Mothers Day to Remember | USAF family adopts girl from Ukraine
Channel: Devil Dog
Date: 11/05/2014

Tech. Sgt. Jamie Meadows-Valley traveled to Ukraine to adopt 2-year-old Oleksandra from an orphanage. Jamie, her husband, Master Sgt. Ernie Valley, and the couple's children have embraced Oleksandra as part of their family, where she has made remarkable strides since coming to America. (U.S. Air Force video/Tech. Sgt. Samuel Morse) note: the music for this video is © 2014 Samuel Morse, however it has unlimited copy and distribution license when used in conjunction with this video.

Story by Tech. Sgt. Samuel Morse, 366th Fighter Wing
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho - A small crowd gathered outside the secure area exit at Boise Airport. It was late on a weekday, so the small airport was largely abandoned, save for a few families waiting for their loved ones.

Among the anxious crowd were family and friends of Tech Sgt. Jamie Meadows-Valley — an Airman from the 366th Aerospace Medicine Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, whose months of searching, legal struggles and even dodging protests in Ukraine, led to this pivotal moment.

Then, a familiar face pushing a stroller came through the exit.

It was Jamie with her newly adopted daughter, Sandie. The sight of her two sons and husband brought tears to Jamie's eyes.

She kissed and hugged them, then introduced the twins to their new sister.

Finally, the reunited family turned their attention to the friends standing behind them, waiting for their chance to meet 2-year-old Sandie.

Mark Tschampl and his wife, Capt. Lauren Tschampl, recalled the joy and optimism they felt welcoming Jamie and Sandie home.

Jamie and her husband, Master Sgt. Ernie Valley, who serves with the 366th Component Maintenance Squadron, did not take the choice to adopt lightly. The couple wanted to make sure they made the right decisions for the long term.

For this Air Force couple, adoption wasn't enough. They wanted to give a better life to a child who wouldn't receive the help he or she needed in their home country, whether or not he or she was adopted.

They started by trying to adopt a special needs child from Russia. Unfortunately, adoption was put on hold.

The Dima Yakovlev Act was signed into law in Russia and took effect Jan. 1, 2013. Among other things, it banned the adoption of Russian children by U.S. citizens. Disheartened, but still hopeful, they looked elsewhere while promising themselves to try Russia again once the borders were reopened for adoption.

They turned to Ukraine because the adoption process was similar to what Russia's had been, and because the country was similarly limited in its accommodations for people with disabilities. That's where they found Oleksandra, also known as Sandie.

Jamie and Ernie traveled to Ukraine in search of a child to adopt Nov. 29, 2013, leaving their sons in the care of family. Civic unrest had been building prior to their arrival, and the idea of being in Kiev, one of the areas affected by protests, was unnerving to Jamie.

The couple took a train to Donetsk, where the orphanage was located, and met Sandie for the first time.

Life in Ukraine wasn't easy for Sandie. With a cleft palate and limited access to medical care, she was hand-fed the entire time she lived at the orphanage. Staff members would hold her steady and only feed her bread soaked in milk so she didn't have to chew and wouldn't risk choking. She wasn't allowed to make choices for herself and despite being 2 years old, she wore clothing made for children less than half her age.

The couple wasn't able to bring Sandie home on that trip, they began the adoption process. Jamie later returned by herself to finally adopt her new daughter and bring her to the United States.

In her first week in her new home, Sandie learned to chew, try new foods and even use sign language to ask for more food. While she used to eat in total silence, she came out of her shell and was very vocal about her desire for more food, causing her to gain a full pound.

While the ability to form words still eludes Sandie, hearing a new language hasn't hampered her ability to communicate.

While Sandie's new parents are reveling in the love they feel for their new daughter, they also credit their military family with creating a positive environment for their new family member.

The couple received more than just support, but also genuine curiosity and enthusiasm toward the adoption.

The couple expressed strong feelings about the need for good homes for orphans, especially in Eastern Europe. They said they hope their story will inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

Ultimately though, it's all about giving Sandie a home.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/128757/family-call-her-own#.U2jlCK1dVG_#ixzz30wU7m6OF