Couple reunited with adopted twins

UIS student grateful children are safe after earthquake in Haiti

February 03, 2010
By Kate Richardson
Assistant Editor for News

The devastation following the recent earthquake in Haiti hit hard for Chatham couple, Michael and Sandy Hurtubise who were in the process of adopting Haitian twins, Angela and Angelo. The twins are now with their adoptive parents and adjusting to life in the United States.

Even though Michael and Sandy —a UIS psychology major— were informed within 20 minutes of the earthquake that the twins were alive and well, they still had much to fear.

UIS student Sandy Hurtubise (far left) poses with her adopted children, Angelo (left) and Angela, and her partner, Michael Hurtubise. The twins were in their orphanage in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, when an earthquake decimated the city. - Photo by Sandy Hurtubise

“As the days wore on, we were getting constant updates- like they don’t have any food and water, robbers have come to the orphanage, the orphanage is trying to get supplies. Things like that… that was always scary,” Sandy said.

The couple felt some relief by the fact that Michael and Sandy frequently saw the twins’ orphanage in Port-au-Prince on CNN while the news organization covered the earthquake.

“Our orphanage was on CNN quite a bit, probably every day for over a week,” said Sandy. “So we were always looking for glimpses of them. I did see Angelo a couple times in the background smiling and stuff. So that was nice, even though it was on CNN because of the earthquake.”

Michael and Sandy were finally able to bring the twins home on Sunday, Jan. 24, after the twins were flown from Haiti to Florida. Sandy and Michael picked them up in Florida after waiting for 15 hours while the Red Cross and Immigration services “did whatever they did,” Sandy explained.   

The Hurtubises had been in the process of adopting the twins since 2007 when Sandy went on a mission trip to Haiti to deliver eye glasses. She spent four days in the orphanage, and upon returning home discussed adoption with Michael.

“We came home, we prayed to God about it and talked about it because there are so many orphans in Haiti,” Sandy said.

Michael and Sandy decided they wanted 3-year-old twins, so the orphanage referred Angela and Angelo to them.  Since Sandy’s first trip, she and Michael went back four more times to visit Angela and Angelo.
Sandy said the twins are adjusting well to the environment and lifestyle in America.

“They had their first time at McDonald’s today. They loved the French fries and chicken McNuggets,” said Sandy.

To further prepare for Angela and Angelo, Sandy joined the African and Caribbean group within the Diversity Center at UIS.

“I needed to immerse myself into something [for a Multicultural Political Counseling class] and I chose that group because they were a part of the Haiti community and I knew the kids were coming,” said Sandy.

Sandy described the whole experience as a rollercoaster of emotions.
“Between going back and forth to Haiti… the two year process… to see them, and love them and then leave them… And then this year, the earthquake and then as you can hear, my life went from having all adult or teenage kids to having 5-year-olds: crazy kids. It’s been great fun,” Sandy said.