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FSIN calls immediate action on adoption of First Nations children
The FSIN is calling immediate moratorium on provincial adoptions
of First Nations children into non-First Nations homes.Regina Leader-Post
Updated: January 7, 2019
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The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) is calling an
immediate moratorium on provincial adoptions of First Nations children
into non-First Nations homes.The request came in the form of a news release issued Monday in
response to Premier Scott Moe’s apology Saskatchewan’s role in
Indigenous children being seized from their birth families and
relocated to non-Indigenous homes starting in the 1950s and lasting
until the late 1980s.FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron, who was not present for
Moe’s apology at the Legislative Building, has requested to have
compensation attached to apology, but the Sask.Party has long
stated it would not do so.“Our First Nations children are still being ripped away from their
families, communities and culture.This needs to stop immediately.This
apology is empty if it is not followed through with action,” Cameron
said in the release.While the FSIN, which represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan,
acknowledged and welcomed the government’s apology as “a good start,”
FSIN vice-chief David Pratt said the current social services system
“continues to fail our children.” Pratt called “immediate reforms
that will place jurisdiction and accountability into our First Nations
communities.”
“We will continue to fight our children and our families and we
won’t stop until there is a First Nations-led child welfare system that
focuses on family support, language and culture,” Cameron said.“We look forward to asserting our First Nations control over our First
Nations children.”
In his speech, Moe stressed the changes that have occurred in the
government’s approach to child welfare since the Sixties Scoop.“What we can offer is the solemn assurance that government policies
have changed.And they continue to change,” he said.“While there are still too many First Nations and Métis children in
care, today we work with 17 First Nations Child and Family services
agencies to deliver culturally appropriate child welfare services to
vulnerable children in more than sixty First Nations communities,” Moe
added.Moe said that when possible, families are kept together, supports have
been strengthened to maintain connection to culture and family, efforts
are made to keep siblings together, and work continues to actively
recruit First Nations and Metis foster families.“And we’re providing
cultural training to non-Indigenous foster families,” he said. 'We failed': Sask.Premier Moe apologizes to Sixties Scoop survivors
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FSIN calls immediate action on adoption of First Nations children
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Fewer same-sex couples who apply to adopt in Northern Ireland have a
child placed with them than LGBT couples in other parts of the UK,
figures obtained by BBC News NI suggest.In 2013, Northern Ireland laws changed to allow same-sex couples to
adopt the first time.It was the last part of the UK to implement the change.Figures released show that since the law change in Northern Ireland, 30
same-sex couples have applied to adopt.Image caption Laws to allow same-sex couples to adopt were introduced
in England and Wales in 2005 and in Scotland in 2006
Of these, two couples have had a child placed with them - a success
rate of 1 in 15.During the same period in the rest of the UK, 481 same-sex couples
applied to adopt.Of these, 235 couples had a child placed with them - a success rate of
one in two.The figures were released by the Northern Ireland Health and Social
Care Trusts under Freedom of Information rules.The lower rate in Northern Ireland could be due to the fact that
adoption processes can take several years to be completed, meaning some
adopters are still in the process and may have been approved, but not
had a child placed with them yet, said a Department of Health
spokesperson.'It was a learning curve'
Civil partners Mark Nesbitt and Ciaran Connolly began the adoption
process four-and-a-half years ago.They have just been approved to adopt and are now waiting a child
to be placed with them."It was a learning process both of us
because we were her first homosexual couple, so her it was a
learning curve and us it was a learning curve as well," said Mr
Nesbitt."I have friends who adopted but they adopted from London… so we
thought, this might not happen or it will be harder than most
straight couples."But we got talking to a lot of straight couples and they went through
exactly the same as what we went through so we were treated in a way
that was quite equal."It probably just took a lot longer because it's new to everybody."Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The ban on same-sex marriage
was overturned in the courts after the then Minister Health
resisted the change
He says they are now waiting excitedly to see which child they'll be
matched with: "I'm excited.I'm nervous.It can't happen quick enough."EJ Havlin, the Northern Ireland Director of Adoption UK, said the way
the law changed in Northern Ireland may have also delayed some adoption
cases.The ban on same-sex adoption was overturned in the courts following a
lengthy legal process which was resisted by the then Health Minister at
Stormont, rather than passed in parliament like the rest of the UK."Whenever this legislation first came in the changes happened almost
overnight, so unlike the 'bedding in' period which happened in the rest
of the UK, the changes overnight meant that social services needed to
get some support and training," she said."This has been a real cultural change, so it takes time that to be
embedded."Ciaran Moynagh, a Belfast-based solicitor and who has represented
campaigners the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Northern
Ireland, said while adoption applications can take a long time to be
approved, it was necessary to ensure the process was fair all."When it comes to people looking at adoption and there are families
having children removed from them, there has to be a due process and it
has to go into court," he said."The parents of that child have a right to have their voice heard and
all of this has to be done in a human rights compliant process.So
having a child freed adoption is quite a long process."He added that Stormont's resistance to the law change prior to the 2013
court ruling had also had impact."We have to remember the context this comes it.It's been five
years but there's been a longer legal story," said Mr Moynagh."We've had to fight that right in courts.It hasn't been a
legislative change brought in Northern Ireland and it hasn't been
informed societal change, so that may have put a lot of people off."Related Topics
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GOSHEN TOWNSHIP Lisa Crites knew she would be Megan's mother when she
first met her nearly a quarter of a century ago.They met when Crites, a social worker, visited the home where the then
5-year-old was living.Crites was there to provide therapy to another
foster child as part of her work with Personal and Family Counseling
Services."Of course when you go into a family's home, you don't ignore anyone,"
Crites said."You don't ignore other children, especially.I introduced
myself.I remember playing with her, a little game, just chatting."Megan left that family to live in a residential treatment center
because of behaviors she was exhibiting after having been abused as a
child, said Crites.Shortly thereafter, she got a call from the Tuscarawas County
Department of Job and Family Services.Their question: Would Crites
consider adopting a young girl who had no family members willing to
take her?"The worker thought that she and I would be a good match," Crites said."The worker told me it was Megan, so I remembered her."An opportunity lost
Crites started taking foster parenting classes.She was ready to do her
final project, writing her life story, when the process was
interrupted."A great aunt and uncle of Megan's had stepped forward, and said that
they would be willing to take Megan into their home.Family always
takes precedent in those situations.I just stepped out of the picture.I hadn't even been visiting with her because I wasn't a licensed foster
parent yet.So she knew nothing it," Crites said of Megan.It was the first time Megan slipped away from her.Megan went to live with her great aunt and uncle more than 10
years.Although both Megan and Crites acknowledge there were some good
aspects of their care — the couple raised her in a church, for
instance, other factors were problematic."It was hard me," Megan said."I was very sheltered.There were a
lot of things I felt like I wasn't able to do, like sometimes I wasn't
able to go to football games or spend time with friends or do anything
like that."The family placement ended when Megan was sent to a group home in New
Philadelphia at age 16."She really hadn't been doing anything terribly out-of-the ordinary for
average teenager, but by this time, her great aunt and uncle were in
their 80s," Crites said."They were of the generation where children
should be seen and not heard.(Due to) some of her natural rebellion,
they took her to court unruly behavior.At the time, she was given
a probation officer and they decided to place her in the girls' group
home, thought it would be best everyone."Crites knows this now, but she didn't know it when she volunteered to
work at the PAL Mission group home after Megan had been placed there.Reunited by Bible study
"I was doing a Bible study with the residents on how to build healthy
relationships," Crites said."And the first night I went, there was
Megan.""She knew who I was, but I didn't know who she was," Megan said."I came home and I said to myself, 'God put this girl in my life again
a reason and I'm not going to ignore it,'" Crites said.The next day, she asked the group home director if she could be
assigned to mentor Megan, since each resident was given a member of the
community to work with them individually.The request was granted,
providing official means Megan to visit Crites' home."When she was still at PAL Mission, that first Christmas that we really
spent together, I sat down and told her the story how when she
was younger, I was called and asked to consider adopting her," Crites
said."I remember her looking at me and saying, 'You mean all that
time, somebody really cared me and wanted me?'"I said, 'Yeah, you've always been wanted and cared for.'"Initially, Megan decided to stay in the foster-care system, living in
the PAL Mission, when she turned 18 because she hadn't finished high
school yet.But three months after her 18th birthday, she wanted to
leave foster care.Crites helped her get apartment."Then she began to make some decisions that I couldn't really support,"
Crites said."I told her that I would always be here her, but that
I couldn't support some of the choices she was making.We kind of
drifted apart a couple of years."That was the second time Megan slipped away.An unexpected call
"Then in July of 2010, she called me, said that she was expecting a
child and that she wanted to get her life back together and that she
wanted to have a relationship with me again.Pretty much since then,
we've been together as a family."Crites helped Megan get a driver's license, finish her education and
get apartment with the father of her son Kyson Malcuit, who is now
8."I was there his birth, been there ever since.We've pretty much
been a family since that time," Crites said.Megan, 29, has been a home health aide five years.She and Kyson
live in a New Philadelphia apartment, although they typically spend
Saturdays and Sundays with Crites, and have a family dinner together in
the middle of the week.They spend Christmas Eve together in Crites'
house, where they open presents.Kyson will be able to go sledding,
when the weather cooperates, on the five hilly acres outside the home
on Ridge Road NE.That might be enough of a happy landing most people.But Megan
wanted the family relationship to be official."Any kid, I think, that's been in foster care most of their lives, they
want a family," she said."They want to feel that they're cared for."When I was younger, and even in some of my adult years, even when I
had Kyson, I struggled a lot with feeling like I was abandoned, like
nobody cared.And I think most kids in foster care probably do feel
that way."Adoption becomes possible
In 2016, a change in state law let Crites and Megan fulfill their
wishes to be mother and daughter.Crites learned from one of her
University of Akron social work students that Ohio made it legally
possible adult to be adopted as long as the "child" had been in
foster care at age 18.Attorney Richard Fox handled the adoption.Since Lisa's longtime friend
Sylvia Argento is the administrator of Tuscarawas County probate and
juvenile courts, a visiting judge was brought in to consider the
adoption.The case was handled by retired Trumbull County Probate Judge
Thomas Swift, who served on a state committee that promulgated the
adult adoption provision.The adoption became official on Dec. 5, three days before Crites' 55th
birthday.Her daughter changed her name from Megan Sue Carruthers to
Megan Elizabeth Crites.Megan said she changed her middle name because
she never liked the name Sue, but thinks Elizabeth is pretty.She and
her mother believe their case is the first of its kind in Tuscarawas
County.Although she waited most of her lifetime to have a mother, Megan
believes the timing was perfect."I believe everything happens in God's time," she said."This didn't
happen before because God doesn't take shortcuts.Even when I was 5, I
just think God didn't want to take the shortcut."For me, to just make it official, was amazing.If anything ever would
happen to me, then I know Kyson would be taken care of.""We've been a family since July of 2010," Crites said."I think it's
just strengthened and grown from that time.We were both a little
hesitant at first, unsure of it.Would it work?"She's my daughter.She's called me Mom.I've always said she's the
daughter of my heart."Every year, actually at Christmas time, I would sit and look at the
Christmas tree and reflect on the year, and kind of always ask that
wish of becoming a mother someday."'You can be loved'
In addition to gaining a mother and grandmother in Crites, Megan and
Kyson also picked up Argento as aunt and great aunt, as she and
Crites have a sisterly relationship of 30-some years.Megan said it feels like Lisa has always been her mother."We do things so much alike.We think alike.I'm just the daughter that
she should have had.And everybody says that we look alike, too.Everybody says, 'You'd never know the difference.'I said, 'Good,
that's the way I like it.'"The family structure makes Megan and Kyson "only" children."We are spoiled, but we don't act like it," Megan said with a laugh,
sharing a family joke."We are very blessed."When Kyson opened his presents on Christmas morning, he said, "Boy, I
am loved.""And that's what we want him to feel, what I want Megan to feel,"
Crites said."Blood doesn't make a family," said Megan."Love does," said Crites."Being biologically related doesn't make you
a parent.It's not in the DNA.It's in the heart.""She is my mom and my son's grandma," Megan said."She has taught me
the meaning of unconditional love.She has shown me how to be a mature,
responsible, and independent woman."She asked The Times-Reporter to share her story to let others who have
been through similar experiences to know it is possible to have a real
family, and to never give up."You can be loved," Megan said."You can have a family.People do care
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A couple who agreed to adopt a baby were devastated after learning that the
mother was never pregnant in the first place
Kelly McLaughlin
Dec. 10, 2018, 2:57 PM
K3S/Shutterstock
that they were looking a baby to adopt after they
Traytes, then later said the baby was still alive, despite
"
after their adoption process turned out to be a hoax allegedly made up
by the woman who told them they could have her baby.Matt and Laura Trayte, from Lake Forest, California, met Beth Jones, of
Nickelsville, Virginia, on after a months-long attempt at
adopting a child, according to the Orange County Register.Over the course of more than two months, Jones led the couple to
believe she was having a baby — but now the Traytes say there was no
baby to begin with.The Traytes struggled to conceive
The couple had struggled to conceive their first son, Hudson, and later
had difficulties when trying to have a second child.The Traytes went though multiple rounds of IVF and spent $16,000 on
failed adoption services before launching the page, "A Sibling
Hudson," and accompanying GoFundMe.Through the page they met several potential birth mothers who
wanted to give up their babies, including Jones, who contacted the
couple in September.Jones told the Traytes she had gotten pregnant in April and that she
and her husband wanted to give up the baby because they couldn't afford
a third child.She didn't want any money, and the Traytes and Jones decided they would
have open adoption, where Jones would still be in the baby's life.Jones and Laura Trayte exchanged messages several times a day between
September 13 and November 29, with the women calling the unborn child
"baby girl," and exchanging thoughts pregnancy.
