Alliance For Children Foundation “One Plus One” orphan,
Fu Shengjun with his traveling companion Lili Lin and his “adoptive”
mom Emmy Lewis, meeting President Bush on Feb. 16, 2006
Finding Family in Unexpected Places
When Emmy Lewis traveled to China in 2001 to accompany her good friend
Carol von Stade, who was adopting a little girl, she never dreamed it
would be the start of a beautiful new family connection of her own.
While the adoptive families were being escorted through the Hefei Children’s
Welfare Institute (orphanage), Emmy happened to look back over her shoulder
to see a young man in a wheelchair silently observing them from a side
doorway. She left the group to walk over to speak to him saying the only
Chinese words she knew, “Ni Hao Ma” (How are you?). Much to
her surprise he answered, “I am fine…how are you?”
While neither of them knew it at the time, this would be the start of
a joyous journey together that would connect them as mother and son (in
every sense but legally) and eventually lead, five years later, to his
coming to the US to visit Emmy after undergoing cancer treatments…and
even to his meeting the President of the United States!
When Emmy returned home from China, she knew she wanted to do something
to help this young man, Fu Shengjun (or Xiao Fu -- ‘little Fu’
--as he’s called), who had lived most of his 25 years in the orphanage,
and to provide him with some type of family relationship and support.
Luckily she was able to be connected to him through the Alliance for Children
adoption agency’s unique “One
Plus One” program, started by China Program Director
Weihang Chen and his wife, Xiaozeng Wu in 1998. The 1+1 program connects
a teenager living in a Chinese orphanage who is too old to be adopted
with a Western family that will commit to a loving, long-term relationship,
and organizes the 1+1 families into groups that advocate for the orphans,
many of them special needs children. Emmy was connected to Xiao Fu and
although he was too old to be legally adopted, the two quickly bonded
and made an emotional commitment to “adopt” each other as
mother and child.
Over the years the two corresponded and their relationship grew stronger.
Emmy visited Xiao Fu at his orphanage in China several times and the two
even went on a wonderful trip to Beijing together in 2002 where with the
help of some traveling companions they were able to bring Xiao Fu, who
is paralyzed in his right arm and left leg, up the Great Wall. Xiao Fu’s
paralysis is believed to be a result of infantile polio, although the
doctors do not know for sure. Being paralyzed on opposite sides of his
body makes Xiao Fu’s life especially difficult; using a walker is
impossible and even using a wheelchair is challenging for him.
Despite the many severe hardships he has endured, Emmy recognized in
Xiao Fu an extremely determined and talented young man. Xiao Fu’s
disability made even the most basic schooling almost impossible; the elementary
school where he lived refused to accept him as a student. Due entirely
to his own drive and determination, Xiao Fu moved to the nearby countryside
to live with a foster family so that he could attend a school there that
would accept him. For seven years he rode on the shoulders of his foster
parents to and from school each day and suffered painful chilblains on
his paralyzed leg during the cold winters with no heating. The school
had no facilities for handicapped students so Xiao Fu had to restrict
his diet during the day in order to avoid using the restroom.
These years were very difficult and the conditions extremely harsh for
Xiao Fu, but he persevered in order to further his education and expand
his opportunities in life. Only three children from his orphanage managed
to receive a basic education, and as one of those, Xiao Fu fought for
his education every step of the way. He also taught himself in many subjects,
including fine arts, calligraphy and English. After completing a high
school level education, the orphanage he grew up in gave him a job typing
and running their computer systems, as well as being a big brother to
the younger orphans. His knowledge of English and his computer skills
served him well in his position when the orphanage began doing international
adoptions in the 1990’s and Xiao Fu became an invaluable member
of the staff. And of course it was an adoption trip to the Hefei orphanage
in 2001 that brought Emmy into Xiao Fu’s life, changing it forever.
Emmy dreamed of bringing Xiao Fu for a visit to the United States but
unfortunately that dream had to wait two long years. She first invited
him in 2003 but because of various factors the trip was delayed until
August of 2004. Then, shortly before he was due to travel, Xiao Fu suddenly
developed a high fever and was rushed to the hospital for treatment. He
was diagnosed with rectal cancer and had to undergo emergency surgery,
which included a colostomy. As is common in China with life-threatening
illnesses, Xiao Fu’s doctors did not tell him that he had cancer,
as they felt it would inhibit the healing process. The colostomy alone
came as a huge shock to Xiao Fu, but for several months he didn’t
even know about the cancer. After several months it was determined that
Xiao Fu would need additional treatment and so Emmy decided to visit China,
where she along with the orphanage director and an Alliance For Children
staff member finally told Xiao Fu the bad news. At first Xiao Fu refused
to believe the diagnosis and undergo the necessary chemotherapy. Only
after much persuasion did he finally undergo four sessions of chemotherapy,
which put his cancer into remission. Xiao Fu doesn’t believe he
could have made it through such a difficult and lonely experience without
the strength, love, and financial support for his medical expenses that
he received from Emmy during this time. In October 2005 he was declared
well enough to travel by his doctor and was finally on his way to the
USA, with traveling companion and Alliance For Children worker and nurse
Lili Lin by his side!
