Min's Story


Min’s Story (by her mother, Melynie)

We have been blessed with a family of seven. Our first 3 daughters are biological: Carli is 15; Maggie and Andie are 12-year-old twins. We adopted Min, 7, and Grace, 5, from China. Grace was 16 months old when we adopted her and Min was 7 on adoption day.

We inquired about adopting an older child, but learned that I no longer qualified for a China adoption because I am an amputee. Although tough to swallow, we were thankful for the blessings that God had already given us. A few weeks later, while enjoying a family vacation in Florida, I received a call on my cell phone. When I saw “Bethany Indy” pop up on my caller ID. Surprised, I answered and was greeted by Melitta Payne, who asked us if we would consider taking a look at a little Chinese girl who is an amputee. Melitta said that it would take a little work on Bethany’s part, but after some discussion they thought that we might be a great fit for this little girl, and were willing to advocate for us with the China Center for Adoption Affairs (CCAA). Tim and I were shocked.

For whatever reason, Tim had brought his laptop computer with us. God works in funny ways sometimes. I gave my typical “if you have to” response to Tim when he said that he was bringing it, thinking that he would be working on our vacation. Little did I know that he felt led to bring it and God was already at work. Melitta emailed us information about this little girl. After one look at the file we asked, “where do we start?” We stayed up late that night, after the girls went to sleep, writing a letter to the CCAA convincing them that our family would be a great fit for Min FuBao because we already had a daughter from China and I could relate to her special placement need and help her with the challenges that life brings as an amputee.

Bethany’s China representative, Shyian, presented our letter to the CCAA and they approved us. Because we applied for a China adoption in the reverse way families typically do, we had to pull our dossier together very quickly and get moving. We were expecting to travel in the summer but with a few delays involving Homeland Security, we traveled in September 2008.

I think that my being an amputee benefits Min from the stand point that we have the knowledge of what is available to her in the way of prosthetics and know the importance of remaining as active as possible. Min definitely understands that we share this challenge and I know that it has given her a link to fit into our family. She has an incredible willingness to persevere, which only works to her advantage and makes her extremely self sufficient.

We feel that Min is adjusting very well. After 3 months home, she can have a conversation with anyone. She has been going to school for 5 weeks, ½ day kindergarten and ½ day 1st grade. She really seems to love school; she has made friends already and her teachers love her. Her biggest barrier being that she can’t read the language. However, once it is verbally explained she has no problems doing the work. She is a sponge and a very bright girl.

Min has started to talk a little about China, explaining to us how things were done at her “China home” and what the room where she slept looked like. We know that she was loved well there. She has asked me if I know where her China mom is. I told her that I was sorry that I didn’t but that I am sure that she loves her very much. Then I asked if she knew how much I loved her and she gave a tight hug and said “yes mama, I love you too”. She has also stopped calling our house, “your home,” and started saying “our” or “my home” and has slowly released the tight grip she has had on her things that came with her from China. We believe that these are all signs that she is understanding we are not temporary but forever. We are careful not to push anything but to let her do things in her time; it seems to be working.


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