Read more:10 things to know IVF, a popular fertility treatment
Ahead of the baby's birth, Laura Trayte traveled to Virginia to meet
Jones, and was sent numerous ultrasound photos.When Jones finally told the couple she was going into labor, however,
the Traytes learned there was no baby.They arrived in the emergency room on November 29 to find Jones fully
clothed, no baby in sight, and doctors saying the woman was being
treated back pain, and not in labor.Jones later told the couple via texts that she had "lost the baby about
two weeks ago" but didn't want to tell the Traytes because she was
"scared."Jones has given conflicting explanations what's happened
After telling the Traytes that she'd lost the baby two weeks prior,
Jones later posted on that she'd actually lost the baby 13
weeks after conception.She then told investigators that she lost the baby in June.Then Jones told Southern Californian News Group that the baby was still
alive, and that she would still consider letting the Traytes adopt the
child."I wouldn't say I have really changed my mind on them," Jones wrote in
a message to the media company."I just have to know without a
doubt what's best.I'm not even sure what's best."She has yet to produce birth or death certificates the child, and
the Traytes believe that there was no baby to begin with."What was her motive?"Laura said to the Orange County Register."It
wasn't money.It seemed like she wanted to see us in the most emotional
pain possible.She should get mental help.What else is she capable
of?"Her husband added: "This is a case of pure psychological torture.It is
emotional crime."The district attorney's office in Scott County, Virginia, has yet to
bring charges against Jones, and investigators said it would only be
possible to bring a civil suit against her because no money was
exchanged.Jones' motive remains unclear — but it's not the first time such a
thing has happened.In 2015, a woman was arrested deceiving a couple with a fake
pregnancy in Texas.And earlier this year, a woman was arrested for
allegedly faking pregnancy to scam thousands of dollars out of adoption
:
pregnancy
deceased donor, and it's the first successful birth of its kind
SEE ALSO: 10 of the most common pregnancy complications to watch out for
NOW WATCH: artist from Belgium creates shadow art using everyday objects
More: Pregnancy Adoption Family Hoax
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Adoption equals 11 children the Dyer family
Casey White CWhiteStar
Sunday
Dec 23, 2018 at 8:28 AM Dec 23, 2018 at 8:28 AM
The Christmas season can get a little hectic at the Dyer house, but
that just comes with the territory of having 11 kids.Roy and Glenda Dyer raised five kids of their own before adopting six
more and fostering countless others over the years.So when the family
gets together the holidays, along with grandkids and
great-grandkids, it is quite the event.�It�s a madhouse, but I sit back and I love it,� Glenda said.Roy and Glenda Dyer�s kids, Michael, Mark, Brian, Keisha, Ashley, were
still growing up when they adopted Matt.His mother was someone Roy
Dyer had encountered and arrested several times while on patrol with
the Cleveland County Sheriff�s Office.Knowing she couldn�t take care of the baby, Roy and Glenda came to the
decision to take Matt in as soon as he was born.Around 14 years later, when Matt was a teenager, the family began
serving as foster parents through the Department of Social Services.They have since adopted five more children and cared 40
foster kids.�It was when the kids got grown and started marrying off and getting
gone, all of a sudden we had empty house and rooms.That�s when it
dawned on us,� Roy said.�It was just meant to be,� Glenda said.Joey, Katie and Alli joined the family after Matt.Roy and Glenda most
recently finalized adoptions with siblings Justus and Jenny in
September.Following the family path
It was Roy�s service in law enforcement that brought Matt into the fold
and opened the family up�to how important adoption can be.Matt has since followed in his father�s footsteps.He spent three years
with the Shelby Police Department and now, like his father, serves in
the Cleveland County Sheriff�s Office.Roy said seeing Matt follow his path into law enforcement has given him
a sense of�pride.Though he grew up in the Dyer home, Matt believes his family history is
a link he has to kids who might come from difficult family situations.It was that connection, and his biological mother�s struggle with drug
addiction, that inspired Matt to become Drug Abuse Resistance Education
certified.Matt now hopes to step into the D.A.R.E.program to help kids in the
community.�I think my strong point is community relations and hopefully reaching
kids before they get to the point where they�re doing drugs,� Matt
said.�In my opinion, it�s just as important to try to steer kids into
the right direction as it is catching the adults doing crime.�
Matt isn�t the only child to follow in the footsteps of the parents,
albeit in a completely different way.Two of Roy and Glenda's daughters have gone on to adopt children of
their own, and one of their sons is currently going through the
process.Matt said he and his wife plan to adopt once their two kids
are a little older.�I think once people can actually see inside and see what it�s like to
adopt, then they�re much more open to it,� Roy Dyer said.By the numbers
Allison Clark, program manager over adoption and foster care at the
Cleveland County Department of Social Services, said it isn�t uncommon
to see families adopt multiple times, and their team enjoys when it
happens.To Clark, repeat families show how things can go right the families
and the kids who take part in the process.She said the Dyer family is
example of how meaningful adoption can be.�It is wonderful to see someone open their heart to that extent,� Clark
said.�They just pour everything they have into those children.�
There are currently 62 children cleared adoption in Cleveland
County.Only nine of those children are not in adoptive home
already.Between July 2017 and June 2018, the Department of Social Services
oversaw 14 adoptions in Cleveland County.The department has already
finalized 16 adoptions since July of this year.�That�s wonderful,� Clark said.�What that says is we�ve identified
those forever families and the courts and social workers and attorneys
have worked really diligently to make sure those things are finalized.�
Not slowing down
Over his years as a father, Roy has been known lugging along a
video camera and documenting the lives of all 11 kids, from holidays to
losing their first teeth to getting their drivers� licenses.A collection of nearly 180 DVDs in the Dyer home documents the special
moments in the lives of their children.Though the kids despised the camera at the time, Roy said their oldest
children are now excited to look back at the memories the family has
shared over the years.�Now when they come over at Christmas or Thanksgiving, the first thing
they want to do is pull out the videos,� he said.The whole family gets a chance to come together during the holidays,
with Roy and Glenda�s adopted and biological kids spanning decades in
age.Though they are now in their late 60s, Roy and Glenda both say they
want to continue helping kids as long as they can.In addition to
their adopted kids still at home, the couple�currently houses two
foster children.�A lot of people when they get older and they get close to retirement
age, they get to thinking wanting to retire and do and do and do
and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.That ain�t ever been us,� Roy said.�We
just still enjoy having kids around.�
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3.Adoption, fostering and surrogacy
Press release
Thousands more families to benefit from the Adoption Support Fund
£12million boost to support adoptive families bringing total investment
to almost £150million since it was first introduced
Published 23 December 2018
From:
Department Education and The Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP
Adoptive family
Thousands more adoptive families and special guardians are set to
benefit from additional support after special fund was increased by
£12million – taking the total investment to £149million since 2015.Over 35,000 families have already benefitted from the Adoption Support
Fund, which has provided things like cognitive therapy, play and music
therapy, and family support sessions.This much needed therapeutic
support can help children come to terms with their difficulties –
giving them the confidence to build strong relationships with their new
family.This latest additional funding means that the Adoption Support Fund has
grown every year since its introduction in 2015 – with the £40million
available next year double the original investment of £18million,
underlining the Government’s determination to support adoptive families
as they settle in to their new lives.Education Secretary Damian Hinds said:
Spending quality time with family is one of the most important parts
of Christmas, and adoptive parents, along with foster carers and
kinship carers, provide loving, stable homes so many vulnerable
children and young people.Thousands of families have had their lives transformed by adoption,
but there are still too many children waiting to be adopted.I want
those thinking adoption and existing adoptive parents to know
there is specialist support in place to help families as they adjust
to their new lives together.We have seen how life-changing the fund can be and this extra
funding will continue to support thousands of children who have
experienced trauma and adoptive families as they settle in to their
new homes.Sue Armstrong-Brown Chief Executive of Adoption UK said:
This is fantastic news adoptive parents across England.I’m
pleased that the government heard our recent message, delivered
directly to the Children’s Minister by adoptive parents, that more
support was needed.Adopters told the minister that many had
received life-changing therapeutic support through the Adoption
Support Fund.This support makes all the difference to families parenting some of
the country’s most vulnerable children - in many cases it has been
the one thing that held the family together and prevented the child
returning to care.It’s vital that this support is safeguarded into
the future, and I’m delighted that additional £12million has been
allocated to support adoptive families.Andrew Christie, Chair of the Adoption and Special Guardianship
Leadership Board said:
I am delighted that additional £12million has been put into the
Adoption Support Fund.This will enable thousands more families to
get access to the support they need to ensure that their children
thrive.Adopters and special guardians have told me that access to
therapeutic support helps them understand the impact that trauma,
abuse and neglect has had on their children and how they can provide
them with the support they need.It is making a huge difference to
the lives of thousands of families.Adoption plays a crucial role in providing support some of our most
vulnerable children, alongside Special Guardianship, foster care and
residential care.The new National Stability Forum Children’s
Social Care, which held its second meeting in December, brings together
system leaders to focus on looked after children’s outcomes and sense
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What I Learned Leadership, as a CEO Who Became Adoptive Parent
The parallels between the two roles taught me three great life lessons.Next Article
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What I Learned Leadership, as a CEO Who Became Adoptive Parent
Image credit: Claudiad | Getty Images
Brad Hillier
Brad Hillier
Guest Writer
CEO, Re-Bath
January 7, 2019 8 min read
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.Here's something intriguing I recently learned: The characteristics of
being a CEO and adoptive parent are actually strikingly similar.Both require massive amounts of energy, the ability to balance multiple
priorities and the ability to work well and empathize with others.Related: Coaching and Parenting Have Similar Goals But It's a Big
Mistake to Do Them the Same Way
As a married man and hard-working father of three, I had constantly
juggled balancing my home life with my professional career.As the CEO
of a company which now operates in 150 cities across the country, I
learned long ago that parenting multiple kids can pose quite the
challenge to my ongoing lessons in leadership.Then I upped that challenge: In 2017 my wife and I expanded our family
through adoption, and it was the lessons I learned through that
experience that really set me up leadership success.Image credit: Re-Bath
Alison and I always planned on having four children; however, after
having our third biological child, we decided that we would adopt our
fourth.At a church service, we were reminded of the overwhelming
number of kids that need foster and adoptive parents.In fact, this has
been ongoing, even increasing, issue, with The Economist in 2017
reporting on a shocking number of children -- 428,000 in 2015 -- in
the U.S. foster care system -- up from 397,000 in 2012.Though our biological kids were teenagers at that point, we decided to
begin the parenting process all over again.That process began quite suddenly: We were on our way home from a trip
when our agency called to see if we would look after a 7-year-old girl
the weekend.Faith was in foster care, but not eligible for
adoption.Yet, when they dropped her off, her foster parents told us
that they would not be coming back to pick her up.We were pretty overwhelmed at that moment, but instantly fell in love
with this little girl, who rocked our lives.The Department of Child Services then called to see if we would keep
her and convert our status to foster parents.Faith has been with us
ever since, and after a little over a year of being foster parents, on
Sept. 28, 2017, we became her adoptive parents.We recently celebrated
the one-year anniversary of that watershed event and now can’t imagine
our family without her.Nor can I, as a business owner, imagine not drawing from the lessons
life and leadership that being adoptive dad have taught me:
Build authentic relationships.It’s tempting in the world of business to always think the bottom
line, profits and short-term goals.Yet while these are priorities CEOs
should always keep in mind, parenting and adopting a child taught me
that real long-term success depends on building relationships -- and
that begins with trust.Parents and professional leaders build trust with others by having
honest conversations and following through on their promises.When I
was a foster parent my now-adoptive daughter, I took the time
needed to build a strong foundation a true parent-child
relationship, which doesn't necessarily develop as smoothly as one with
a biological child.Related: 5 Ways to Balance Leadership and Parenthood
This process is similar in many ways to my responsibilities as a CEO.For example, when I reached out to a successful franchisee trying to
convince him to expand to a second city, he turned me down flat.In
hindsight, I believe this happened because our relationship
wasn't strong enough me to make that ask.So, I set out to fix things.And, after a few months of intentionally
working on the relationship, I saw the franchisee expand to that second
city and plan to expand into a third.As a result of those expansions,
his business has grown to over $10 million a year.We've both benefited
from the trust I built with this man.The lesson?Taking the time to earn each other’s trust allowed this
franchisee to take a risk and plan future growth.If you work to
build trust relationships with your colleagues and your clients just as
you do with your children -- especially adopted child coming into a
family she hardly knows -- you will strengthen the core of your
business.Develop empathy.Running a multi-million-dollar company as well as raising children,
I’ve learned that both roles require innate ability to empathize.In
my early years, I was so driven and focused on getting to the next
level that I wasn’t always connecting with people.And that had to change.The reason is that creating empathy in a
company’s culture can drive the whole team toward success.In 2016, The
Harvard Business Review evaluated a variety of brands to investigate
whether or not creating empathetic culture in the workforce results
in overall success the company.The study recognized a number of programs each company had created to
instill empathy, and found that those programs increased overall
productivity and success their respective brands.From Ryanair’s
“Always Getting Better” program, launched in 2014, to ’s
creation of “Empathy Lab,” all of these brands saw positive results
from pushing their companies' culture in a more empathetic direction.Empathy is essential trait of a good leader, but it was something
that I developed by being adoptive father.Our daughter has
biological siblings.In many adoptions like ours, a variety of
reasons, the biggest one being safety, there is no communication after
the adoption with the biological parents or the siblings.However, at
times Faith really misses her younger brothers who are with a set of
parents she has known since birth.After deep consideration, we wrote
that family’s phone number into her Bible and she has the freedom to
call them when she wants.That decision to allow our daughter to keep in contact with her younger
brother was important one.Seeing the world through her eyes, our
family knew that our daughter had experiences and made relationships
with people before becoming a part of our own family.Allowing our
daughter to keep in contact with her brother was a way of respecting
that.The lesson?Just as a good parent is one who can see the world through
his or her children’s eyes, executives need to lead their businesses by
first putting themselves in their clients’ and team’s shoes.Model the behavior you seek.The act of coaching, nurturing and being a role model are essential
qualities of a parent and a strong leader.When our family welcomed our daughter into our home, we sought to
provide environment that would help her grow into a well-rounded
individual.When Faith arrived, she had missed 51 days of kindergarten
and 35 days of first grade, and had never done any homework.This is
common in the foster care system: A study by the University of
Wisconsin-Madison found that the children the researchers examined who
were in out-of-home placements consistently struggled with academics
more than children in stable living situations.Fortunately us, we had, and have, three other kids who are all good
students and used to coming home from school and sitting at our kitchen
table to get their homework done.Seeing that behavior modeled allowed
our new daughter to see the effort that goes into being a good student.After one year of sitting at the kitchen table with her new brothers
and sister, all working on homework together, Faith scored ahead of the
curve math.I’ll never forget the look of pride on her face when
she realized that her hard work had paid off and she was back on par
with her classmates.The lesson?The best leaders understand the importance of role-modeling
and know that supporting their team members shouldn't all be about
lecturing, but rather coaching and providing guidance.In my business, I know that my behavior and work ethic are the model
set my whole team.When I set myself to a high standard, the
culture throughout the company is also set to that same standard of
self-drive and improvement.Overall, there are times when leaders are presented with opportunity
to make a difference, execute a new program or create a new
relationship.They should embrace these opportunities with a mindset
that says they can open new pathways to success.Related: 15 Tips Instilling Leadership Skills in Children
Being a CEO and adoptive parent are both challenging endeavors.The
parallels between the two have taught me great life lessons.I know
that every day is opportunity to learn something new, build a
stronger relationship and help someone achieve their dreams.More from Entrepreneur
Kathleen, Founder and CEO of Grayce & Co, a media and marketing
consultancy, can help you develop a brand strategy, build marketing
campaigns and learn how to balance work and life.Book Your Session
a limited time only, get this bundle of Entrepreneur Press® titles
less than $30 (60% OFF) on our bookstore when you use "LEAP" at
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and we'll send you another email.(AP) - Jean Lubinsky never knew her biological
father, but Bob Dube married her mom and became her dad when she
was 5 years old.He used to walk her to elementary school.They went fishing
together.When she was a teenager, he taught her how to drive.Even after Dube and Lubinsky's mother divorced, the two of them
remained close.He was there when she got married.She told him she was pregnant on
one of their fishing trips.He was there the birth of her first
child.Decades later, when Lubinsky learned adult adoption, she was
surprised how much this idea meant to her.She asked Dube what he
thought.He started calling lawyers the next day."A lot of people would say why bother or what's the point, but he's
the only father figure I've ever known," Lubinsky says."This is a
validation to the world that he's my father, not just the father in
my heart.Put that seal on it, damn it - he's my father."Lubinsky, 45, still lives in Blackstone, where her husband has his
own machine shop.Dube, 67, remarried and retired to Bradenton,
Florida, four years ago.When they arranged her adoption through A Bond of Love, a Sarasota,
Florida, agency, they were offered court dates of Dec. 17 or Jan.
15."We both said it'd be great if it was in December," Lubinsky says."What a Christmas present."For the last 27 years, A Bond of Love has thrown a Christmas party
in Sarasota its adoptive parents and their children.In Bradenton, Bob Dube tells the jump rope story.On the phone from
Blackstone, Lubinsky tells the jump rope story.It goes like this.When Dube and her mom went on their first date, in 1977, Jean went
to a babysitter's house.On their way home from the date, they
picked her up in his car.When Jean got out of the car, she noticed
that she had left her jump rope in the back seat."I knew I should take it with me," she says."If I didn't, I might
not see it again.But I quickly made the decision to leave it on
the seat.I was hoping he'd bring it back to me."He did bring back her jump rope.He wound up marrying her mom.He
became her dad.Lubinsky remembers looking a new apartment just before
Christmas in 1978.Dube remembers that, too."We got a tree and set up the decorations before we even moved in
our stuff," he says."This was two weeks before Christmas."For more than 30 years, Dube worked in maintenance at a hospital in
Woonsocket, Rhode Island.To make extra money, he would clean
doctor's offices in the evening.When Jean got older, she would work part-time, too.If they
finished cleaning early, they would go fishing in a reservoir next
to the office park."We did a lot of things together," Dube says."I taught her to
drive on my pickup truck."Dube and his wife, Diane, live in Golf Lakes Estates, upscale
mobile home park in Bradenton.She plays cards.He plays pickle ball.On their living room wall, Diane has photos of her children and
grandchildren.Dube has a wedding photo of his stepdaughter.He says he never liked the word "stepfather," much less
ex-stepfather, after he and her mom got divorced."Legally," he says, "I found out she wasn't even my stepdaughter
anymore."More than 20 years later, when she asked him adoption, Dube
liked the idea, too.Finally, on Dec. 17, Lubinsky made a conference call to the Manatee
County Courthouse, where Dube stood before a judge.A notary swore
everyone in.Papers were signed, and that was that.Five days later, Dube and his wife flew to Massachusetts to spend
the Christmas holidays with Lubinsky and her husband, Kevin."This is the first time we stay with them," Dube said before the
trip."We'll be even closer."For Lubinsky, the adoption process has been one emotional moment
after another.Months ago, when she gave her mother the news, she
wasn't sure what to expect
"When I told her, she burst into tears," Lubinsky says."She said,
'I'm so happy you guys.'"
