Friday, January 05, 2007

Sadly Disappointed with Paula Zhan Interview

It seemed to start off well but then once the 'panel' got involved the focus moved away from the changes being made by CCAA and moved more to 'why aren't these people adopting from the US?' They also insinuated that all people adopting from China are doing so because they want perfect, smart, beautiful children who will all grow up to be doctors. Ugh....why must people judge one another's decisions rather than accept them? I can't say that the interview made me 'angry' (it takes quite a bit to make me angry) I was more disappointed then anything.

I chose to write Paula Zhan and offer my opinion. Please note this is my opinion only.

My comment:

Paula,
I watched with great anticipation tonight the story you were sharing about the changes being made my CCAA with regards to those people who may/may not qualify in the future to adopt a precious baby from China. I was disappointed that rather than stay with the facts and discuss the changes, the panel chose to voice their opinions that people adopting from China are looking for intelligent China dolls. Sadly the panel totally missed the original point of the segment - to discuss the changes being made by CCAA.

There are so many reasons I chose to adopt from China, most importantly being that is where my daughter is! China has a very predictable adoption process which is much more than I can say about either Canada or the United States. In China, when you follow the proper channels there is a child for you at the end of the process. A child that will not be taken away because the mother changes her mind.

As a single person I (currently) have the ability to adopt a baby, not a 3+ year old who has already had to endure more in their short little life than I will ever know.

Are China's babies healthy? Yes. Not perfect and they can definitely have health issues but as a parent the chances of my precious daughter having to live a life altered due to drug and/or alcohol abuse by her birth mother are much lower that with NA babies.

I would much appreciate it if you would consider doing a follow-up segment that features 'people in the know.' An adoption agency. A parent who has adopted from China and possibly one who is currently in the process.

I must admit that even though I would no longer qualify to adopt from China due to my single status I cannot fault the country for making the changes that they are. They want the very best for their children and I believe that is their aim. A parent who adopts internationally has to go through more tests, interviews and police checks than most biological parents ever do. If every 16yo pushing a stroller around these days had to go through the process that we do I believe there would be a lot less children having children. Trust me, international adoption is not for the faint of heart and you'll find it's a most amazing group of loving people who are excited to share their lives with one born half way round the world.

Please use the air time you have to do good for these children rather than bad. These are precious, innocent babies who deserve a home and I am so thankful that one day I will have the privilege of calling one of these baby girls, ‘Daughter!’

23 comments:

  1. Well written, Catherine. I sent a letter as well, but mine had a much angrier tone.

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  2. GREAT letter Catherine, I think that CNN is going to be inundated with letters, lets hope they do another show with the right facts.

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  3. Very well said! I sent in my point of view too, but it was not as nice as yours! They just don't GET IT!

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  4. Good for you Catherine! I didn't catch that segment, but I can tell from all the comments I've read that it would have made my blood boil.

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  5. I love your letter! It's perfect. Hopefully they'll get the point and do a follow-up with people who get it.

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  6. I was also pretty appalled at the segment. Your letter did a great job of explaining why the program was offensive in many ways. Thanks!

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  7. Too bad the show was such a disappointment - it had so much potential. Good job on the letter you've written.

    k

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  8. Beautifully written Catherine. I'm just sorry I missed the show, although maybe it was for the better!

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  9. I missed the show but went to the website and read through the transcript once I heard all the ruckus about it.

    I couldn't believe the blatantly racist remarks made by this panel. I mean the one about how we think maybe our kid will grow up and own a store. Seriously?!

    I wrote a letter after that. And let's just say yours was much nicer than mine.

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  10. Very well said! You have responded with integrity and grace.

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  11. Catherine,
    Thanks to you and your email reminder,I didn't miss the program. Your letter was beautifully written! I also sent an email. I hope that CNN and Paula Zahn respond to us.

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  12. Hi Kathy,
    Thank you for visiting our blog and adding your uplifting comments. We appreciate and admire your heart for adoption.

    The Paula Zahn item was indeed thoughtless and uninspired. The comments in the transcript of the airing are unfounded and racist in nature and deserve feedback from the folks who are prospective adoptive parents ...... here's a link to the feedback form ....
    >
    http://www.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5.html?11
    >
    So, it looks like we are 1 day apart on the China Log In dates. Our docs probably arrived at the same time but I'll bet they didn't get to ours by quitting time. Our LID is 3/24/06.
    >
    Did you see the Osborne Family Light Spectacle at MGM while you were at Disney? I took my 94 year old dad out there last night (probably during the PZ broadcast)and he did not want to leave! He couldn't believe his eyes! We finally had dinner at the Brown Derby (posh)and made our way home. We also enjoyed SCCs reading of the Christmas story in the Candlelight Procession at EPCOT. We were able to talk with him after the show (in 1995) and briefly tell him of our adoption plans.
    >
    God Bless You and Happy New Year!
    Don & Be

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  13. Beautifully said, Catherine. Too bad they didn't have someone as articulate on the show last night.

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  14. I'm still holding out on reading something that I know will get me all honked off when I'm on call...later, later.

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  15. Catherine,
    What an awesome and eloquently written letter!!! I was saddened by the transcripts that I read of the program and sent Paula an email also. We were in China March 2006 adopting our daughter.
    Terrye in FL
    www.graceelyseshirley.blogspot.com

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  16. I too was shocked at the content of the show. Mark and I sent a letter also, but as others have stated, ours was a bit..angrier then yours was.

    I do hope that they do a follow up to correct their facts.

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  17. That was a great letter, Catherine! VERY good! Thanks for writing it! And I hope they do a follow-up, or at least issue an apology of some sort. Probably won't, but all these letters may do some good!

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  18. Ok, I am not adopting from China, a friend is and so I am interested, I read the transcript and I was offended. I cannot imagine how the rest of you, who spent months thinking about and researching all your adoption options feel. These guys on the panel were on very specific soapboxes and seemed to think that because they got on TV they had a corner on the truth. Far from it. Good for you Catherine. Great letter.
    Cherylyn

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  19. WEll SAID Catherine!! I hope they do a follow up story. Paula and the rest of CNN should be ashamed!

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  20. Excellent letter - very well written!
    It'll be interesting to see if they do a follow-up piece.

    Cari

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  21. Way to go Catherine! I would have thought a "professional" reporter would have done more homework and that they would have had people like you said "in the know" on their panel. Way to go!

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