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Page 21 April 2016 By Amanda Goossen Hunter Dougherty “Patch” Adams, is an American physician, comedian, social activist, clown, and author, made famous by the 1998 semi-biographical major motion picture starring Robin Williams. On February 26, Adams visited downtown Phoenix to speak at the city’s first Clown Town Healing Fest, a joyous celebration promoting health and healing as a community. For one Arcadia family, however, Patch Adams’ visit meant more than just his involvement in this event. To Vicki and Henry Vanderhoff, Patch Adams signifies the beginning of their life together. In the summer of 2008, Vicki was at a turning point in her life. Nearing her 40 th birthday, she felt time ticking on the traditional path to motherhood. “For a single person trying to adopt a child in the United States, there weren’t many options,” said Vicki. “Russia was one of the only countries that would consider it. I’d been to Russia years before and an international adoption didn’t scare me.” After the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 90s, with families under extreme stress and unable to cope, Russian orphanages saw a surge in numbers. In 2013, the Washington Post reported, “Russia has 600,000 orphans...which is Russia’s third great wave of orphans, the first two coming on the heels of the two World Wars.” In 1994, Russia began allowing international adoptions. With a government system unable to keep up with the sheer number of children and orphanages in extremely poor conditions, finding homes for the children who ranged from newborn babies to teens, was of grave importance. Vicki arrived in Russia on Thanksgiving 2008 and the government immediately made things uncertain for the hopeful mother, putting her through a series of emotionally- trying situations. “Within the first day of being there,” said Vicki. “I wanted to go home. I was telling my mom and my sister to book us plane tickets home.” One kind woman, however, made all the difference. “There was a wonderful woman at the orphanage named Stella,” said Vicki. “She fought for me. She is still a friend.” After Stella observed the situation she intervened, working for Vicki against the same government who paid her salary. She was fighting for the children she cared for, as well as this American woman who so badly wanted to be a mom. “On the second day we were there, she walked into a room at the orphanage, closed a door and I could hear her yelling in Russian,” said Vicki. “She was in the room for a long time but when she came out she told me she had my baby.” Vicki, her sister Kelly and mother Kit were taken to a second orphanage. Upon exiting the car, they were filled with excitement, but also with fear. “It was overwhelming because after all we’d been through since we arrived, we were filled with doubt,” said Kit. The women walked toward the orphanage and as they neared the front door, they saw clowns playing on a makeshift playground as well as laughter ringing through the air. The entire scene was a drastic opposition to the gray and stark setting. Vicki overheard the brightly dressed men and women speaking English and immediately got their attention. “Through the chain link fence, Vicki asked the clowns if they were from America,” said Kit. “They told us they were with Patch Adams.” The clowns told the three women that Patch was waiting inside with their baby. Only one child was being adopted that day and the famous clown wanted to hand the sweet nine-month old boy to his mother. The women were stunned. Patch Adams has worked tirelessly over the past 40 years as a doctor, happiness healer and social activist. His time in orphanages, particularly in Russia has been a main focus of his work. On his website Patch explains, “In 1985, I took a group of people on a clown trip to what was then the Soviet Union. Equipped with colorful clothing and compassion we visited hospitals, orphanages, homes for the elderly as well as just clowning on the street.” He further explains, “Since then, these trips have been an integral part of our outreach. Apart from returning to Russia every year there have been clown trips to all corners of the world, including visits to war zones, refugee camps and natural disaster sites. We’ve also built clinics and a school at some of the places we’ve visited. I go on six or seven of these trips yearly. They are the sweetest healing work I get to do while I wait for the hospital.” To date, Patch Adams and his team have visited over 2,000 orphanages worldwide. “What they do, the way they give of their time to these children who live in very structured, harsh conditions, it’s tr uly incredible,” said Kit. Upon meeting Patch, the entire Vanderhoff family was forever changed. “Patch brought Henry in,” said Vicki. “He handed Henry to me and then sat, talking with us and taking in the entire moment.” It was an emotional experience for everyone. “The minute we saw Henry, the very minute…we were in love,” said Kit. “It was the most magical moment of my life.” Henry Patch Vanderhoff officially came home on March 6, 2009. Russian adoption laws at the time required three separate visits from Vicki before she could take her son home. Vicki gave Henry his middle name in honor of all Patch stands for. “Patch represents compassion. I want Henry to carry that with him and to know where he comes from,” said Vicki. After arriving home, Vicki sent Patch a birth announcement. Patch sent back a very nice, handwritten note. In the years since, communication between the two has continued with Christmas cards and occasional notes. When Kit read about Patch’s upcoming visit to Phoenix in the January 2016 edition of Arcadia News , she immediately dreamed of a reunion between their family and the man who had handed them their beloved boy. The weekend of his visit was also Henry’s eighth birthday. Kit contacted the organizers of the Clown Town Healing Fest, who were incredibly accommodating. They planned a meeting with Patch as well as a birthday cake for all to enjoy. And when the moment arrived, on that sunny Saturday morning in downtown Phoenix, thousands of miles from the Russian orphanage where their story began, Patch Adams may have said it best, as he looked adoringly at the sweet Russian boy who now calls Arcadia home. “If you want to make a difference in the world, adopt a child,” he shouted with tears streaming down his face, to anyone and everyone who would listen. “This is how beautiful that child will turn out. He is proof of the greatness of saving a life.” Note: In December 2012, Russian President Vladimir V. Putin signed a bill that banned the adoption of Russian children by American citizens, a measure that further strained relations between the Russian and American governments. For more information on Patch Adams, and his work, visit patchadams.org. Patch Adams reunites with Arcadia family and their son Eight year old Henry Patch Vanderhoff reunites with Dr. Patch Adams, who was instrumental in his adoption. Patch represents compassion. I want Henry to carry that with him and to know where he comes from . ” ‘‘