She thinks the first time she ever read adult adoption was in
a newspaper article.She hopes her story might inspire others who
want to recognize their adoptive parents."It's never too late," Lubinsky says."I might be 45, and he might
be in his late 60s, but it turns out that it doesn't matter.That's
pretty cool to find out."
Online:
Information from: Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, Mass.),
http://www.telegram.com
Copyright 2019 The Associated Press.All rights reserved.This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.Next Up:
Headline Goes Here
Adult adoption brings family closer during holidays
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4 Siblings Embrace New Brother After Family Adopts Him From Colombian
Orphanage
Inspirational
3:09 PM PST, December 17, 2018 - JOHANNA LI
4 Siblings Embrace New Brother After Family Adopts Him From Colombian
Orphanage
Inspirational
3:09 PM PST, December 17, 2018 - JOHANNA LI
Playing 11-Year-Old Orphan Hugs Adoptive California Family in Emotional
Reunion
Now Playing
hh:mm:ss
Four siblings embraced their newest adopted brother in a tight hug as
they prepare to take him to his forever home in California.Sebastian, 11, once orphan growing up in Colombia, is now preparing
to spend the holidays as a new member of the Barkey family despite
having no clue he would be adopted at all until after it was all
finalized.Sebastian spent the summer with JoBen and Amanda Barkey and their three
sons and daughter, Asher, Judah, Jameis and Mishayla, as a part of a
hosting program.“It was bittersweet him,” said JoBen, in interview with T&T
Creative Media.“He has always wanted to live in a home with a family
that had a lot of boys and a sister.We were his dream family come
true."According to Colombian law, the Barkey family was not allowed to tell
Sebastian they intended on adopting him while they were hosting him.“When he left, flight crew had to peel his hands off the entrance of
the plane,” he said.“It's been really hard being separated and always
thinking him and wishing we could be there to give him a kiss and
tuck him in at night.”
But when they got the approval and worked on securing his immigration
visa, the Barkeys broke the news to Sebastian and his reaction,
captured on video, went viral.“He could barely believe what he was seeing and hearing because he had
accepted the fact that our family was too big to ever adopt another
child,” JoBen said.“He was overcome with surprise and happiness at the
same time.”
The family originally told Sebastian they wouldn't be able to collect
him until February since they were unsure how long the adoption process
might take, but surprised him earlier this month, just in time to take
him home the holidays.“The moment we saw him, a flood of emotions came over all of us as we
knew that we were together forever,” JoBen said.RELATED STORIES
High School Sweethearts Marry After Finding Biological Son Put Up for
Adoption Nearly 40 Years Ago
Parents of Texas High School's Quarterback 'Adopt' Running Back
Couple 'Adopts' Veteran, 93, After Town of Paradise Burns to the Ground
Meet the Couple Who Adopted 6 Blind Children
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A woman's adoption business may have been fake — as well as a baby she
promised two families
Contracts show same baby promised to 2 families
Posted: 1:58 PM, Dec 11, 2018
Updated: 2018-12-12 15:49:55Z
By: Heather Catallo
MACOMB COUNTY, Michigan — Ever since WXYZ television station did a
segment a mother who says she’s adoption worker , but she
isn’t licensed by the state of Michigan, families have been calling,
emailing and reaching out on social media to share their heartbreaking
stories.Now we've obtained new documents that show the same baby was promised
to more than one family; both families paid thousands of dollars for
the alleged adoption "services."One of those families is the Markley family.Stacey Markley says she’s
having a really tough week: the baby boy that her family was supposed
to adopt was allegedly due on Sunday.But now she doesn’t even know if
that baby ever existed, and she wants some answers.Tara Lynn Lee promotes herself online as adoption worker.But the
37-year-old from New Haven, Mich. is not a licensed adoption worker in
Michigan and state officials tell us the companies and nonprofits she’s
associated with are not licensed either.Lee’s home was raided by the FBI in November .Several sources close to the investigation say Lee is under scrutiny
allegedly promising the same baby to more than one potential
adoptive family at a time.“We were so prepared this baby, everybody was excited us.And
then just to turn around and have nothing, to this day it’s still hard
me,” said Markley from her home in Ohio.Markley says she and her husband hired Lee to help them adopt a baby
boy.She says based on the contract they signed, they were paying Lee
to care the birth mother who had “matched” with them.Now Markley
isn’t sure if there ever was actual birth mom or a baby.“It’s heartbreaking because I’m surrounded by all this baby stuff and
it doesn’t have owner,” Markley said.Markley says Lee’s stories the birth mother never added up.“It was constant, the two months that we were matched with her, it
was – ‘oh, we didn’t meet up, she canceled, I canceled – I had to go
deliver a baby.’ So it’s like we never got word of how anything was
going,” Markley said.Markley says Lee had them sign a contract, and they handed over $17,000
when they “matched” with the birth mother.But when they asked for
additional proof of pregnancy, Markley says, they didn’t get it.“I knew in my heart that day that that was going to be the end of it
— we weren’t going to be going forward with this, and we weren’t going
to be matched anymore.I called my mom crying that day,” she said.She says after a lot of fighting they eventually got $12,000
back.Lee’s paperwork shows she kept $4824.75 expenses.Lee’s contract from July states that “TL Pregnancy Services is a
licensed counseling and adoption education center," but state licensing
officials confirm Lee is not a licensed counselor.After Markley spoke to WXYZ, we discovered what appears to be a second
contract another couple in a different state.The contracts are
dated two weeks apart: both promising a baby born 12/9/18 from what
appears to be the same birth mother named “Tracy.”
Meanwhile, Lee’s attorney says she has been cooperating with the FBI
probe.“I do know that the government is investigating, and that’s their job,
and they could do their due process and do their due diligence, but as
it stands today we have heard nothing.To the extent that they’ve asked
us information, she’s been in full compliance,” said Sanford
Schulman.Schulman also told WXYZ in email that, “Always Hope has never
claimed to be a licensed agency and this is explicitly noted in every
contract.Always Hope provides support expectant mothers who choose
adoption.Every stage was overseen by qualified attorneys who could be
consulted throughout the process.”
But when WXYZ pointed out that the contract was with TL Pregnancy
Services that claimed to be licensed, Schulman seemed unaware of the
claims Lee made in her contract.There is no record of a company called
TL Pregnancy Services with the state of Michigan.As we reported last week , state records show, prior to 2016, Lee ran
something called Always Hope Pregnancy Center LLC.Lee is also
connected to the Always Hope Pregnancy and Education Center Inc. in
Jacksonville, Florida.Lee is listed as a director on a nonprofit called Always Hope Adoption
and Family Services, Inc. in Sterling Heights, Michigan.State
officials tell us that organization and Lee are both now under
investigation by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services,
and neither is licensed to handle adoptions.The FBI investigation is still underway into Lee.If you know more
this adoption probe, please contact Heather Catallo at
248-827-4473 or at hcatallo@wxyz.com
Copyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved.This material
may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.Why we redesigned the website
Social
Scripps TV Station Group
© 2019 The E.W.Scripps Co
Robin Worley encourages her children to remember that
they are “ambassadors good and God.” (Courtesy of the Worley
family)
The Worley family, from left: Noah, Billy, Robin, Heidi, Teagan and
Michah Worley.Robin Worley encourages her children to remember that
they are “ambassadors good and God.” (Courtesy of the Worley
family)
Episode 77: Adoption connects Tennessee family with Catholic sisters in China
by National Catholic Reporter
IFRAME:
tracks%2F548345763&showartwork=true&maxheight=166&maxwidth=640
The Worleys of Tennessee adopted Teagan in March when she was 5.Desperate to find out more information her early years, they
stumbled across a Global Sisters Report article sisters in China
who care orphans with disabilities — and found some of the answers
they were looking for.On the show today:
Background reading:
church grounds in a rural region outside of Beijing, abandoned
babies with severe disabilities started showing up on the doorstep.One such abandoned baby was Teagan, or Tian Xin Yue.The sisters'
care today encompasses three centers, known as the Liming Family,
children and young adults who receive therapy, education, and a
raise Teagan and later connected with Billy and Robin, sharing
Lidman reports how Billy and Robin Worley found Sr. Ma Suling and
learned more Teagan's infancy.Support independent Catholic journalism.Become NCR Forward member
$5 a month.How do I listen?We can let you know when new podcast episodes are published.Sign up
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"Children who are part of a sibling group always wait longer their
adoptive family to be found, than single children would."Staff Reporter
Email
Published: 11:32 Updated: 11:38 Monday 07 January 2019
Share this article
Promoted by Caritas Care
Adoption charity launches New Year campaign to keep brothers and sisters
together in new forever homes.An adoption agency has launched urgent appeal to help sibling groups
in Preston and the surrounding area find parents.In the north west a staggering 64 per cent of children waiting for
adoption are part of a sibling group.While the idea of taking on
multiple children can initially seem overwhelming to potential
adopters, keeping siblings together as much as possible is crucial,
says Caritas Care, independent adoption agency more than 80
years.Adoption practice manager, Patricia Hurst said: “Children who are part
of a sibling group always wait longer their adoptive family to be
found, than single children would.If you feel you can consider giving
a home and family to a sibling group please talk to us.There are many
benefits adopters in parenting sibling groups – staying together
means that they have unbroken bond which can increase their
resilience as they face the future together; staying together means
that they have a shared history and can support each other to
understand their situation.Siblings staying together is twice the fun
adoptive parents!“If a family cannot be found brothers and sisters they may have to
be split up – if you have a close bond with your siblings you can
imagine how difficult this would be.”
Siblings placed together adoption are often the only people in
their world who can really understand each other and their shared
story.Patricia added: “The bond between siblings is incredibly important, and
we’d encourage you to consider the joys and the privilege of welcoming
them into your home.”
You can read Dear Adopter stories here from families who talk of their
experiences of adopting siblings and the wonderful relationships that
have developed along the way.Caritas Care – which is rated ‘outstanding’ in all areas its
adoption service – supports all involved in adoption throughout the
process and beyond.It is committed to being honest with adopters and
prospective adopters at every stage, including discussing the
challenges that adopters may sometimes experience.Confidential Live Chat available Monday to Friday 11am to 3pm and late
night Wed to 7-8pm through the website.For more information call 0800 652 6955, email info@caritascare.org.uk
or visit
Caritas Care offers a number of routes to become adoptive parent and
is interested in talking to people who are interested in adopting.Adoption experts at Caritas Care are also continually looking for
families babies, single children, older children, children from
differing ethnic backgrounds and children with additional needs.Trending
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which was expected to last weeks.Jason Dalton pleads guilty in Kalamazoo shooting spree that killed 6,
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Aretha Franklin through the years
Family finds fulfillment in adoption, and you can too
Posted: Dec 21 2018 06:32PM EST
Video Posted: Dec 21 2018 06:30PM EST
photo
photo
(FOX 2) - Hundreds of kids woke up this morning with no place to call a
permanent home, but not a few special kids in the Beyer household."I have realized how beautiful life can be, even with a set of family
that's not your birth family," said Alicia Beyers.Her two boys, 3-year-old Gavin and 18-month-old Harrison, were once in
foster care.Alicia was determined to adopt a child.Her own loss when
she was 19 fueled the decision."About 10 years ago my parents were killed by a drunk driver and then,
my family was destroyed.I had a very unexpected family step in," she
said.Even at 19, Alicia needed family and she got one.She was taken under
the wing of a family who still to this day are like grandparents to her
own children.Stephen wasn't convinced that they were ready to adopt, then he went to
a Judson Center meeting.They help families foster and adopt kids who
need it."There was a McDonald's across the street and we were in line and she
was ordering, and she looked over at me and she said, 'So what do you
want?'and I said, 'Let's adopt that boy," Stephen said.They already have their own two children, but the social worker and
Stephen, a nurse, decided to adopt not one, but two boys."Actually the day we adopted him our adoption worker asked us if we
wanted to take another little guy, and that's Harrison so he's a year
younger," Alicia said.Three hundred children right now are waiting a foster home in
Michigan.The Judson Center hope that other families who see this think
how easy and fufilling it is.Addison Sweany with the Judson Center said adoptions vary depending on
the county, but there are times where families are eligible to have
fees rembursed."There are times where there are no costs at all to adopt a child," she
said.The Beyers are going to have a very Merry Christmas -- four times over.All Rights Reserved.
Can you identify the suspect in this surveillance footage?By:
Posted: Dec 28, 2018 12:43 PM EST
Updated: Dec 28, 2018 12:43 PM EST
What better gift the holidays than family adoption?Invisible placeholder
AdoptionSurprise020181228173927
Adoption Surprise Video
AdoptionSurprise020181228173927
IFRAME:
1y7KTtvUN63MWAc&q=,
One more reason to save the best gift last...
