A Romanian Adoption Story 1998
You will someday stop to reflect upon what was the best time in your life. It may have been a moment, a day or even an entire week. I'm 62 years old and I have been lucky enough to visit a few places in the world. Today I will share with you the best time of my life and it lasted a little over a week.
In 1998 I traveled to Romania to assist in the adoption process of five children. I traveled with two ladies; Lorri Kellogg, director of Universal Aid For Children, INC. and Anita Truettner her good friend, a licensed social worker. Our job was to see that the children made it from the orphanage steps to their awaiting families at the Fort Lauderdale Airport.
These photographs have remained in my personal albums since; though some of the family members may have copies. I wondered what would happen to these moments when it was my time to pass over. I don't want the best time of my life to stay buried on a hard drive and eventually lost forever.
If you recognize yourself in this collection, then realize how special you are and Thank You for giving me the best time of my life.
John Corley
Universal Aid For Children, Inc. in Romania
Romanian Adoption Journey, Trip Of A Lifetime.
In 1998 I was a new father of an adopted baby boy from Vietnam. What is not commonly known about me is the fact that I was learning about medical aid and relief prior to adopting my son Oliver.
In 1996, I began learning from one of the best, Lorri Kellogg of Universal Aid For Children, Inc. Lorri was the director of UAC and had led many relief projects throughout the world. I first met Lorri when I placed an application with UAC to adopt a child.
The first interview with her was one that will never be forgotten. To say that the interview was tough, would be an understatement. I had served 4 years in the United States Marine Corps and was currently employed at the Miami Beach Police Department for 12 years. I knew a little something about interviews.
I left that first interview a bit shaken up, but the interview reinforced in me that I was on the right path in life. I also left there with a deep respect for the lady now known to me as “The Sarge”.
As the months went by, UAC began accepting me as one of their own. The Sarge promised me that when my newly adopted son was old enough to spend a week or two with my family, UAC would take me to Romania to assist in the medical aid and adoption business.
In 1998, we made the trip to Romania. Our purpose was to bring back five orphan children to their awaiting, newly adopted parents. Some of the children had already been in the “pipeline”, as we referred to it, for two years. Both governments of Romania and the United States had approved and finalized the adoptions. Lorri, Anita and I were to liaison with the Romania agency and get the children to America.
Thus began the best time of my life. This page will show photographs that were taken in 1998, most of these photographs I took myself. I do not know the names of all the five children nor the orphanages now, but if I could remember, I would keep that information private out of respect for the families.
I hope that these photographs find the children someday.
John Corley
Romanian Orphanages in 1998
“Click on the images to make them larger.”
Romanian Orphanage
Lorri Kellogg, Lidia Lombard & John Corley in Romania 1998
Lidia Lombard and Maca Modoran
A special “Thank You” to Lidia Lombard and Maca Modoran for all the hard work put into this journey. Lidia and Maca were the Romanian coordinators for the adoptions. Both managed the case files on the five children from the very beginning and brought them to a wonderful conclusion.
I miss you both.
John Corley
Lorri Kellogg of Universal Aid For Children, Inc.
Lorri Kellogg
Director of Universal Aid For Children, Inc.
Lorri Kellogg
with the girls,,, Jaime, Tara Beth and Jillian
Follow the links below to articles:
Edna Buchanan
Edna Buchanan is a “Pulitzer Prize” winning reporter, also a winner of the “George Polk Award” for journalism. Edna is well known for her true crime novels. Edna dedicates a chapter in her book “Never Let Them See You Cry” to Lorri Kellogg, it is chapter 15, titled “Lorri”. I obviously cannot give you the entire chapter here, but if you like true stories from the tough streets of South Florida, read her book.
