From China to Home
By Shiya Vermaas and Jodi Oliver
Shiya: Seventeen years ago, on May 4, 2009, I was adopted from Nanjing, China, at the age of three and a half years old through the China adoption program. I have been living with a loving, adoring family for seventeen years, in a home of love and laughter that has supported me every step of the way. However, my path has not always been easy since I was diagnosed with developmental delay. Early on, every day was a struggle because I struggled to do the most cognitive and basic functions of an average three-year-old when I first came home. I remember being told that I would stand in one place crying with my entire hand in my mouth because I refused to walk. That was fun for everyone who witnessed that, especially my Mama.
Jodi: Adopting Shiya fulfilled a deep calling in me to be her mother. Even before we met in the physical world, I believe we were already connected. At first, though, she did not recognize that bond. For many years, Shiya struggled to allow herself to be loved. She was always strong, creative, and deeply feeling, but she found it difficult to trust even the smallest expressions of care.
The very first night I had her, she had such an intense tantrum that she broke the crib. Because I was sitting beside the crib on the floor, the sides of the collapsing crib fell and struck my face, breaking my nose. Indeed, from the beginning, she did everything she could to push me away. She yelled, threw things, and resisted any closeness. She would gnaw on her hands and pick at her skin until it bled. At times, she would remain completely still in defiance, as if to create distance and keep me from coming near.
New experiences felt overwhelming to her. Whether it was trying a new food, learning to walk, or entering school, she often responded with dire fear and violent resistance. It was not easy. But what she did not yet know was this. I was there… for all of it. I was as stubborn as she!
Somewhere along the way, we began to find each other. She was the original Swiftie, drawn to Taylor Swift's music even as she held close to her love for all things China. We bonded there, in songs and moments that gave language to what neither of us could yet fully say. One line has always felt as if it were written for her, for us: Long live all the mountains we moved…
Over the years, through counseling, physical therapy, speech therapy, tutoring, and a life filled with love, faith, and adventure (alongside nine siblings), Shiya began to grow into herself. We have returned to China together more than once, and our family has grown through the adoption of her brothers from there. She holds her culture with pride and love. She embraces all that she is, where she comes from, and where she is going. Slowly, she learned to stand, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. She found her voice and began to claim the life she was meant to live.
Now, she is preparing to graduate from college and plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work, with the hope of helping others find family through adoption and chosen connection.
While she continues to build trust, she has faced immense challenges and is moving forward with courage and purpose.
There are still moments of doubt, as there are for all of us, but what has never wavered is her deep desire to know God, to love others, and to become herself fully. She is both an artist and a scholar. She draws, sings, dances, and embraces life with a growing sense of joy.
To say I am proud does not begin to capture what her journey means to me. From a small village outside Nanjing to the threshold of graduate study and a life of service, Shiya Rose carries a vibrant faith and a powerful sense of purpose. She is ready and determined, as she has always been.
Shiya: I have come so far and wish to shepherd those who are in need of finding a forever family through the life of service I have been called to. In a Chinese dialect from around the area of Nanjing, my name means “beautiful story.” It has been quite the journey from the crying child left at the chemical factory to the wonderful woman I have grown to be with the help and support of the people who deeply care about me. I could not have made it without the love and devotion of the people in my life who have surrounded me with their support. I am truly grateful to live this beautiful story.
America World is incredibly proud of Shiya as she graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in History from Liberty University this May, and we celebrate all that she has overcome to reach this moment. Her story is a testament to what is possible when a child is met with unwavering love, support, and opportunity. As she steps into the next chapter, we look forward to the ways she will use her voice and experiences to impact others, continuing the beautiful story that is still unfolding.
If Shiya’s story inspires you, we would be honored to help you explore whether adoption is right for your family. You can visit our Learn About Adoption page to pre-apply at no cost and schedule a conversation with our team. While China is not currently open to international adoption, families can pursue adoption from Bulgaria, Ecuador, and India, and our Waiting Child Photolistings introduce you to some children who are hoping for a family.