11-year-old Carter Wyles is to get the Christmas surprise of a
lifetime."This is you.This is from all of us.OK?All of us."That's his
aunt, Leah Kiphart, offering him a final gift to unwrap on Christmas
morning.Inside; a family photo of the Kipharts, showing Carter's aunt, uncle,
and cousins, as well as a very special letter."Carter, this is our most recent picture of our family.All of us would
love you to be in the next picture and to be part of our family.Carter, would you like to be a Kiphart and be our son and brother?We
love you.""Haha, what do you think, buddy?"Carter nodded."We're gonna adopt you, Carter.""I want to thank you so much."His aunt tells us Carter's adoption status was nearing deadline, about
to change, so someone outside the family would be able to adopt him."This might have been the last time that we were ever going to see
Carter, and felt that it was really important us to keep him in the
family... A lot of people talk how lucky he is.We are just as
fortunate to have him join our family."And, Carter says, "For me, it was really emotional...It makes me feel
good that other people can enjoy, like, my happiness and my family's
happiness".For more information on adopting locally, here.Copyright 2019 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved.This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.More Stories
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The end of skin cancer?An organization called "both hands" does just that.families fund their
adoptions by coordinating a service project fixing up a widow's home.Its a national organization with projects all over the country----even
right here in savannah.Adam and Amanda Huggins launched their fundraising efforts a
month ago.They always knew they wanted to adopt but they didn't think
the process would look quite like this.The Huggins family first met Artem in 2016 through orphan hosting
program and they knew right away that they wanted to give him a forever
home, but they knew it would cost more than they could ever afford."For me it is just the uncertainty of everything just not knowing you
know what really how it is going to play out you know we are still not
a 100 percent sure that you know we are going to be able to adopt him
um or that all this is going to work out," said Huggins.Despite that uncertainty---the Huggins are happy--that through their
fundraising efforts they're making a difference in someone else's life;
that someone is Mary Reaves."I was so happy, so happy and i am telling you its just a blessing i
was always said i was going to fix my little house up and make it my
dream house," said Reaves.The Huggins and their group of volunteers finished the improvements on
Reaves's house this past weekend.here's what they did."We are painting the exterior re-doing the dry wall in her bedroom uh
fixing up the vanity and doing a couple other things around the house,"
said Amanda Huggins.After the family does the first project---both hands takes over the
rest.The Huggins are hoping to have the adoption finalized by this
summer.The Huggins still have a long road ahead of them to bring Artem, a boy
from Ukraine, home.Artem will be in the states Christmas, but the
Huggins will be visiting Ukraine at least three times to finalize the
adoption.They have raised nearly $3,000 of their $30,000 fundraising goal.To
help donate to their fundraiser, or to learn more volunteering
with Both Hands, visit here.Continue Reading
Copyright 2019 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved.This
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Karrissa Cox and Richard Carter Image caption Karrissa Cox and Richard
Carter challenged a family court ruling
A couple forced to give their baby up adoption, even after being
cleared of abuse, did not suffer a miscarriage of justice, a judge has
ruled.Karrissa Cox and Richard Carter, from Guildford, had challenged a
family court ruling that criticised them and backed the baby's
adoption.They claimed they had been treated as "guilty until proven innocent".However, Judge Sir James Munby said their child had been the victim of
"really serious" abuse and "cruelty".Ms Cox and Mr Carter lodged a legal challenge in 2015, vowing to clear
their names.But after reviewing the evidence of that hearing, Sir James said the
family court "process" overseen by Judge Peter Nathan had been
vindicated and neither the parents, nor their child, had suffered a
miscarriage of justice.The baby, who cannot be identified, was taken away from Ms Cox and Mr
Carter, a former soldier, who served in Afghanistan, in 2012 when it
was just six weeks old.Image copyright Google Image caption The judge backed Surrey County
Council's intervention, which resulted in the baby being adopted
The couple were charged with child cruelty after hospital staff found a
number of bruises and what appeared to be bone fractures.But they were acquitted on the direction of the judge at Guildford
Crown Court after expert witness said he could not be sure the
X-rays showed fractures.The baby was subsequently adopted and the parents - who have since
separated - dropped their demand to have the child back during the
course of Sir James's review.In his ruling, Sir James, former president of the Family Division of
the High Court, backed the judge who had overseen the earlier hearing.He said the couple carried a "high measure of responsibility" for
"serious parental failures".Sir James said that during the first few weeks of its life, the child
had suffered "extraordinary constellation" of "inflicted injuries
which there is no innocent explanation".In his ruling, he said the "constellation of marks and bruises... were
inflicted by one or other or both of the birth parents... using
unreasonable force".Mr Carter did not attend and was not represented at court the
judgement.Ms Cox's barrister has not responded to BBC approaches for
comment.Related Topics
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LOOKING LOVE: A rescued guinea pig, held by RSPCA Qld spkesperson
Micahel Beatty.Rob Williams
News
Hundreds of pets seek new homes at RSPCA Pop Up Adoption
by Ashleigh Howarth
8th Jan 2019 12:11 AM
IF YOU are looking to expand your family with a "fur baby", head down
to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre the fifth annual
RSPCA Pop Up Adoption event this weekend.Hundreds of animals that have been surrendered, dumped or rescued
across the state will be available adoption under one roof this
Saturday.There will be plenty of playful puppies and curious kittens who will be
waiting to meet you.For the first time, a number of guinea pigs will also be up for
adoption on the day.Many of the guinea pigs were rescued from a Brisbane property in
October by RSPCA inspectors, where they were allegedly kept in a garage
commercial breeding purposes.While some of the furry creatures have already found good homes, RSPCA
staff are hoping the remaining guinea pigs will find love with new
families, especially ones with kids.All animals up adoption have been desexed and micro-chipped.Chester is available adoption at the Wacol RSPCA.Pictured with
RSPCA Wacol animal attendant Dani Oatway
Chester is available adoption at the Wacol RSPCA.Pictured with
RSPCA Wacol animal attendant Dani Oatway Rob Williams
Last year's Pop Up Adoption was labelled a "huge success" by RSPCA Qld
spokesperson Michael Beatty, with 432 animals being rehomed and more
than 8500 people walking through the doors."It was exhilarating and so encouraging.Everyone was over the moon."He is hoping momentum will grow this year and break the record which
was set last year."Animals currently in foster care will also be coming," Mr Beatty said."The day will also be very family orientated.We will have information
pet owners and pet items available purchase, as well as
displays by RSPCA Reptile adoptions, the foster team and School for
Dogs."It will be a great day out all and we can't wait to see you there
and help you find your forever pet."While no other animals are permitted in the Convention Centre, Mr
Beatty said adoption staff would be able to provide people with
resources to help introduce their pet to their new adopted animal.You can also pre-register your details adoption online now at
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Pets of the week
Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle
Published 8:18 AM EST Jan 7, 2019
Dogs and cats of all ages, breeds and sizes are available through area
animal rescues and shelters, as are opportunities to help homeless
animals through foster programs, donations and help with fundraisers
and other family-friendly activities.Contact a rescue near you to
learn more.Montgomery County Animal Care and Control
Belle is a beautiful brindle 4-year-old, spayed-female, hound mix who
was previously adopted.She knows how to sit when asked and gets along
great with children and cats.Belle is affectionate, has lots of
energy, and would be a lap baby if she could.[8fd27220-4ec5-418d-aa49-85f47c42b698-BBellemcacccmyk.jpg?width=1080
&quality=50]
Belle
Submitted
Lilith is a young, female domestic short hair with a beautiful buff
coat.She is playful and loves people.[15879f0c-d98f-47bb-a9ed-1824418e8ac0-BLilithmcacccmyk.jpg?width=108
0&quality=50]
Lilith
Submitted
Find them at Montgomery County Animal Care and Control, 616 N. Spring
[747efbb9-469a-403b-9c85-47a02da53097-BBabyhscmccmyk.jpg?width=1080&
quality=50]
Baby
Submitted
Baby is a 6-year-old, spayed-female tuxedo cat.She is house trained
and gets along great with children, dogs and other cats.Baby is a
sweet and loving kitty but is a little shy at first.Once she warms up,
she wants to sit in your lap and likes to sleep next to you.She is not
very playful but loves attention.Find her through the Humane Society
of Clarksville-Montgomery County, 931-648-8042,
[16882166-c578-4741-9b5a-9d5e16d1c15e-BJeevescrucmyk.JPG?width=1080&
quality=50]
Jeeves
Submitted
Jeeves is a 6-month-old, male, domestic short-haired kitten.He is
playful and exploratory, and is said to like dogs.Jeeves hopes his new
year starts with a new home.He is fully vetted and litter box
trained.Find him at Petsmart through Cats Are Us, 931-503-0053,
[1fa8ead9-57f0-4bd4-b26f-372eac3d2800-BBamadhscmyk.jpg?width=1080&qu
ality=50]
Bama
Submitted
Bama is a 2-year-old, 30-pound, neutered-male, German shepherd mix.He
is fully vetted and house trained.Bama is a precious little boy who
prefers a home without children since they make him nervous.Find him
through the Humane Society of Dover-Stewart County, 931-305-8212,
[1d44ecf6-774f-4e8e-a740-21ce8a1ec5a1-BCoreyscffarcmyk.jpg?width=108
0&quality=50]
Corey
Submitted
Corey is a 3-year-old, neutered-male pit bull terrier mix with a
beautiful brindle coat.He is fully vetted, house and crate trained.Corey loves to play and cuddle with his humans.He will follow you
around and stick by your side if you will let him.He gets along well
with children, other dogs and cats.Corey is a dominant male and would
do best as the only male dog in the house.He loves to run outside and
loves to sit by your feet at night and keep you warm.Find him through
Stewart County Faithful Friends Animal Rescue, 931-627-1459,
[441e14d1-bdef-4b4a-bc8a-79f27d97617f-BJugheadcprmtcmyk.jpg?width=10
80&quality=50]
Jughead
Submitted
Jughead is a handsome, 2-year-old, neutered-male husky mix.He is fully
vetted and gets along great with other dogs, cats and children.Jughead
is a well-behaved young boy who knows basic commands.He will make a
wonderful companion or family pet.Find him through Companion Pet
Rescue of Middle Tennessee, 615-260-8473,
ts/.Pets Are Worth Saving
[96b78ee3-7db0-4d68-847d-cebeeca362c3-BReilypawscmyk.jpg?width=1080&
quality=50]
Reily
Submitted
Reily is a beautiful, 2½-year-old, spayed-female boxer mix.She is
house and crate trained and walks well on a leash.Reily is a sweet,
funny girl, full of love and energy.She loves to run, play fetch and
get her belly rubbed.She is a smart girl who learns quickly and
listens well.She is good with kids but would do best with older
children due to her size.Reily loves attention and would do best with
someone who is home a lot.Find her through PAWS-TN,
[d765fa47-3efb-4bab-a232-7d281ed94cfc-BZoeytlcdrcmyk.jpg?width=1080&
quality=50]
Zoey
Submitted
Zoey is adorable, 1-year-old, spayed-female, Yorkshire/Jack Russell
terrier mix.She is fully vetted, house and crate trained, and has a
microchip.Zoey gets along great with other dogs, cats and children.She is a very loving and affectionate little girl.Find her through Two
Ladies Caring Dog Rescue, 931-217-1587,
[d5f4d7dc-3a3d-48dd-93df-441e453b97a8-BBastetpfpracmyk.jpg?width=108
0&quality=50]
Bastet
Submitted
Bastet is 2-year-old, female, domestic short hair with exceptionally
beautiful coat.She is fully vetted and litter box trained.Bastet gets
along great with dogs, other cats, and children.Her adoption fee is
being sponsored.Find her through Precious Friends Puppy Rescue and
[ac58ef9a-277d-4727-8783-c83f612c7ad8-BNataliasbbfcmyk.jpg?width=108
0&quality=50]
Natalia
Submitted
Natalia is a 6-month-old, spayed-female pit bull terrier who was
previously adopted and returned due to lack of time to care her.She is fully vetted and house trained.Natalia gets along great with
other dogs and would be best with older children.She is a happy,
sweet and high-energy girl who needs some work on her manners.Find her
through Sagley’s Biker Bully Farm, 785-207-5641,
Terms of Service Privacy Notice
© Copyright Gannett 2018
Friday, the Fanham family officially welcomed their newest addition,
adopting Samuel at the court house.They said they have been foster parents the last two-and-a-half
years and decided to adopt.They also had words of encouragement anyone considering going
through the adoption process.“It’s hard, it really is, but it’s so worth it,” says Megan Farnham.“He’s brought so much happiness and joy in our lives, it’s so worth
it.”
The family says they have taken care of Samuel since he was two days
old.Grab the FREE WDTN News App iPhone or Android.Stay up to date with
all the local news, weather and sports as well as live newscasts and
events as they happen.Like us on and follow us on all the latest news,
weather and sports.Continue Reading
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Pregnancy adoption hoax leaves family devastated
By Jo Abi| 4 weeks ago
A couple has suffered a devastating loss after claiming to have become
the victims of a 'pregnancy hoax'.Matt and Laura Trayte from Southern Carolina in the US say they had
planned to adopt the baby of a woman named Elizabeth Jones, 34, whom
they named Noella.While the couple already had a child -- a son named Hudson -- they had
struggled to conceive a second, enduring two miscarriages and two
rounds of IVF over three year.That's when they decided to turn to adoption.In the latest episode of Honey Mums, Radio host Sarah McGilvray chats
to Deb Knight wrangling her workmates like they are kids.(Article continues.)IFRAME:
The Traytes started a GoFundMe page called 'A Sibling Hudson' to
help with the process.The couple says when they arrived at the hospital to meet their
daughter, there was no baby and doctors told them Elizabeth Jones
had presented, but was treated back pain.Following the discovery, Laura says she received a text from Elizabeth
claiming she had "lost the baby to weeks ago" and hadn't told the
couple because she was "scared".However, following this exchange, Elizabeth allegedly sent a message
via to Southern Californian News Group saying the baby is
actually alive and she may still consider allowing the couple to adopt
it.Related
[http%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F%2Fmedia%2Fnetwork%2Fimages%2F2018
%2F07%2F13%2F17%2F24%2Flauren-final-land.jpg]
Birth mum gives baby to couple who tried 18 years to start a family
[http%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F08%2F02%2F11%2F3
3%2Faugust-2-2018-honey-deb-and-hugh-tshirts.png]
Deborra-lee Furness shares exciting adoption news: 'It took years'
[http%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F08%2F07%2F11%2F5
4%2F180807carrie.jpg]
Country singer Carrie Underwood draws ire with comment fertility
[http%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F08%2F14%2F16%2F5
9%2Fadoptland.jpg]
Deborra-lee Furness on making adoption easier: 'We have to support
children'
"I was never trying to be cruel or mean ever," she allegedly wrote."You have no idea what I have been through in my life and never will."The woman has so far failed to show evidence the baby ever existed.[http%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F12%2F11%2F06%2F5
8%2FAdoption-family-heartbreak.png] The couple say they have been left
devastated.(GoFundMe)
Matt Trayte, 40, says it has been a case of "pure psychological
torture", also describing it as "emotional crime".The couple had spent $16,000 through adoption agency but when the
case fell through, they found Elizabeth and thought their dream to
expand their family was to come true.That's when they set up the GoFundMe page aimed at finding a birth
mother.Elizabeth contacted them, saying she was pregnant with her third child
but she and her husband couldn't support it.The Traytes thought she was genuine because she didn't ask money,
and claim they turned down two other birth mothers when they found
Elizabeth.Laura even flew to Virgina to meet Elizabeth, the women posing for
pictures together, visiting a lawyer to sign a Durable Power of
Attorney.There were signs something wasn't right, when Elizabeth send the couple
three ultrasound photos showing dates from 2012.Also during Laura's
visit to Virginia, she was supposed to attend appointment with
Elizabeth, however the mum claimed it had been rescheduled.[http%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F12%2F11%2F07%2F3
4%2FHONEY-ADOPTION-FAMILY-ANOTHER-PIC.png] The couple found the woman
online.(GoFundMe)
Elizabeth had told the couple she was due to be induced on November 29
at 9.30am, however they then received a message saying she'd gone into
labour early.She then texted the couple a change in location the birth and
sent a photo of bloody blankets.They rang Elizabeth who seemed to be breathless and in labour and
attempted to coach her over the phone.They then received a message from the woman saying, "I'm sorry I have
to push her out.I can't keep her any longer.Yes yes yes.Her head is
out.I gotta push again."Followed by, "Oh my god we have a baby omg.""I went from coaching her though the labour on the phone as we drove to
the hospital to meeting her standing in the NICU surrounded by nurses
waiting a baby that would never come, in one morning," Laura wrote
on her GoFundMe page."She stared at me with dead eyes," she continued."There was no
remorse."Laura said they are "devastated and broken" and have been left "trying
to explain to our six year old why he doesn't have the sister he
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How adoption brought joy to these families
By Maddison Leach| 2 weeks ago
Chloe Finley was just nine when she joined the approximately 50
thousand children in the Australian foster system, but now at 19 she’s
found a loving family of her own.“It’s like I have a second life,” she told A Current Affair, “I feel
like a completely different person.”
Chole recalls the night police rescued her from her Sydney home: “It
was just scary; it wasn’t like going a sleepover, my whole life
would be different.”
Her life was changed forever that night, and she spent a couple of
years bouncing from one family to the next, moving through seven
different foster carers.[http%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F12%2F24%2F14%2F3
0%2FACA3.jpg] Chloe with mum Alex, celebrating Christmas as a family.(Nine)
The constant moving, the lack of stability and the feeling of
disconnection left Chloe with constant questions why she couldn’t
stay.“Is it me?Am I not good enough?” she would wonder.But everything changed when she met Alex, who would go on to adopt her
at 18.“I knew from that moment that I was going to stay,” Chloe said, “I
wanted to stay – I didn’t want to leave.”
