ADOPTING ABROAD; LOCAL AGENCY OFFERS INFORMATION ABOUT INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION

Lutheran Family and Children Services will educate local couples on an alternative to domestic adoptions when it hosts an International Adoption Workshop Tuesday at 7 p.m. at St. Francis Medical Center.

Executive Director Tammy Gwaltney said the workshop will answer questions about the process involved in adopting children from another country. Linda Brownlee of the Adoption Center of Washington D.C. will be the guest speaker during the free event.

"There are a lot of misperceptions and misunderstandings about international adoption," said Gwaltney. "What we're hoping to do is answer questions and clear up those misperceptions. Some people will decide international adoption is for them, others won't."

One major misperception is that international children have problems adjusting to life in the United States, she said. While some reports are made each year of children who lack the ability to bond with their new family or adjust to their new environment, she said, most accounts of Attachment Disorder -- the official term associated with these traits -- are exaggerated.

"You don't hear about the hundreds and hundreds of children who don't have Attachment Disorder, you hear about the few who do," she said.

Jeff and Linda Wyatt of Gordonville will share their personal experiences with international adoption during the workshop Tuesday. The couple, who are in their mid-30s, recently adopted a little girl, Carly Elena Wyatt, now 2 years old, from an orphanage in Syktyvkar, a small city located outside of Moscow. The adoption was processed through the Adoption Center of Washington D.C., and the local LFCS performed the home study and follow-up visits.

"We felt like the timeframe, costs and expectations were what we were comfortable with," said Jeff Wyatt. "Everything was well-coordinated and we didn't have many problems."

Carly is the second child adopted by the couple. Eleven-year old Thom Wyatt was adopted domestically after the Wyatts lost two sons in infancy to a rare genetic muscle disorder. The couple chose international adoption so they could choose the sex of their child and experience a relatively quick adoption.

The only major difference they have found between the international and domestic adoptions was the expense involved. "Compared to adopting in the U.S., the biggest expense was the travel," said Linda Wyatt. "We had to pay for three tickets to and from Moscow, as well as other travel expenses."

Gwaltney said international adoption has many of the same requirements as domestic adoptions. Prospective parents must file the appropriate paperwork and often wait months or even several years for agencies to locate children who match their interest surveys, she said.

The adopting family also opens their lives to scrutiny by the agency. All aspects are studied: Age, employment and reasons for wanting to adopt are revealed, criminal background checks are made and home studies are conducted.

Finally, she said, matches are made with a child and the family travels to the adoptee's home country for a visit. If everyone is compatible, all of the parties and their lawyers go to court and the adoption is made legal.

The family then returns home with the newest addition to their family, she said. Adoption-related expenses can range from $5,000 to $20,000.

"I think one of the things people get the impression of is only wealthy people are involved in international adoption," Gwaltney said. "That's really not true. In fact, the average total household income for one of these families is only $30,000 to $40,000. These people finance these adoptions any number of ways because it's something they have chosen to do."

Gwaltney said there are a variety of reasons couples choose domestic adoption. There are fewer legal risks than are associated with domestic adoptions, and more children are available, she said. Also, requirements are usually less stringent in international adoptions, she said, which makes placement easier for couples in their late 30s and 40s.

"Usually couples or individuals who either can't conceive or who for altruistic reasons want to help children from other countries choose international adoption," she said. "Also, sometimes it may take a shorter amount of time than a domestic adoption, and it may be easier to choose the age or gender of a child."

The Wyatts said they will encourage families to seriously consider international adoption. Choosing the agency to work with is very important to having a positive experience, they said.

"There's a big trust issue involved so you have to choose carefully," Jeff Wyatt said. "We heard some horror stories from other adoptive families working through other agencies while we were there, but I think our agency is what made the trip so smooth for us."

The LFCS International Adoption Workshop will be held in the educational wing of St. Francis Medical Center. For more information contact LFCS at (573) 334-5866.