Pantagraph.com Weather forecast, local radar and more
NewsSunday, July 22, 2007 10:14 PM CDT
Comments Comments (3) | E-mail this page E-mail this page | Print this page Print this page | Enlarge type Enlarge type | Reduce type Reduce type | Search archives Search archives | RSS RSS feeds | Add to My Yahoo! Add to My Yahoo!
From China with much love: Girls true blessing for Streator woman
By Greg Stanmar
gregstanmar@insightbb.com
Advertisement

STREATOR -- Ten years ago, a rural Streator nurse practioner decided it was time to start filling her modern log home with children, even though she was single and intended to stay that way.

To fulfill her wish, Rose Schaumberg, now 54, had to turn to an agency that specializes in overseas adoptions. The result was three girls born and abandoned in China. She is planning a trip to China next month to pick up a fourth girl.

“These children are considered special needs only because they were abandoned,” said Schaumberg. Only one child, Jennifer, 6, had medical concerns — a hole in her heart that is no problem with American medicine.

Jennifer spends her time these days, when not at Grand Ridge Grade School, helping sisters, Emily, 10, and Jessica, 7, and their mother run an efficient household that has no other adults.

Self-sufficiency for the girls is important with a mother who has to drive 30 miles to work each day at the U.S. Veterans Clinic in LaSalle.

When Schaumberg first investigated adoptions, she found her single status eliminated most options, though China, through faith-based Lifelink’s Missions, based in a Chicago suburb, encouraged it. Over the years, other countries have turned to single American women for help with their unwanted children.

English is a required subject in Chinese public schools, although orphanages usually do not offer it. It isn’t clear whether the latest Schaumberg will be able to quickly communicate with her new family. Most of the other children were too young to speak any language when they were adopted.

“Children pick up languages quickly,” the mother said. “I do not see a problem.”

The children are learning basic Chinese phrases at home, since they will accompany their mother to pick up their sister.

Each adoption costs about $20,000 with fees and transportation, a price tag well worth it, said Schaumberg.

Her pride in her family was further demonstrated when Emily wrote a short poem about growing up in her unique family. At the urging of friends, mother and daughter expanded the poem into an illustrated children’s book, “Three Blessings From China Adopted,” self-published by Authorhouse. It is available in local bookstores and at Amazon.com. The authors hope it will be the first in a series of books.

“It was something we enjoyed working on,” said Rose Schaumberg.

Take a look
Beth Adams played a memory card game with her daughters, from left, Stephanie, 11 and Joy, 3, in their home west of Bloomington, Tuesday, January 9, 2006. (Pantagraph, David Proeber)
Video
Most commented stories
Browse online archives
Recent issues:
Reader comments on this story - 3 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Feelgood wrote on Jul 23, 2007 11:31 AM:

" Another local lady well worth mentioning is Wilhelmina (Minnie) Vautrin. Secor, IL. native and one time teacher in LeRoy, she was honored posthumously by the Chinese government for saving the lives of many young women at the Ginling Girls College in Nanking, China in 1937. This during the Japanese massacre in that city. The Ginling Girls School became a haven, harboring up to 10,000 women and young girls. "

Just A Guy wrote on Jul 23, 2007 9:39 AM:

" This is a much better story than hearing about Angelina Jolie adopting yet another kid in a very obvious publicity stunt. "

the gift of love wrote on Jul 23, 2007 7:30 AM:

" This is a very heart warming story! I was a little shocked about the cost; but genuine heart filled love is priceless. I wish this family all the happiness in the world. "
Add your own comments

Please read the rules before posting comments.

You must be logged in to leave comments.
If you don't have a member ID, please register.

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
  Forgot Your Password?
 
Lee Enterprises Customer Service | 301 W. Washington St., PO Box 2907, Bloomington, IL 61701-2907 | Ph. 309-829-9000 | 800-747-7323
Copyright © 2008, Pantagraph Publishing Co. and Lee Enterprises. All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy