The first section of the interview with Kari Grady Grossman, author of "Bones That Float, A Story of Adopting Cambodia is here.


SHB:
Are there any actions people can take to encourage the reopening of
Cambodian adoptions for Americans?

KGG:

My understanding is that this is now in the hands of the Cambodian government, and there has been a draft resolution sitting on their desks for 2 years. The US has a said it will not re-open their side until Cambodia makes it’s process less corruptible by a US standard.

I think it is inhumane for the US to hold children hostage in this political stalemate. We can continue to try and draw attention to the situation. Write your congressman, senator Landau and senator McCain.

Get the story to the media, somehow. I am hoping to do this with my book, as people read and learn the full context of the situation, I hope their compassion will be ignited to spread the word. I’d like to be on the Oprah Winfrey Show and tell everyone about the incredible ways that adoption benefits the entire country, as you so accurately pointed out in your post about “Cultural Genocide,” with the humanitarian aide and work being funneled to Cambodia by adoptive parents.

It is amazing to me that this story is never of interest to the media, but it is of deep interest to people.

SHB:
Have you seen what could constitute a legacy of the suspension in the making?

KGG:

Yeah, a lot of children growing up in orphanages who could have had a family. It’s inhumane.

SHB:
Now that Grady is getting older, how do you discuss Cambodian history, both
ancient and recent, with him, and what plans do you have for this in future?

KGG:

I wrote the book as a way to put the whole adoption story in historical and cross-cultural context for my son. Right now, we discuss the war and the ramifications of war. He seems to understand that. He is VERY thankful to have a family, and these words come out of his mouth unprompted. I certainly don’t expect him to feel thankful about his adoption, but at this point he really does, of his own accord.

In the future, we intend to live in Cambodia for a whole school year, to work on the next phase of projects at the Grady Grossman School, which we hope will create a model for others schools to become sustainable and self-supporting. I think when we do that it will all come together for him in a deeper way.

The interview continues in the next post.