and lose some privacy. When we are in public or in a church setting and are meeting people that are not understanding about meeting the social needs of the whole family, it is hard to speak up without embarrassing our other children by drawing attention to them. People will be drawn to your daughter because she is different and beautiful, just like you were drawn to her. Is it quality, one-on-one attention your birth daughter is seeking from you? Is beauty something that as a family is really important? One thing that helped our family was helping our birth children understand about our feminine desires about beauty and how God looks on the heart. Our attitudes toward the attention our children receive can greatly influence how they receive it. I know I as a parent, I struggled with a feeling in the pit of my stomach when folks would praise my adopted daughter and ignored my birth daughter. Thankfully, my birth daughter did not feel slighted, but went out of her way to join in the fun, not taking anything personal. Smile.