Xiao Fu, Lili and Emmy have had a jam-packed visit so far, with outings
to the symphony, the opera, the ballet, movies, church services, famous
DC monuments and museums, and of course, most importantly of all, spending
time together as family.
But the highlight of their visit so far has got to be the very special
day when they unexpectedly met and received blessings from none other
than President George W. Bush!
A Blessing from the President
Emmy was invited by a client to attend a White House- sponsored event
with President Bush leading a panel discussion on health reform at the
Department of Health and Human Services. She asked and received permission
to bring Xiao Fu and Lili, never imagining they’d actually get to
meet the President face-to-face. They arrived an hour early to get front
row seats but thought the best they’d be able to do would be to
snap a few quick photos of the President as he came on stage. At the conclusion
of the event, the President started to leave back through the same entrance
he had come in from when, much to everyone’s surprise, he suddenly
turned back and walked down the steps out into the audience to greet people
along the front row…right towards Emmy, Lili, and Xiao Fu!
As the President came near (with people crowding all around) Emmy leaned
over to him just as he looked down at Xiao Fu and said, "Mr. President,
I'd like to introduce you to Xiao Fu," and then staccato fashion,
quickly added..."he's an orphan, lived his whole life in a China
orphanage, undergoing cancer treatment…” Bush stopped, smiled
and reached down to shake Xiao Fu's hand. Xiao Fu grasped the President's
hand in his good left hand, and gave one of the beautiful, gentle smiles
that he has. The President asked him, "How are you doing?" Xiao
Fu said, "I am fine, thank you.” The President said, "You
are looking good, young man," and he reached down and patted Xiao
Fu on the head. Then he smiled and greeted Lili, then turned to Emmy and
asked, "Are they your friends?" When she answered, “Yes,”
but added that they were truly more like family, as she had unofficially
adopted Xiao Fu, President Bush had the most wonderful expression on his
face and simply said to Emmy, “Thank you.”
But to top it all off, the President saw Emmy trying to capture this
remarkable scene on film and said, "Here, give me your camera;"
then he called to a secret service agent, who stepped forward and took
the camera, as the President motioned them all to come together. After
the photo Bush moved past their little group to greet others, but then
walked back over to Xiao Fu and patted him on the head once again and
said, "God bless you." He continued down the line saying hello
to people and then left with his secret service entourage.
As Emmy sums up this special day: “Xiao Fu and Lili were so excited
and happy, and I was a little teary at this extraordinary blessing and
experience. The President, as well as everyone right around us, sensed
how special Xiao Fu and Lili are and how special the moment was for all
of us. Bush was so kind, thoughtful and interested. He is the genuine
article! He could so easily have breezed by, with a nod and a handshake.
Instead he responded with real care and concern for Xiao Fu and Lili…What
an amazing day of amazing grace!”
A Fighter
Xiao Fu’s personal motto has always been “I am a fighter,
not a quitter.” Sadly Xiao Fu is once again fighting for his health.
A biopsy several weeks ago indicated that his cancer has returned, although
the doctors are very hopeful about the prognosis. Luckily Emmy has been
able to find several doctors through members of her church who have volunteered
to donate their time and services to Xiao Fu and he is receiving the best
care possible. Please send your thoughts and prayers to this extraordinary
young man.
Emmy and Xiao Fu with one of Xiao Fu’s paintings
Alliance for Children Foundation
Emmy serves as a board member on the Alliance for Children Foundation,
an international relief organization dedicated to improving the physical
and emotional well being of abandoned children living in orphanages in
Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. The Foundation's projects in medical
care, basic needs, and education seek to heal, strengthen and empower
the world's most vulnerable children, especially those who are less likely
to be adopted due to age or special needs. Our programs provide these
children with an otherwise impossible opportunity for a better future.
To learn more about the Alliance For Children Foundation and its efforts
to help orphans like Xiao Fu around the world, please browse through our
web site, www.afcfoundation.org
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