A man and his wife interested in adopting write to a very experienced adoptive parent of fifty-two children, most with special needs. They are neighbors of Greta Wagner. Greta is a friend of Louisiana's that she regularly emails.
Saturday, July 2, 2005, 9:13 a.m., M.D.T.~
Dear Louisiana Sandusky~
You don't know me, but I am sure you know my neighbor. My neighbor's name is Greta Wagner, and she regularly emails you. She told me and my wife, Penny, about your amazing Miracle Family, and after she adopted little Nicholas and Nichole from China, well, we have shown an interest in adopting; but we don't know quite where to begin.
My name is Chuck Tuttle, and my wife's name is Penny. I work at General Motors, and my wife stays at home with Peter, Nichole, and Nicholas. I have been employed with GM for over 12 years now, and I figure while we are still young enough, we would like to persue international adoption.
We have been looking at adoption based sites on the Internet or have been reading books about it, but everything is so conflicting, and we are very confused as to believe what is right or not. We have no clue as to how to go about it, and this is why I am writing to you now, in search of some answers. We have also heard far too many horror stories of kids being adopted, and that does nothing to lessen our fears or concerns!
How much does it cost to adopt a child, and is it better to adopt a child who is healthy or a child who happens to show some form of disability or "problem"? Is it better to adopt an infant or an older child, and isn't there a stigma attached to adopting a child of another race? Should we stick with a child who happens to be Caucasian, or is it okay to adopt a child who is of another race? Have you had any problems with people regarding the race of your own children, or have you had any problems with people's feelings towards your children who happen to be disabled? If so, how do you handle such insensitivity? I wouldn't be so nice about it, to tell you the truth!
My neighbor adopted a little boy and girl from China, who joins their big brother, and so far, the children seem to get along well, and they are a delight to watch. She was scared at first, but she said that she wrote to you, and you gave her some very helpful advice; and now her kids are doing very well. She told me about you, and she said that you had written several books about your family. Is this true , or is this just a rumor? If you HAVE written a book (or two), I would like to read them, to see of what you have experienced as an adoptive parent. Maybe what I read can come in handy when it comes that time for us to start the adoption process; but to tell you the honest to God truth, the whole thing scares us to death, and we aren't sure what to do first!
If you could offer us any advice, we would be more than grateful. We would love to adopt a child ourselves, but as I mentioned thusly, we are terrified, and we have no clue what to do or who to contact. We do have a lawyer; maybe he can help us with this adoption process, and maybe he has some answers; but I wanted to write to a person who has experienced adoption up close and personally, and I hope that you can help me.
Thank you for listening to me ramble on, and thank you in advance for the letter that is to come. I am looking forward to hearing from you, and I am looking forward to what you have to say. Thank you again, Louisiana, and may God bless your Miracle Family with all the blessings that He has for you!
Most sincerely,
Chuck (Charles) W. Tuttle (friend and neighbor to YOUR friend, Greta Wagner).
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Saturday, July 2, 2005, 9:13 a.m., M.D.T.~