Related
[http%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F%2Fmedia%2Fnetwork%2Fimages%2F2018
%2F12%2F20%2F23%2F23%2F2012honadultskids3.jpg]
Adults are sharing the dumbest thing they did as kids
[http%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F12%2F20%2F19%2F5
2%2Fjett-with-mum-anna.png]
Boy loses eyesight two days before Christmas
[http%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F%2Fmedia%2Fnetwork%2Fimages%2F2018
%2F12%2F21%2F10%2F08%2Fkateaircadetland.jpg]
Kate's 'very special' hand-signed Christmas card
[http%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F%2Fmedia%2Fnetwork%2Fimages%2F2018
%2F12%2F21%2F09%2F45%2Fbaby-thumb.jpg]
Mother-in-law’s delivery room ultimatum backfires
The feeling was mutual.“It just sort of felt perfect,” Alex said of meeting her adopted
daughter.It took almost eight years, but Alex finally adopted Chloe on her 18^th
birthday, after spending years together becoming their own happy little
family.Now Chloe has finished her HSC and is to start her career in
child care, and hopes to offer just as much love as her mum has shown
her.“A person’s love can be so strong – that just what someone needs when
they’re feeling lonely and scared,” she said of her relationship with
mum Alex.It’s a feeling the Gray family are familiar with, celebrating the
adoption of their daughter Hope this Christmas.Kelly and her husband Tim turned to adoption when they struggled to
fall pregnant, welcoming Hope into their lives when she was just six
months old.But the adoption process is long, and four years on they’re finally
able to call her their little girl.“People often think with adoption, Hope is the lucky one – but Kelly
and I, we really are the lucky ones to have her,” Tim said.They also had a biological daughter, Abigail, and find that their two
daughters are exactly the same in their eyes.[http%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2F%2Fmedia%2F2018%2F12%2F24%2F14%2F3
0%2FACA5.jpg] Kelly is overjoyed to celebrate with her daughters, both
biological and adopted.(Nine)
“Families come in so many different shapes and forms, and this is
ours,” Kelly said.Renee Carter is CEO of Adopt Change, a charity dedicated to helping
vulnerable kids, and she insists adoption is giving the children
“the permanency they need.”
“Every child should know who they’re going home to and that someone has
got their back,” she said.She feels that the process of adoption should be simplified; “If the
child wants to be adopted – if they want to be a part of the family –
we need to listen.”
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Weightloss adoption hopes gay couple come true
Now Feargal and Eugene are the first same sex couple to be approved as
adoptive parents in the Southern Trust
By
Jilly Beattie
News
Slimmed down and smiling, Feargal and Eugene
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They shed more than five stones in a bid to become parents.And now Feargal and Eugene Sherry-Toner are the first same sex couple
to be accepted as adoptive parents in the Southern Trust.The couple, who have been together more than five years, said
blissful married life led to a pile-on of pounds.And with busy jobs and no real incentive to get fit, they were in a
wake-up call this year when they applied to adopt.Read More
him
Feargal, 34, a Spar duty manager from Waringstown, Co Armagh, said: “We
had to go to a medical as part of the process to apply to adopt, and
after reading up on adoption we knew we were going to be told we needed
to slim down.Feargal and Eugene in the midst of their weight-loss challenge
“So when we were told we were both a bit obese we weren’t offended, we
knew it was a post marriage comfort zone.But we also knew that we had
to do something it or face the consequences.”
Eugene, 33, said the consequences were not option.The buyer a
hospitality company started his weight loss attempt at 14 stone 7
pounds and today, weighing 11stone 13 pounds, he says it feels like a
real achievement.Read More
largest shirt
He explained: “It was only when we went on honeymoon to Florida in 2016
that we really started talking having a family and we quickly
came to the conclusion that adoption would be our preferred choice.“We’d thought briefly the possibility of surrogacy but it seemed
so risky and pitted with potential problems that we decided we would
prefer to try to adopt.We know plenty of other same-sex couples who
have successfully adopted and we knew how happy and settled we are
together and we felt ready to start a family.Eugene
“But in the back of my mind I knew I was going to be told to drop
weight and so did Feargal.We’d been eating a bit randomly a good
while because of the pressures of work.Feargal was eating mostly from
the deli at the Spar and I was grabbing food at different hours of the
day and none of it that good.We were also partial to a take-away for
convenience and a treat.Read More
“So when we decided to actually apply to adopt in 2017 and our medical
came back as obese, all we knew what that our BMIs were too high and we
had to get them down but we had no real instruction on how much we
needed to lose.“Luckily Feargal got in touch with Sonya McAllister who runs We Slim
Together, to say we needed help.When he explained our hopes a
family, she was on board right away and within a few days we were
sorted with all the information we needed and the ingredients that
would kick-start our weight loss.We were finally on our path to
adoption.Feargal and Eugene happy and in the comfort zone before losing weight
together
“But we had to get used to getting organised.There was no point in
eating properly now and again.We had to cut out the convenience and
processed food and start from scratch.But that meant shopping
differently and organising a week’s meals so we didn’t slip up.”
With Eugene the main cook in the house, the couple saw the weight start
to drop off steadily and today after starting at 15stone 8 pounds,
Feargal has dropped to 12stone seven pounds, and they are both still on
the We Slim Together plan.Feargal said: “I never thought I’d manage to lose three stones but
they’ve gone and although my weight goes up and down a bit over
birthdays and Christmas, I’m pretty good at staying with this new
lifestyle and I feel a lot better within myself.Read More
four stone
“But our incentive from day one was having a family and we didn’t know
even if we lost weight whether it would happen or not.There were no
guarantees.The only definite was that we wouldn’t be accepted to adopt
if we remained overweight.“So slimmed down and with a new medical review, December 13 brought us
amazing news when we were approved as potential adoptive parents.“It was overwhelming.No one made any great fuss of the weight loss but
it was remarked upon by the panel we were interviewed by.They could
see that we’d taken the situation seriously and had invested a lot of
effort into getting our BMI to what they considered a healthy level.Feargal and Eugene on their engagement day before the big slim-down
“It was such emotional moment to know that we could now be parents
if we were matched with a child or siblings.I shed a tear.It all felt
so right and such a relief too.“Although we weren’t told how much weight to lose, we knew we had to
face the facts and get healthy.Now our energy levels are much better,
everything seems a bit easier and we both feel better ourselves.I feel very proud of Eugene.He’s a very relaxed sort of person but I
could see the relief and emotion on his face too when we were passed by
the adoption panel.Read More
“We had a goal, a very important goal and we made it through together.“Now we have to wait to see what children need help and whether we will
be matched with a child or siblings.“We have asked to be placed with children aged from birth to three
years old and we’ve been looking at schools and thinking how we
will sort the house and bedrooms out.But there’s not a whole lot we
can do just yet until we see the wee personality or personalities that
we are matched with.Slimmed down and smiling, Eugene and Feargal
“I thought we’d feel calm at this stage and we do, calm and relieved.But part of me is anxious to meet our child even though I know we can
do nothing to control that.So we are waiting now to see what direction
life goes in.It is exciting and amazing and such a brilliant time.“But we’d never have got here if it hadn’t been We Slim Together.In fact I felt so strongly the help we got that I’ve now become a
consultant in Lisburn WST Community in the hope of helping other
people."Eugene and I know now that while we’d been viewed as potential parents
in personality, character and ability, the way the system works meant
that we have to be as fit and healthy to help ensure as much stability
in the life of the child or children we get to adopt.Read More
prescribed medicine
“Losing more than fives stones is a big achievement but in truth the
effort was minimal compared to the results because of the way We Slim
Together is set up as a life-style plan rather than a diet.Really the
only things we don’t eat are bread and cereal but we eat pretty much
everything else and we still lost all this weight.“Now we’re on track, we’re keeping the lifestyle going, we’re organised
with our food and we are looking forward to hearing our child call us
daddy.We feel better and life is getting better all the time.The only
thing that will top this is adding a child to our home.”
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You are the owner of this article.Low 47F.Winds light and variable..
Tonight
Save
Adopting family
John Trahan assists his son John Marshall with tying his tie, left, as
Marshall's daughter Kimi Marshall signs to her mother Dolores prior to
Save
Adopted family courtesy
The Marshall children, from left, Kimi, Levi and Micah all visit with
Santa the first time on Saturday during a trip to the Silos in
Save
Adopted family courtesy
The Marshall family from Killeen smiles the camera while on
vacation at Corpus Christi.Clockwise, from far left: Dolores
Save
Adopting family
Levi Marshall, 9, and his little sister Micah, 4, inspect the Christmas
tree decorations at their grandparents house on Monday, Dec. 24, 2018,
Save
Adopting family
Kimi Marshall, 10, plays a game of tag with her brother Levi, 9, at
Save
editor's picktop story
For one local couple at Christmas, adoption has made their family richer
Save
Adopting family
John and Dolores Marshall pose a Christmas portrait with their
children, from left; Kimi, 10, Micah, 4, and Levi, 9, at the home of
John's parents John and Young Trahan on Monday, Dec. 24, 2018, in
Adopting family
John Trahan assists his son John Marshall with tying his tie, left, as
Marshall's daughter Kimi Marshall signs to her mother Dolores prior to
Adopted family courtesy
The Marshall children, from left, Kimi, Levi and Micah all visit with
Santa the first time on Saturday during a trip to the Silos in
Adopted family courtesy
The Marshall family from Killeen smiles the camera while on
vacation at Corpus Christi.Clockwise, from far left: Dolores
Adopting family
Levi Marshall, 9, and his little sister Micah, 4, inspect the Christmas
tree decorations at their grandparents house on Monday, Dec. 24, 2018,
Adopting family
Kimi Marshall, 10, plays a game of tag with her brother Levi, 9, at
Save
Together 14 years, and married 11 of those, John and Dolores
Marshall of Killeen feel very strongly adoption.“Our life’s plan, or priority, was adoption,” said Dolores.They decided before they were married that they would adopt before
having children of their own.They also wanted to adopt children less likely to get a home — older
child, and a child with special needs.The Marshalls now have three children, two of whom they adopted:
daughter Kimi, now 10, adopted at 19 months; son Levi, now 9, adopted
at age 3; and daughter Micah.Their Christmas this year will be a simple one, but it’s all the
Marshalls could ever want.In the days before Christmas, they took the
children to the Silos in Waco to see Santa, and the family will be
spending Christmas Day with John’s parents in Harker Heights, opening
the gifts under the tree and having a traditional family holiday meal.For the Marshall family, these simple plans mean the world.For
instance, in the past, Kimi simply wasn’t ready to visit Santa, as the
experience would have been too much her.This year, however, she
was excited the prospect, so all three children got to experience
their first Santa visit at the same time.KIMI
Kimi was hand-picked the Marshalls by the social worker.“The photos of Kimi looked exactly like me at the same age,” said
Dolores.When they met Kimi, the couple said, “It was love at first
sight.”
Kimi has a chromosomal disorder, causing developmental delays including
delayed growth and speech development and learning disabilities.In
Kimi’s case, she’s also hard of hearing and has speech apraxia; she was
once thought to never be able to walk.Dolores and John worked with Kimi non-stop.Kimi slowly began to learn
to walk.Dolores began to teach Kimi American Sign Language and helped
her learn how to articulate words (called approximation) to
communicate.Kimi’s vocabulary soon began to grow and she was walking
at 27 months, eight months after joining the Marshall family.Kimi is special in other ways, too.Her parents tell one story of a
time where Kimi went to the school nurse ice pack.When she
returned, she placed it on the substitute’s hand.It turned out, the
woman had arthritis.The gesture moved the woman to tears.“Everything she does is special,” her father said.“Her soul is so
pure.”
Now, Kimi knows how to sign over 1,000 words.She runs, she climbs the
playground equipment, she’s even participated in the Special Olympics.“She’s still behind developmentally, and struggles academically, but
functions within the household just fine,” Dolores said.“We feel we found the right child, and she found the right family.”
LEVI
Just before Kimi turned 4, the Marshalls decided to adopt again, and
found Levi.“We wanted (a child) who would be like Kimi so she wouldn’t feel
different,” Dolores said.Levi had been born healthy, but had suffered from shaken baby syndrome
and other severe abuses and neglect.He suffered seizures, had
hydrocephalus, and experienced brain and retinal bleeds.He required
brain surgeries and shunts.He had also lived in a series of nursing and foster homes.He was
nonverbal, had developmental and intellectual delays.He bit Dolores on
their first meeting, the family recalled.The Marshalls again fell in love and 3-year-old Levi joined the family.With their patience and love, they taught him sign language, which they
said he picked up almost immediately.Within two months, he was
learning verbal speech, began reading within four months, and was
reading Dr. Seuss soon after.He even began to interpret Kimi’s signing
to their parents.Now, his mother said, “Levi still has some remnant behaviors, but he
has far surpassed everyone’s expectations.” He is both developmentally
and academically on target, and continues to progress in all areas.MICAH
Two years later, the Marshalls gave birth to their first biological
child, Micah.Her parents describe her as “precocious, bright and
sassy.” She takes up her sister, and plays well with both sister
and brother.“She is the best little sister to both of them,” Dolores said.CHRISTMAS WISHES
people who have thought adoption but are afraid they’re not
“perfect” enough, Dolores said, think again.“We’re not saints.We’re
not perfect.Adoption isn’t perfect people.”
Adoption, she said, is people who have love to give and a desire to
give that love to a child who needs a family.As the Marshalls’ wishes Christmas, theirs are simple: “Our
family, our kids to continue to surpass the expectations of their
doctors, and to have our families together, with everything exactly as
they are meant to be.”
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JLBLANTON PHOTOGRAPHY | COURTESY PHOTO
The Brymer family was one of the new “Forever Families” at the Adoption
Day Celebration on Nov. 29.JLBLANTON PHOTOGRAPHY | COURTESY PHOTO
Nov. 29 was a celebration of families, as Associate Judge Melissa
DeGerolami of the Child Protective Court of South Central Texas granted
adoptions four new families.The hearings were held at the District
Courtroom at the Atascosa County Courthouse.She began by thanking District Judge Lynn Ellison graciously
allowing them to interrupt his docket that day the County Court of
Law, a special child protection docket and celebration of
adoptions.She said a grand celebration deserves a grand setting.Prior to the proceedings, Tina Pacheco of This Mum’s You pinned
corsages on the family members.Members of the DeSpain family pose a photo.“It is a celebration of commitment and dedication of perseverance and
patience, of unconditional love.Those are hallmarks of every family,
but especially the families that are being created today.This is an
annual celebration here in Atascosa County and the child protection
court,” said Judge DeGerolami.“I am always excited to be a part of
this celebration and to preside over it.It’s such honor and
privilege me.Having the most part, seen these cases progress
and to get to this point, it is a long journey.One that today is going
to end in a happy ending.”
Jourdanton High School students provided face and hand painting the
children.Jourdanton High School students provided face and hand painting the
children.She also thanked Margaret Littleton and the District
Clerk’s office waiving all the fees that day the adoption
decrees.“I think that’s pretty amazing this wonderful affirmation of community
and the support that Atascosa County has this important work, so I
don’t want to belabor introductions,” DeGerolami said.The adoptive families were the Brymer, Morales, Robinson and DeSpain
families.
The first case on the docket was the Brymer family, of Atascosa County.DeGerolami invited everyone there in support of Madeline Brymer to all
come forward.The judge said adoption hearing is the best kind of
hearing you can have.Following a series of questions, the judge said, “I will say that based
upon review of your file and testimony today and my own knowledge of
this case, because it has been my sincere privilege to have watched and
witness this journey, and this formation of family and I absolutely
find that this adoption is in Madeline’s best interest and in all
aspects.It is my profound honor to be in a position to adopt this
adoption and to declare you a forever family and congratulations.”
New adoptee Ashlynn Robinson (wearing a white bow) displays a sign
showing how many days she had been in foster care.New adoptee Ashlynn Robinson (wearing a white bow) displays a sign
showing how many days she had been in foster care.The remaining families followed, with Ashlynn Robinson displaying a
sign that read, “I was in foster care 713 days, but today I was
adopted.”
