TRAVERSE CITY -- Karen and Kerry Ferguson traveled around the world to complete their family.
In 2001, the Traverse City couple adopted daughter Ru, 9, from China when she was 10 months old. In October, they left for China to adopt another girl, 5&1/2-year-old MeiLin Xue.
"My daughter Ru had always asked for a sister," said Karen, before they embarked for China.
Their decision to adopt again means a sibling for Ru and a home for MeiLin Xue, who is visually impaired. Families who have adopted or are in the process of adopting a child with special needs urged others to consider the option. November is National Adoption Awareness Month.
Once they decided to adopt again, the Fergusons had to act quickly. Karen would turn 55 in April, and the couple had a small window before her birthday made her ineligible for the program. Just in time, the necessary approval came through.
The Fergusons were matched with MeiLin Xue through Bethany Christian Services' adoption program for children with special needs. MeiLin Xue has a vision impairment called corneal leukoma. The family knows that the condition and the language barrier could pose some challenges. Before they left for China, they had already scheduled an eye doctor visit for when they return, worked on a new bedroom and made arrangements for MeiLin Xue to begin kindergarten. The orphanage told the family that the little girl "is very happy about being adopted," Kerry said.
"This is going to be a big shock to her to leave everything that she knows," he said. "We are prepared for all of that and prepared for a lot of patience."
Kerry urged other couples to consider adoption. The process isn't as problematic or as long as some fear. It can take less time to adopt an older child than an infant. The Fergusons started paperwork this year and were able to leave last month to meet MeiLin Xue. Many of the conditions that the special needs children have "are very manageable," Kerry said.
"Don't be intimidated by the process. If you feel that this is something that you are being moved to do, definitely check it out," he said.
Sarah Lackie, Bethany's adoption supervisor, said about half of its adoptions from other countries are for older children or those with "special placement needs." She thinks those kinds of adoptions will continue to increase.
Linda and Steve Oosse of Traverse City recently adopted J.C., a 3&1/2-year-old boy from Colombia. J.C. has Down syndrome, and joins a family that includes two older brothers and a sister. Linda described J.C. as a sweet boy and also a "jokester."
"You have to meet J.C. to really appreciate him," Linda said. "Truly and honestly, ... he's a little boy first and everything that comes with him is just secondary, and that's kind of how we've all treated him."
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