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FROM RUSSIA
page 1
diapers for a child as young
as a newborn up to a three-year-
old.
The pots and pans were next.
Because of the last-minute
change in plans, IAC also did not
have time to prepare apartments
where adoptive couples would
stay. So the Weinfelds brought
their own dishes, silverware and
food (including an abundance of
tuna fish cans) from home.
By the time the couple had
packed — and filled an empty
suitcase with IAC goods to be do-
nated to Russian orphanages —
they ended up with almost 300
pounds in luggage.
Feeling anxious, nervous, ex-
cited and overwhelmed, the
Weinfelds arrived in Russia on
Mother's Day. Two days later,
they met Ethan.
"After all this time, we finally
met one of our children,"
Mrs. Weinfeld said. "He
was so small when we
first saw him. Now, he
has put on a few
pounds."
At first, they could
meet only in the hospi-
tal. They went every day.
After the adoption
was finalized, Ethan was
allowed to leave.
"Picking up your child
is a major event," Mrs.
Weinfeld said. "On the
Nancy Weinfeld plays with her son, Ethan.
way to pick ours up, we
from there seemed attractive be- had butterflies in our stomachs."
cause of our lineage," Dr.
Just after Ethan's adoption
Weinfeld said.
was completed, the Weinfelds
The Weinfelds began the adop- picked up Jordan, their 15-
tion process by attending work- month-old.
shops and completing extensive
He was staying at an old,
paperwork that ranged from ver- wooden building along with about 1-/
ification of income to proof of mar- 74 other children aged 6 months N
riage. Next, they agreed to pay to 4 years. Most of these children
$4,000 in IAC costs, plus a had been put up for adoption be-
$15,000-a-child fee imposed by cause their parents could not af-
the Russian government. There ford to care for them.
also was a visit from a social
worker, who conducts a home
study and collects family histo-
ries.
Weeks before they were to de-
part for Russia, the couple re-
ceived an unexpected call. Plans
had changed, IAC representa-
tives said. The Weinfelds would
— Dr. Jeffrey Weinfeld
still be going to pick up their chil-
dren, but not in 30 days. They
were told: Be ready to leave next
Dr. Weinfeld said he was sur-
week. The Russian government
prised at what he saw in the or-
had suddenly imposed a deadline
phanage. He had imagined it a
on foreign adoptions.
dreary and disheartening place
Tina Tucker of IAC said the
where the children received de-
government took such action be-
cent care but had limited inter-
cause it wants to make a census
action with staff.
of adoptees and overhaul the sys-
Instead, he saw a clean, well-
tem. The move is designed to give
maintained facility with plenty
Russian families, not foreigners,
of toys and games. Plenty of
the first chance at adopting the
workers were there to care for the
children.
children, whom he described as
The seven days before the
"well cared for and happy."
Weinfelds' departure consisted
Within a few days, the ex-
of sleepless nights and late-night
hausted,
but very happy family
trips to stores. Not knowing
was
back
in West Bloomfield.
the age or sex of their children,
"We
are
very lucky we got two
the couple had to take enough
clothing, food, formula and FROM RUSSIA page 10
physically challenging," Mrs.
Weinfeld said. "As a result, we
have two beautiful children."
The story began five years ago,
when the two married and set-
tled in West Bloomfield. After a
battery of fertility tests indicat-
ed they could not conceive chil-
dren of their own, they pursued
adoption.
The Weinfelds were impressed
by International Adoption
Consultants (IAC), a Wynadotte-
based agency that runs a charity
to send supplies to Russia. It also
conducts between 75 and 100
Russian adoptions each year.
Fearing a domestic adoption
could fall through, and knowing
they could complete the proce-
dure faster though IAC, the
Weinfelds chose to go overseas.
"Both of our grandparents
came from Russia, and adopting
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