Afterwards, the celebrations continued at the Jourdanton Community
Center a reception.The decor and food featured a “It’s O-Fish-Al”
theme.The Morales family also became a “Forever Family” at the Adoption Day
celebration.H-E-Buddy and court coordinator Dora Gonzales.Judge DeGerolami and Court Coordinator Dora Gonzales would like to
thank the following their contributions: Atascosa County Child
Welfare Board members- Heart Gallery, cake and desserts; CASA of South
Texaschips, dips and balloons; Texas Department of Family and
Protective Services contributed cutlery, side dishes, drinks, desserts,
snacks, gifts and decorations; Post Adopt Serviceschildren’s gifts;
Kinship Program the design of photo background, Christi Doerr for
photography and Tessa Zapata; H-E-B and H-E-Buddy; Pleasanton High
School- Ms. Meredith Rutherford Culinary Art students the potato
salad and pasta salad; Jourdanton High School- Emily Stricker and the
students face painting; Patricia Centeno- quilts each child;
Cafe Chrissandwich trays; Lauren’s Deli- sandwich trays; Crazy About
Mangonadas- fruit cups – Nancy and Tony Guerrero; Jourdanton Community
Center- Dorothy Manning; Atascosa County District Clerk- Margaret
Littleton and stafffree certified copies of adoption decree; Atascosa
County Maintenance Department Greg Simmons and staff; Tina
Pachecocorsages parents.CASA of South Texas staff: Joni Garcia, Brianna Saroz, Francie Gasch
and Frankie Ellis were on hand the day’s celebration.LISA LUNA |
PLEASANTON EXPRESS PHOTOS
CASA of South Texas staff: Joni Garcia, Brianna Saroz, Francie Gasch
and Frankie Ellis were on hand the day’s celebration.LISA LUNA |
PLEASANTON EXPRESS PHOTOS
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The adoption process is surrounded by myths and misconceptions but the
county council is encouraging people to find out the realities for
themselves; and who knows, 2019 could be their year to provide a
permanent and loving home a child.Juan, from the county council’s adoption support team, said: “We have a
great support offer in place, we provide support early on in the
process to help with new parenting skills and help adopers to
understand and meet different children’s needs now, and in the future.“We have a very dedicated team who are here to help.”
The county council understands taking that first step and making an
enquiry can sometimes be the hardest part, but it’s hoped that the
campaign will instil confidence in people to make that step.The
campaign will shine a spotlight on the people whose job it is to create
‘forever families’ and who support prospective adopters through the
process.Laura, Beth, Rachael, Juan, and others, feature in a series of
short videos which will be shared on the @cumbriafosteringandadoption
page from today.Cllr Anne Burns, Cabinet Member Children and Family Services, said:
“We know the adoption process can seem scary and intrusive but adopters
who’ve been through it tell us that it can be a really positive
experience and well worth it.“Our teams want the best the children and adopters, and work
tirelessly to match children with the right forever families.“Our team is always ready to talk to people who are considering
adopting, so if that’s you, please take that first step and contact
us.”
People thinking adopting can contact the county council in a
variety of ways, including:
Attending a drop-in event:
Friday 25 January 2019.Online at www.cumbria.gov.uk/adoption.Call 0303 333 1216 Monday to Friday 9am-5pm or leave a voicemail
outside of these times.Cllr Anne BurnsCumbria County CouncilKendal LibraryPenrith Library0
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January 03, 2019
Jay was worried he wouldn’t be fed.He was in trouble at school.He was
sick a lot.And he was only 5 years old.Before he met Chelsey and Bailey Glassco, Jay (not his real name) had
never lived with a foster family longer than 90 days.But the Glasscos,
who were shunned by their tight-knit Southern, Christian communities
when they came out, have what they call “a soft spot” foster kids.“We’ve said from the very beginning that whatever is best him is
what we want,” Chelsey told Katherine Webb-Hehn Scalawag.With the Glasscos as his foster moms, Jay made friends at school and
got down to just one medication a day.He made As and Bs in class.After three months with the Glasscos, he started asking if he could
stay good.They decided to adopt him.But it was a process fraught with
uncertainty and anxiety, especially a same-sex couple in Alabama.Ever since Alabama Gov.Kay Ivey signed HB24 into law in May 2017, it’s
been legal private, religious-affiliated adoption agencies to
discriminate against same-sex couples.And despite adoption proceedings
typically being a formality, the Glasscos’ adoption proceeding would
take place in front of a probate judge who refused to issue a single
marriage license in his county after Obergefell v. Hodges legalized
same-sex marriage nationwide.On the day of the adoption proceeding, the Glasscos entered the rural
courthouse with Jay and two friends from church.Nerves were on edge.Then the delays began.The 1 p.m. hearing was pushed back hour, and
then almost two hours.The hearing finally began just after 4 p.m.
Before long, Chelsey texted Webb-Hehn that she thought the judge was
concerned approving the couple’s adoption out of fear of his name
being linked to it.Jay, now 6, had already spent nearly half of his life – 1,000 days – in
foster care.Now the couple was worried he would remain there.“There’s a huge swath of people who think we’re past same-sex rights,
who think there’s nothing left to fight for,” said the Glasscos’ friend
Amy to Webb-Hehn.“That’s just not true if you live in rural places.”
The Glasscos were with the judge more than hour.When they
finally left, it was with Jay Glassco, their legally adopted son.They celebrated their victory with ice cream, but it was a muted
celebration.“I kept reminding myself that it wasn’t personal,” Chelsey told
Webb-Hehn.“It wasn’t my wife and I he was taking issue with.That’s
what I tell myself to keep from getting angry.This was bigger than us.He was trying to look out himself, his family, his career.Does it
make it OK?Does it make me happy it?No, but I wanted to leave
with my son being adopted.”
“I’m not as cool-tempered as Chelsey,” Bailey said.“I was thinking:
How am I going to explain to my child that this thing I’ve been waiting
is not going to happen because someone’s afraid?”
In the end, it did happen.But the Glasscos’ happy ending, the capstone
on a story that we highlighted not long after they began fostering Jay,
underscores another issue.There are currently 6,000 children in the state’s foster system,
according to the Alabama Department of Human Services — more than there
are families to foster them.Alabama needs qualified foster parents
like the Glasscos.Back on the ice cream parlor’s front porch, Bailey took a deep breath
and let out a sigh.“It seemed like in face he had this
moment where he was looking at us,” she told Webb-Hehn, “and he was
looking at , and he was looking at us … and he had this moment
when it was like: Oh, this is a family.This is what a family looks
like.”
We couldn’t agree more.The Editors
P.S.Here are some other pieces we think are valuable this week:
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by Mitch Smith and Julie Turkewitz The New York Times
unjust system by Noah Berlatsky NBC News
separation policy embraces new life by Ginger Thompson for
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Home / Families / Santa Asked If I Wanted a Million Dollars or the Best
Mom in the World?Santa Asked If I Wanted a Million Dollars or the Best Mom in the World?The best present a parent can receive is to know their child is happy.January 7, 2019 by Edie Weinstein Leave a Comment
The title of this article appeared on a card that my 31 year-old-son
gave me yesterday at the gathering of family at his new abode.He and
his wife Lauren moved in this past August after a lengthy search a
house that would not only feel like a haven them but a place into
which they could welcome family and friends.That they did in grand
style this Christmas.Lauren’s family, which included her parents,
brother and sister, two sets of aunts and uncles, as well as my sister,
two of her three adult children, the girlfriend and the 7-year-old son
of one of her sons, her 6-year-old granddaughter, and a dear friend who
feels like family, as well as her Havanese doggy named Gracie,
gathered ’round the tree and tables that were filled with food that
was shared prepared.Laughter and love permeated the air.The mammoth
tree towered over us, filled with twinkling lights and ornaments from
way back, as well as newly purchased decor.Greeting us on the lawn
were blow up tree and snowman.The ‘doorman’ by the front steps- Darth
Vadar with a candy cane lightsaber was a nod to my son’s Star War’s
geekdom.In a combination of feeling festive and wistful that came from missing
those who had passed recently and decades ago, (including my
husband/Adam’s father who died in 1998 on the Winter Solstice, after
the last candle of Hanukkah and a few days before Christmas), I
ventured into the house toting gifts that I enjoyed picking out for
each person.Rather than using wrapping paper, they were all ensconced
in reusable bags that are carrying home groceries the next time
around.A tree-hugging hippie in all ways, here.As my daughter-in-law
and her sister opened their bags, they saw that one of the gifts was a
This Is Us coloring book.It has a line drawing on the cover of the
infamous slow cooker that was the instrument by which the male
protagonist Jack Pearson meets his demise.We share the love of the
drama that has people buzzing.When I opened my gifts, I laughed when I
saw that Lauren had gotten me a little sign that has the words, This Is
Us inscribed on it.Of course, we had to take a picture of the three of
us, holding up our themed gifts.My great niece Aryanna adores Adam and Lauren and crawls into their
laps to play games and take selfies.She knows she is loved.We read a
book called I’m Going to Give You A Bear Hug and after we paged through
it, I reminded her that she can always decline a hug if she chooses.I
am reinforcing that her body is her own and who touches it and how is
up to her.We also played a game of musical freeze.They had this
stuffed ‘poop emoji’ in a Santa Hat that sang, and used the tagline,
“Can’t touch this.” She decided that we got to dance while the music
was playing and had to freeze in whatever position we were in when it
stopped.We all got the giggles and burned off some
post-dinner calories in the process.Don’t like ads?Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad
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When Lauren’s parents gathered their side of the family a picture
in front of the tree, Adam hesitated and I reminded him that he was
just as much a Winkler as Lauren is a Moser and that he belonged in the
photo too.It just occurred to me that my birth last name Weinstein had
morphed into Moser when I married Michael.Monogrammed towels can be
hung either way as a result me and Adam and Lauren.Several times during the day, Adam checked on me, asking if I was okay.He knows I miss my friend Ondreah who died on December 9th.I thanked
him and hugged this linebacker-sized man who I used to have to bend
down to hug and who had crawled into my lap when he was Aryanna’s age.I told him that I was feeling low key, but was enjoying being there
with everyone.As I gazed around the kitchen, living room and dining room at the
family of birth, adoption, and choice that were enjoying each other’s
company as well, I was struck with overwhelming sense of pride.In
Yiddish, the word is ‘kvelling’.He has work that he is exceptional at
that blends his childhood love of video games and his adult love of
stuff like Comic-Con and Star Wars and other delightfully nerdy things.In his own way, he is more like his ‘weird hippie mom’ than he would
like to believe he is.He married into a family in which his in-laws
still attend rock concerts and much of their decor consists of signed
rock posters.His father-in-law has clothing festooned with peace signs
and he makes tie-dye fun.He is married to the love of his life who
has thanked me ‘raising the man of my dreams’.Could a mother ask
more?Oh, and by the way, he chose the big bucks because he already had the
best mom in the world, according to the card.I wish the first him
too, that way he can take care of her in her old age.
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Filed Under: Families, Featured Content Tagged With: adoption,
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About Edie Weinstein
Edie Weinstein, MSW, LSW is a colorfully creative journalist, inspiring
transformational speaker, licensed social worker, interfaith minister,
editor, radio host, BLISS coach, event producer, certified Laughter
Yoga Leader, Cosmic Concierge, the author of The Bliss Mistress Guide
To Transforming The Ordinary Into The Extraordinary and co-author of
Embraced By the Divine: The Emerging Woman’s Gateway to Power, Passion
and Purpose.She has also contributed to several anthologies and
personal growth books.Edie has interviewed such notables as Ram Dass,
Wayne Dyer, Debbie Ford, don Miguel Ruiz, don Miguel Ruiz, Jr. Marianne
Williamson, Louise Hay, Grover Washington, Jr. Noah Levine, Shirley
MacLaine, Dennis Weaver, Ben and Jerry and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.She calls herself Opti-mystic who sees the world through the eyes of
possibility.Edie writes The Huffington Post, Psych Central,
Beliefnet, Elephant Journal, The Good Men Project, Expanded Family,
Meaningful Mom, Happenings Media, as well as a growing number of other
venues.Edie is the founder of Hug Mobsters Armed With Love, which
offers FREE HUGS events on a planned and spontaneous basis.www.opti-mystical.com
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Posted: Dec. 11, 2018 8:25 PM
Updated: Dec. 11, 2018 10:41 PM
Posted By: Sarah Singleterry
Just days after their father's death, Athens family is raising money
area families who need help covering the cost of adopting a child."Let's just go do it.Let's just go be Jesus, and we'll help as many
families as we can on their adoption journey," Dana Pressnell said.Dana Pressnell and Darren Sides' dad, Herbert Sides, died unexpectedly
of cancer on Sunday."When he passed unexpectedly we said 'What can we do the
community?'," Darren Sides said."We were brainstorming as a family several different fundraisers,"
Pressnell said.They finally landed on adoption.Thirteen years ago Dana and her
husband adopted their daughter Huntley, a decision her dad wasn't fond
of at first."It's new to him.The way he came up and stuff you didn't hear about
adoption," Sides said."He had only heard the horror stories that you would see on TV about
adoption, and he was like 'no, no, no.'," Pressnell said.That changed when he met Huntley."His heart would melt when he would hear stories of adoption," Sides
said."It is just a complete change of heart.It's almost comical," Pressnell
said.The Pressnell's know all too well the financial burden that can come
with adopting a child.Dana told WAAY 31 home studies, social work
fees, background checks, fingerprint checks, and other expenses can
easily add up to $15-30 thousand dollars.That's why she, her brother
Darren, and their mother Becky Sides have agreed to match the
community's giving up to $15,000 in order to help cover adoption costs
other local families.The fundraiser will stay open until March 5th, 2019.That would have
been Herbert Sides' 73rd birthday.To donate to the Herbert's Heart Adoption fundraiser here.Related Content
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Dog Called Camo Ready to Cuddle Up with New Family, Reduced Adoption Fee
Event
December 14, 2018
Emily DeRuiter,
Meet Camo, the perfect lapdog to cuddle up with this winter!He’s hoping someone will give him the gift a family all his own.Staff at the Cherryland Humane Society in Traverse City says, “He is
still here and we really don’t understand why!He’s so sweet and loves
to be lazy here in the office.”
You can meet him and other cats and dogs ready new homes during
Cherryland’s “Stuff the Subaru” reduced adoption fee event on Saturday.The humane society is opening its doors to the public.You will be able
to watch adoptions, tour the shelter, participate in our silent auction
and enjoy treats from the shelter’s bake sale.Donations the animals will be stuffed into a Subaru, in thanks for
a generous grant from the ASPCA and Subaru.See the shelter’s wish list
here to find out what goodies to bring.Adoption applications the reduced fee will be accepted from Dec. 6
to 15.Cats will be $40, and dogs will be $80.The CHS does not do same day adoptions, only pre-approved applications
will be able to pick up their new pet during the event.Online adoption application: cherrylandhumane.org.Categories: the four
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Emily
Desfosses left her difficult family situation at the age of 14, and
after couch surfing with friends she ended up at Sunrise House, the
youth emergency shelter in Grande Prairie.Emily Desfosses spent nearly 1,000 days in foster care before being
adopted at the age of 17, Photo: Misty Eyes
Now 17, Emily says being on her own was scary at times when she didn’t
know if she would have a safe place to sleep or food to eat.“Kids like me, they don’t always get a home and I wish more people my
age that are in independent living had a family because they’re pretty
much on their own.”
27-year-old Kaylee Desfosses first heard Emily through her former
job at Grande Prairie Crime Prevention.She and her then-fiancé David
agreed to take her in, despite only being 10 years her senior.Kaylee understands people may be confused how their family works
but says the key is the attitude.“Emily is my favourite person in the whole world, tied obviously with
my husband, but I’m still her parent, not her BFF.There are still
rules; we still say, ‘no’.”
After a lengthy process, Emily was officially adopted by Kaylee and
David in a ceremony on December 11, 2018.Her birth certificate has
been reissued with their names on it and her new last name, and she was
able to choose her middle names: Samantha and Lynn after her aunt and
two grandmas.The three moved to the Edmonton area roughly a year-and-a-half ago for
a fresh start and to be closer to their large and supportive family.Emily says the final piece is legally becoming a part of it.“It means that now I have stability and they pretty much can’t get rid
of me,” she says laughing.“I feel more safe now.”
“Most people when they think of adoption, they think of a baby but
there are so many kids out there that are around my age, even
pre-teens, that just need homes.”
