Rochester, N.Y. – “I'm the lucky one and I think all parents that adopt are the lucky ones,” Kathy Spencer said.Spencer says she feels lucky to have been able to adopt her daughter Kaitlyn.
Kaitlyn was adopted from Russia 18 years ago.
Spencer says her heart goes out to families who were trying to adopt children from Russia.
“I'm saddened, I'm very sad for the families that are out there,” Spencer said.
Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a bill banning Americans from adopting Russian children.
The ban means that U.S. families who may have been in the final stages of adopting from Russia can do nothing but look on as their cases are frozen.
Spencer says she knows what those families are feeling.
While in the process of adopting Kaitlyn, the Russian government put a moratorium on adoptions; putting her adoption on hold for two months.
“Your heart is really saddened because really the money and the time is nothing, because what you want is a little one to hold,” Spencer said.
Eventually, the adoption went through.
Laura Glasner, Adoption Director for Jewish Family Service of Rochester tells 13WHAM News her organization helps 40 to 60 families with adoption services.
Glasner says the adoption process can be unpredictable.
“When families make the very deep, really profound, emotional decision to adopt they are not easily dissuaded,” Glasner said.
“Our simple commitment is to the welfare of children and we are just really heartbroken that this new law would come between a child and the opportunity for that child to grow up in a loving family.”
An opportunity Kaitlyn says she’s very grateful to have.
“I'm very excited and thrilled to be in the United States,” Kaitlyn said. “I'm excited; I'm loved and very happy to have her.”
In January, Jewish Family Service will hold a free seminar for those interested in learning more about adoption.