Emily also says finding her forever family has made her more outgoing,
happy, and wise, and she has fun trying to explain her young parents to
new friends.She’s planning to attend hairdressing school after
graduation this year and hopes to eventually have a career with the
Edmonton Police Service.Not only does Emily Desfosses have new parents, she has also gained a
large family, Photo: Misty Eyes
While their journey together has had ups and downs, Kaylee says it has
been worth it to reach this point.She encourages others to consider
their own family situation.“If you would have told me five years ago that I would be 27-years-old
and married with a teenager – a 17-year-old graduating high school this
year – I would have laughed at you so hard, but life kind of gives us
surprises once and a while and things turn out the way they’re supposed
to be, I think.”
If adoption isn’t option, Kaylee suggests supporting youth emergency
shelters and watching children who may be struggling as a way to
help young people in need of support.Tags: adoptionsunrise houseyouth emergency shelter
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Five families celebrate 9 adoptions during National Adoption Day in Ellis
County
Ashley Ford | aford@waxahachietx.com
Wednesday
Dec 12, 2018 at 5:39 PM
WAXAHACHIE
Five families eagerly waited to finalize nine sets of adoption
paperwork while gathered in the third-floor hallway of the Ellis County
Courts Building on Monday.The celebration that followed marked a successful second annual
National Adoption Day in Ellis County that saw nine children find
forever homes.A set of grandparents, who asked to remain anonymous because the kids
are enrolled in local schools, adopted three of those children.The
ages of the siblings range between seven and 16 years and all have
lived with their mother under the grandparents’ roof the past six
years.Six months ago, however, both the mother and father voluntarily
terminated their parental rights and neither has made contact with the
children since September.The grandmother — who herself was adopted at
birth — shared that the relinquishment was not a relief and instead
seems more difficult because now the family had to transition into an
unfamiliar relationship.“It’s been very difficult to step out of the role of grandmother.It’s
very complicated because they will ask if their mother will become
their sister.So there’s been lots of figuring that out ourselves,” the
grandmother said.Dana Holt, the adoption director with Texas Baptist Home Children,
has worked closely with the family and touched on what they are going
through emotionally.“Even though it’s in the best interest the kids, it’s a deep-rooted
hurt.That bond between mom and child is cut.Unless you’ve walked it,
you don’t get it,” Holt explained.“Termination is hard, especially
when it’s in your family.”
When Holt spoke from the perspective of the mother, she was sympathetic
and described that society holds a stigma on mothers who voluntarily
release their rights.“It is the bravest decision to ever make,” Holt elaborated.“A woman
who is willing and a dad that is willing to make that choice, they are
putting the child’s needs above their own desires.It’s the bravest and
most loving decision to make.Our society sees it as they gave up, it’s
selfish.Society sees it as they didn’t want the responsibility
anymore.”
Holt said in most situations a judge decides whether a parent can
continue in their role and, in this case, the parents chose a path and
made a plan their child.The grandmother explained that Child Protective Services have been
involved with the grandchildren's' lives the past six years.When
the grandmother got in touch with a local lawyer, it was suggested the
family work with the Texas Baptist Home.Once the adoption agency was
introduced into the equation, the staff proved to have the best
interest of the family.Holt educated the family on how they would be
helped by particular services offered by the state.“You have to know how to ask and what to ask for,” Holt emphasized.When a family adopts another member, it is called a kinship adoption.The family was required to go through agency (TBHC) to adopt through
CPS.Holt explained the agency works with CPS to make sure all the
needs of the family are met.In this process, the child would have more
benefits and the state can pay services such as counseling and
tuition state colleges.The grandmother said if she and her husband did not have the help of
TBHC, “I can’t imagine that we could have made it.I just don’t think
we could have.We went from being in our retirement years to empty
nesters to starting all over.”
By the time the youngest child graduates high school, the grandmother
will be in her early 70s.“It’s totally all God,” the grandmother said.“I can’t begin to tell
you the number of people who stepped up to help us in the beginning.So
many people stepped in that God sent.Every day I wake up and ask God,
‘Do you know how old I am.Is this really what you want us to do?’”
On Monday, the family, along with four others, gathered at the courts
building and enjoyed a reception put on by CPS staff, CASA, TBHC and
Backyard Orphans.Before County Court at Law One Judge Jim Chapman singed off on the
adoptions, Eric Porter, the founder and president of Backyard Orphans,
along with other volunteers prayed the agencies, churches and
families involved with each case.While Porter spoke, he proudly shared, “There were 90 days where zero
children were waiting adoption in Ellis County this year.And
currently there are two right now, and we have three or four families
lined up to see if they are a good match.”
Jillian Locke, Child Protective Services advanced specialist in the
intensive adoption unit, spearheaded the event.She works in a team of
nine individuals and covers all outlying counties such as Ellis,
Navarro, Kaufman, Collin, Denton, Grayson and Fannin Counties.This
past fiscal year, September 2017 through August 2018, the intensive
adoption unit finalized 158 adoptions.Under Locke are seven
caseworkers that average 15 to 20 children at any given time.Locke described the adoption day as "amazing," and expressed the
importance of the celebration."It helps remind our community that important work is being done to
protect our most vulnerable citizens every day behind the walls of the
courthouse and CPS offices," Locke said."Our hope is that it raises
awareness that there are children that need a loving forever family and
that one day there will be enough families that no child is left
waiting to be adopted."Judge Jim Chapman, CPS, CASA, The Texas Baptist Home Children, The
Ellis County Child Welfare Board, Lisa Jackson Photography, Backyard
Orphans, The Oaks Fellowship, MaDolly’s Clothing Shop, The Rawls
Family, The Berg Family, Kelly Saunders, The Ellis County Courthouse
and staff, The Ellis County DA’s office, and The Courthouse Café all
played a role in the second annual National Adoption Day Ellis
County.- - - - - -
Ashley Ford | @afordnews | 469-517-1450
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#Ethereum World News » Feed Ethereum World News » Comments Feed
Ethereum World News » Woops!Fortnite Merch Curbs Crypto Adoption, Drops Monero (XMR) Option
Nick Chong by Nick Chong
January 7, 2019
in Altcoin News, Business and Finance
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Fortnite Store Monero (XMR)
On New Year’s Day, rumors began to circulate around the crypto
industry’s social media channels that Fortnite, the world-renowned
“Battle Royale” video game that raked in millions upon millions, had
begun to accept Monero (XMR) payments on its official merchandise
store.After this hearsay circulated, Riccardo Spagni, a leading South
African crypto enthusiast and Monero core team member, took to
to explain this industry occurrence.Spagni, who is part of the “Magical Crypto Friends” podcast, confirmed
that XMR payments were accepted on the bonafide Fortnite Store via
integration with pro-crypto payment processor GloBee.Referencing the
video game, he quipped on that “now you can purchase that sweet
Durrr Burger onesie without your friends, family, or coworkers judging
you,” evidently touching on XMR’s privacy features.Interestingly, with this integration, the payment processor limited
cryptocurrency transactions to XMR, even though it accepts payments via
Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Decred, and XRP.When this news
broke, a number of crypto enthusiasts took to social media channels to
express their excitement, as integration into a facet of Fortnite, a
game that attracts millions of viewers on Twitch day-in, day-out, is
evidently optimistic sign.Many optimists claimed that this integration could spark a newfound
bout of adoption cryptocurrencies, while others (a bit more
cynical) noted that Fortnite’s adoption of XMR would push the asset
higher, but no the broader market.Not So Fast, Says Epic Games Founder
While the GloBee integration was successful a number of days, with
preliminary reports indicating that crypto-friendly users actually
transacted XMR, Tim Sweeney, the founder of Epic Games, the company
behind Fortnite and of its facets, claimed that the acceptance of XMR
was “brief” and “accident.” Through a thread that garnered
traction in the cryptosphere just recently, the preeminent programmer
explained that “somewhere along the way” unnamed one of Epic’s
partners enabled the Monero payment option.ADVERTISEMENT
Actually, Fortnite’s brief foray into crypto was accidental.We
worked with a partner to open a merchandise store, and somewhere
along the way Monero payment was enabled.
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) January 6, 2019
As such, the option to pay via XMR was quickly shuttered.However, it
isn’t all doom and gloom the cryptocurrency community.Via the
medium of the aforementioned thread, Sweeney went on to reveal
that “many of us at Epic (implying that he’s included),” are big fans
of decentralized ledger technologies.And while Epic employees may be believers, Sweeney noted that progress
needs to be made on “volatility and fraud-proofing” before bringing the
innovation to the public, especially to the younger demographic who
frequent their flagship product in Fortnite.He added that in spite of
the rumors, Epic doesn’t currently have any official crypto-centric
partners, nor plans a solid foray into this industry.It isn’t clear what Fortnite foray into the crypto or blockchain world
would entail, but if it happens, many optimists in this budding sector
believe that it will take the form of a ledger-based token, which would
bring the concept of digital assets to the mainstream.Title Image Courtesy of Casey Horner Via Unsplash
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New York gives Christian group 'ultimatum': change gay adoption policy
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CP Current Page: Politics | Monday, December 10, 2018
New York gives Christian group 'ultimatum': change gay adoption policy
or end placement program
New York gives Christian group 'ultimatum': change gay adoption policy or end
placement program
By Samuel Smith, CP Reporter | Monday, December 10, 2018
Email Whatsapp () Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit
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(Photo: Becket)
The state of New York has given a Syracuse-based Christian adoption
agency ultimatum to either change their adoption policy forbidding
placement with same-sex couples or no longer be able to provide
adoption services, a new lawsuit details.New Hope Family Services has filed a federal lawsuit against the acting
commissioner of the state’s Office of Children and Family Services on
the ground that the nonprofit could be forced to phase out its adoption
program if it doesn’t change its policy prioritizing placement in homes
with both a mother and a father.The organization, which was founded in 1965 and also provides foster
services and pregnancy resources, has placed over 1,000 children in
adoptive homes throughout the state since its founding.According to the legal nonprofit representing the organization,
Alliance Defending Freedom, New Hope was founded “to be Christ’s hands
extended to offer hope and help to people with pregnancy, parenting,
adoption or post-abortion needs in the Syracuse area and throughout the
State of New York.”
According to the lawsuit, New Hope does not accept state funding and
funds its ministry through churches, donors and private grants.The lawsuit details that the troubles New Hope in late October
after OFCS reviewed the organization's policy and procedures manual and
took issue with the organization's placement policy.The review of the
policy came after agent of the agency did a site visit to New Hope
and even took note of the “number of strengths” of New Hope’s adoption
program.But after reviewing the New Hope’s policies, OFCS labeled New Hope’s
policy on gay adoption “discriminatory and impermissible.”
In a letter to New Hope, OFCS said the “agency’s policy pertaining to
not placing ‘children with those who are living together without the
benefit of marriage’ or ‘same sex couples’” violates Title 18 of the
New York Code, Rules and Regulations.”
“The letter provided ultimatum that New Hope either ‘revise the
present policy and continue the existing adoption program’ or ‘fail to
bring the policy into compliance with the regulation,’ in which case
‘OCFS will be unable to approve continuation of current
adoption program and will be required to submit a close-out
plan the adoption program,’” the lawsuit explains.The lawsuit argues that the state’s ultimatum New Hope would force
the agency “to choose either to violate its faith or cease exercising
its religion by closing its adoption ministry.”
“New York State has never changed its adoption laws to make it
mandatory adoption providers to place children with couples other
than ‘an adult husband and his adult wife,’” the lawsuit asserts.“Instead, unelected bureaucrats in the New York Office of Children and
Family Services have purported to do so through their adoption,
interpretation, and enforcement of a new regulation.”
Erik Stanley, director of the ADF Center Christian Ministries, said
in a statement that adoption services exist only to help children not
“to affirm the desires of adults.”
“There’s no reason the state to single out and punish those who
hold the belief that the best home a child includes a father and a
mother,” Stanley argued.“Children in Syracuse, throughout the state,
and across the country will suffer if this hostility toward faith-based
adoption providers becomes the status quo.”
New Hope is asking the U.S. District Court the Northern District of
New York to protect the adoption agency from any government-imposed
punishment because of its decision to uphold its decades-old placement
policy.“Every child deserves a forever home with loving parents,” ADF Legal
Counsel Jeana Hallock said in a statement.“For over 50 years, New Hope has served New York by offering a
comprehensive, ‘arm-around-the-shoulder’ ministry and walking with
adoptive couples and birth parents to place children with adoptive
families.Protecting these nonprofits does nothing to interfere with
other adoption providers who hold different convictions.But
eliminating New Hope as a faith-based adoption provider means fewer
kids find a forever home, fewer adoptive parents will ever welcome
their new child, and fewer birth parents enjoy the exceptional support
that New Hope has offered decades.In short, everyone loses if the
government forces New Hope to shut down.”
New Hope’s legal battle comes as adoption agencies in various parts of
the country have faced similar ultimatums in the past decade.Elsewhere in upstate New York, Catholic Charities of Buffalo halted its
adoption and foster services in August over conflicts with state and
local non-discrimination policies relating to LGBT couples.Earlier this year, Bethany Christian Services of Greater Delaware
Valley altered its placement policies to allow children to be
placed in homes with same-sex parents after the city of Philadelphia
stopped placing foster children with BCS and Catholic Social Services
because of their gay adoption policies.While BCS changed its policy to meet the demands of Philadelphia
government leaders, Catholic Social Services filed a lawsuit against
the city.But a federal judge in July ruled in favor of the city.CSS
has appealed the judge’s ruling.In the past several years, faith-based adoption and foster care
providers in Massachusetts, Illinois, Washington, D.C., and California
have had to halt their adoption services in the last decade-plus
because of policies forbidding agencies from barring children from
being placed with same-sex couples.“To eliminate faith-based agencies from the field of service over
ideology, to take away their licenses, which is happening in states, to
prevent them from entering into contracts to provide these services for
public entities ..., it is going to end up with seeing fewer resources
children in foster care and children will go unadopted," Chuck
Johnson, president of the nonpartisan National Council Adoption,
warned in April.Follow Samuel Smith on : @IamSamSmith
or : SamuelSmithCP
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Opinions
Diane Dimond: Families, Children and a Flawed Adoption Law
By Diane Dimond | @DiDimond | December 15, 2018 | 5:30 p.m.
This column is dedicated to issues of crime and justice.But this time
of year, it seems out of place to talk murders, wrongful
convictions, child abuse, the scourge of drugs and all the other topics
I usually opine in this space.Because this is the pre-Christmas season, I'd like this column to be
families with children — all families — even if they don't look
like yours.This is also a column meaningful journalism.The Marshall Project, which also focuses its publication on crime and
justice topics, recently ran a deep dive into the unintended
consequences of the Adoption and Safe Families Act.What its reporters
found is disturbing.A bit of background the legislation: It was passed in 1997 and
requires that any child held in foster care more than 15 months out
of the previous 22 months be put up adoption.The idea behind the
act, which is still in effect today, was to strip unworthy parents of
their parental rights and place their vulnerable children into a stable
home as soon as possible.Up until that point, courts had followed a
1980 dictum to make all "reasonable efforts" to reunite children with
their biological families, oftentimes without regard to whether that
was really the best or safest place them.The 1997 act gives incentives to states that increase their adoption
numbers.For each child adopted above the previous year's number, the
state gets $4,000.The amount goes up to $6,000 each adoptee who is
older or physically or emotionally disabled.This award is a mighty
inducement to states that seek ways to reduce their foster care costs.According to The Marshall Project, the feds have given out more than
$630 million in bonuses.The unintended consequence of the Adoption and Safe Families Act hit
incarcerated parents particularly hard, since get-tough sentencing
often results in prison terms longer than the adoption trigger point of
15 months.Single mothers with no relatives to take their children are
affected most often, although fathers' rights have been revoked, too.For these people, it is a double whammy — a prison term plus the pain
of losing their children.There is a lot of talk these days the Trump administration's
family separation policy at the U.S.-Mexico border.There is next to no
discussion the family separation policy that has been going on
more than 20 years right here at home.Now, you might say that any parents who get themselves sentenced to
prison are unworthy of consideration.But you'd be surprised at some of
the backstories of those who have lost the right to see their children
after being convicted of minor crimes.The Marshall Project's in-depth
investigation into this problem begat article titled "How
Incarcerated Parents Are Losing Their Children Forever" and included
heart-wrenching personal stories.One North Carolina woman with four children wrote bad checks and
fraudulently applied federal disaster relief after Hurricane Floyd
destroyed her trailer home.She did it just to get by, she said, and
had never faced any charges of child abuse or neglect.Her oldest child
went to live with her father while her three toddlers were adopted out.The woman was banned from seeing them again."I know what I did was wrong, and I had to pay the price my
actions," she said."But this is the most extreme price there is."Losing parental rights has happened to thousands of parents and has
become almost routine.A Philadelphia woman was sentenced to just less
than 15 months receiving stolen property.A few weeks after her
release, a hearing was scheduled on whether to terminate her parental
rights, and she had to shout at the judge from the back of the
courtroom, "The mother is sitting right here!I'm here!"She got to
keep her children.After The Marshall Project analyzed 3 million child welfare cases from
across the country, it realized a most startling fact: Incarcerated
parents who have not been accused of neglecting, abusing or endangering
their children (or even abusing drugs or alcohol) are more likely to
have their parental rights yanked than those who have physically or
sexually assaulted their children.Imagine, people who have sexually
abused their own children have a better chance of maintaining their
rights as a parent than people who forged a few checks.It is a fact that some people should never have children.Some people
are not equipped or not responsible enough, and some are simply career
criminals.Their offspring should be given a better chance at life
through adoption.But something is clearly wrong with the bigger
picture.Laws get passed; laws get enforced.And when we clearly see the flaws
in those laws, it is imperative that the situation be fixed.An
"incarcerated parents' bill of rights" is expected to be introduced in
Congress soon by Rep. Gwen Moore, D-Wis.It should be passed the
sake of these children who deserve to have a relationship with their
parents.— Diane Dimond is the author of Thinking Outside the Crime and Justice
Box.Contact her at , follow her on :
@DiDimond, or here to read previous columns.The opinions
expressed are her own.Related Stories
Priestly Sex Crimes, December 29, 2018
Crime, December 22, 2018
,
December 8, 2018
—
There Aren’t Any, December 1, 2018
,
November 24, 2018
Reform, November 17, 2018
,
November 10, 2018
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Last Monday, the High Court
allowed James to adopt Noel, whom he fathered in the United States
through a surrogate mother.From left: Shawn, Noel and James (not their real names) visiting the
Botanic Gardens' Swan Lake yesterday.Watched closely by their parents, they
squealed and laughed as they ran along the banks feeding the catfish,
swans and occasional turtle.Among them was five-year-old Noel (not his
real name).The boy, who is tall his age, laughed when a food pellet he threw
landed on a swan's back.Unlike the other children there, however, Noel
has two fathers.Last Monday, one of the Singaporean men got the green light from the
courts to adopt Noel.In a decision that it reached "with not insignificant difficulty", the
High Court allowed James to adopt Noel, whom he fathered in the United
States through a surrogate mother.The pathologist had brought the Pennsylvania-born boy to Singapore in
2013, but his bid to adopt him was rejected by a district judge last
year.He then appealed.In its judgment grounds, the three-judge court stressed that its
decision to reverse the district court's ruling was based on the
welfare of the child, and "should not be taken as endorsement of
what the appellant and his partner set out to do".The Ministry of Social and Family Development has since said that gay
parents hoping to adopt their biological children may find it harder to
argue in court that they are not "deliberately" going against
Singapore's stance against same-sex family units.For now, though, the two men are looking forward to a merrier Christmas
with Noel.Shawn, 46, whom the boy calls Daddy, works in the marketing industry
and will be whipping up dishes such as oxtail stew and nasi ulam for
the extended family this festive season.James, also 46, whom Noel calls Papa, says: "We are so relieved - it's
going to be a good holiday."Their mood is a far cry from this time last year, when they found out
on Boxing Day that James' application to adopt Noel had been rejected.They were preparing to go to Bangkok to let Noel visit a local safari,
but the news " put a dampener" on the vacation, James recalls.Much of the first half of this year was spent working with lawyers on
the appeal.The July hearing was extended from three hours to 1½ days
as the judges grilled their lawyers and the State Counsel on what was
in the best interest of the child."Whoever was arguing the case at the time looked like they were going
to lose," James recalls of the uncertainty that, he adds, led him to
suffer bouts of depression.They say Monday's judgment was unexpected, and the turn of events means
they can make firmer plans their family."We put off buying blinds the home because we weren't sure if we'd
still be in Singapore next year," says James.He had started looking into job options in Australia, should the family
have no choice but to uproot."Our elderly parents were living in fear that they may lose their
children and grandson," he adds.Noel will enter primary school in 2020 and the ruling means that the
fathers can now start securing a spot in a local primary school.James jokes that he missed the deadline to qualify as alumnus for
his alma mater, which would offer Noel better chances of enrolling in a
top primary school."I've asked the Ministry of Education if they can make exception,"
he says, laughing at his one act of "kiasu"-ism (fear of losing).More immediately, they tasked their lawyers at Eversheds Harry Elias
with finalising the adoption paperwork, in which James will be listed
as Noel's legitimate father.This would make it easier Noel to get
Singaporean citizenship.Even so, they worry that the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority may
not grant Noel citizenship despite the adoption."The reality is that until Noel is allowed to stay in Singapore on a
long-term or permanent basis, we are unable to make any concrete plans
the future," James says.PLAN TO START A FAMILY
James and Shawn were introduced to each another at a mutual friend's
party in 1998, and have been together since.Six years ago, they
decided to start a family.They had helped raise Shawn's nephew, now a
teenager, and the experience made them realise they wanted a child of
their own."The desire to have our own children became stronger when we approached
mid-life," James says."It didn't matter if our children weren't
biologically ours."They approached a few local adoption agencies, read up on government
policies, and asked friends in the know advice.They found out that
single men were allowed to adopt only boys.But gay men would not be
able to adopt at all.A High Court ruling on Monday (Dec 17) allowed a gay Singaporean man to
adopt his biological son.Related Story
Minister Desmond Lee addresses concerns over ruling in gay man's adoption
case
Related Story
Spotlight on surrogate kids of LGBT, straight couples
Related Story
Ministry to study if policies need to be reviewed after court allows gay
Singaporean to adopt surrogate son
Related Story
Landmark High Court case allows Singaporean gay dad to adopt surrogate son
"We didn't want to conceal facts ourselves - our sexual
orientation and our relationship - so we decided this avenue was not
us," says James.They were put in touch with some Singaporean couples who had their
children through overseas surrogacy and were raising them in Singapore
as citizens or permanent residents."We felt that was option - to
our knowledge, there are no existing laws prohibiting overseas
surrogacy," he says.The men settled on the US because of its well-established surrogacy
laws, and signed up with agency there in September 2012.Four months
later, they flew to Los Angeles to meet the woman who was to be the
surrogate mother, a Latina with three children, with whom they remain
in touch.In total, US$200,000 (S$275,000) was paid out but most of this
went to medical fees and insurance.The woman, who holds a full-time
job, pocketed US$25,000 to cover her expenses during the
pregnancy and recovery period.In November 2013, the men returned to
witness Noel's birth.Noel has never asked why he does not have a mother, Shawn says."Besides, he is surrounded by a strong female presence," he says,
counting his and James' mothers, sisters and their domestic helper.In any case, any maternal instincts the fathers were lacking were made
up with the help of YouTube tutorials and several thick parenting
tomes.James says Noel has said he wants a sibling."Shawn and I experienced
the joy of growing up with a sibling, so we would love Noel to have
a younger sibling."They have several viable embryos left with their agency, and are
keeping their options open.James does not see the family as a poster child change in
relatively conservative Singapore."Some friends lauded us being brave.But we are merely fighting for
our family to exist in this country we call home," he says.To be fair, he adds, the majority of Singaporeans have been
overwhelmingly kind - from the two elderly Muslim employees at Tan Tock
Seng Hospital who, without the men saying a word, told the couple their
son was lucky to have two daddies, to their Christian neighbour who
gave them a car seat.Says Shawn: "If anybody has said anything malicious our family,
it's never been to our face."Looking back, was it all worth it?"There have been so many times when my spirit was spent, the wind
completely knocked out of my sails," James says."But having a child running around the house really rejuvenates me, you
know?I wouldn't have it any other way."A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday
Times on December 23, 2018, with the headline 'Family life takes shape
gay couple after adoption ruling'.Reach us
here.Advertise with us
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pregnant teenage girls in high school dealing with the hardships of
teenage pregnancy.Each episode featured a different teenage girl, with
the episode typically beginning when she is 4 1⁄2 – 8 months into her
pregnancy.The episode typically ends when the baby is a few months
old,” shares online source on the series that sparked the ongoing
Teen Mom franchise.Since the first series of 16 and Pregnant aired in 2009, fans have been
obsessed with the show.16 and Pregnant spurred the shows still in
existence; Teen Mom OG, Teen Mom 2, Young and Pregnant, Teen Mom UK and
the upcoming Teen Mom Australia.Many fans of the franchise loyally
follow a lot of the series but many will admit that the OG’s are
without a doubt the favorite of the whole series.The first season of 16 and Pregnant aired almost a decade ago, so fans
have been following the OG girls just ten years.Crazy,
right?And over those ten years, a lot of facts have come to light that
were never introduced or known when 16 and Pregnant aired.So what
exactly don’t fans know the babies (who are now nine and ten!)of
the original series?Below is a list of 20 facts that were never known
the babies born during season one until after the series aired.20 Ebony Lost Custody Of Her Daughter Jocelyn
www.teenmomjunkies.com
If you haven’t been following from the beginning you might be thinking,
Ebony who?Ebony Jackson is one of two girls from the first season of
16 and Pregnant who were not invited to be featured on the spin-off
series, Teen Mom.On her episode of 16 and Pregnant, Ebony gave birth to a baby girl,
Jocelyn.When her daughter turned two, though, Ebony lost custody.“After welcoming daughter Jocelyn, Ebony married Josh Rendon and he
joined the air force.However, the pair was arrested and their then
2-year-old daughter was taken away by CPS in 2011 when authorities
discovered they had untenable living conditions,” shares Starcasm.net.19 And Eventually Another Daughter, As Well
www..com
Ebony eventually welcomed a second daughter, whom she, unfortunately,
lost custody of as well.“After (literally) cleaning up their act,
Ebony and Josh regained custody of their daughter in 2012 — shortly
before welcoming their second daughter, Jayda.Ebony and Josh split
less than a year later and he reportedly has custody of their two
daughters,” reports Starcasm.net.In 2015, Ebony gave birth to a third daughter, shared with
then-boyfriend James Baldrick.Since then, Ebony has kept a low-profile
this year that Ebony is now a single mother of three.18 Weston Owen-Gosa Encountered Health Issues
www.okmagazine.com
Whitney Purvis is the other cast member of 16 and Pregnant who was not
invited to be featured on Teen Mom.Many fans will remember that
Whitney was pregnant at the same time as her mother.On her episode of
16 and Pregnant she welcomed a son, Weston Owen-Gosa with her
then-boyfriend Weston Lewis-Gosa.“After Whitney wrote a long message on the struggles of
being a teen parent to a child with a medical condition, fans asked
what Weston had.'He has alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, a genetic
disease that affects the liver and lungs,' she responded,” shared
www.okaymagazine.com
Whitney has since had another son and has been in and out of headlines
her antics.She and her children’s father have both been in and out
three times within four years after the show aired.Whitney herself,
also was in and out of trouble, including getting busted stealing
and later breaking into Gosa’s home.Things as of late seemed to have calmed down this 16 and Pregnant
star, who is no longer with her child’s father.If you want to follow
along, she keeps her up to date @chefwhit
16 Sophia Abraham’s Father Passed Away
www.usweekly.com
Though it was never mentioned in Farrah Abraham’s episode of 16 and
Pregnant, the father of her daughter, Derek Underwood, tragically
car accident happened on December 28th, 2008, two months before Sophia
was born.Fans have seen the topic discussed on Teen Mom OG, including visits to
Underwood’s family.“The 28th comes up every year me — and I went
through depression and a hard time and Sophia, as a child, has gone
through her own , ‘What happened to my dad?’ And
www.newslocker.com
Fans have since watched Sophia grow-up right in front of their eyes.Sophia was featured on six seasons of Teen Mom OG, after her initial
appearance on 16 and Pregnant, where viewers literally saw her from day
one of her life.Up until earlier this year that is.Farrah quit the Teen Mom franchise
earlier this year when producers made her choose between the show and
her other business endeavors, which MTV deemed too inappropriate.Though Farrah and Sophia are no longer featured on Teen Mom, you can
still follow them both on social media, where they have very active
accounts.Sophia even has her own YouTube channel.14 Bentley Is Over Achiever- Just Like His Mom!www.pictame.com
In the description of Maci Bookout’s 16 and Pregnant episode, MTV
described her as a classic popular teenage overachiever, and it looks
like Bentley is following her footsteps in the over-achieving
department.Not only is he awesome big brother, more on that later, but he
excels at sports and in a recent episode of Teen Mom OG, viewers learn
that Benny has expressed interest in attending private school, mostly
the baseball team.Over the years, fans have fallen in love with
Bentley Edwards his charming and adorable demeanor.It’s definitely
safe to say that he is taking after his Mama.Featured Today
22 Adorable Photos Of Celeb Dads Twinning With Their Kids
20 Pics Of Katie Holmes Twinning With Suri (And 5 Of Her With Tom Cruise)
20 Things The Public Never Knew Mariah Carey And Her Kids
13 Catelynn & Tyler’s Parents Were Not Supportive Of Their Adoption
www.heavy.com
Though it was covered in their 16 and Pregnant episode, Catelynn and
Tyler’s decision to place their first daughter into adoption would go
on to be a rough topic in their family years.“Their family was not
supportive at ALL of their decision to place the baby up adoption.Tyler's mom, Kim, was the only supportive one in their family,” writes
amongst their families, and a real struggle Catelynn and Tyler to
deal with.They shared all of this of course, on the show, and
sometimes even in therapy sessions.12 But They Would Eventually Accept It And Meet Carly
www.mtv.com
Eventually, though, the family would come to terms with the decision
and they would even get to see Carly in person, at Catelynn and Tyler’s
wedding.Carly’s parents asked privacy from the family, though they
did attend the wedding, so family members did get to see and interact
with Carly.One of the sweetest moments of their wedding was Tyler sharing a dance
with Carly.“In a tissue-worthy surprise dance, Catelynn, Tyler, and
Teresa dance with Carly and little Nova.There is not a dry eye in the
room when Tyler says: 'this is the best day ever in my life,' life'"
www.mtv.com
“During Season 6 Opens a New Window.of the hit MTV show, Brandon and
Teresa issued a simple request — to stop talking their daughter
on TV and social media, or risk losing their visitation,” writes
the show.Things did cool down eventually and, though Carly can no
longer be filmed, she is still mentioned on the show.Viewers still get
to hear Carly through Catelynn and Tyler’s conversations with
Carly’s parents.They occasionally share pictures from visits as well,
though Carley’s face is never shown.10 But Fans Still Get To Their Fix Of The Baltierra Babies
www.people.com
Even though fans don’t see Carly anymore, they still get their fix of
Baltierra babies!In 2015, Catelynn gave birth to another girl, Novalee Reign Baltierra.Nova is the cutest little girl, and viewers cannot get enough of her!Additionally, Cate and Tyler are expecting a third child, another girl
in March of 2019.“The Teen Mom OG stars shared their unborn daughter’s
name during their visit to a 4-D ultrasound imaging studio, where they
got a better look at their baby.'What name are you thinking?'Catelynn’s doctor asked them.'Tezlee,' Tyler responded.'Tezlee it
www.nydailynews.com
Fans saw Amber and Gary’s tumultuous relationship play out on her
episode of 16 and Pregnant.Things never really got better the
Shirley, is the more suitable parent their toddler, Leah, and
awarded him primary custody.Though Child Protective Services has been
on the case, Shirley received custody not because Portwood is unfit
mother, TMZ reports.According to court testimony, the agency made the
recommendation that Shirley take over raising the child because
www.mtv.com
Amber’s path did not get any cleaner a while and she ended up
spending over a year in jail.But today, the mother is doing very well
despite her battles with depression and her bipolar disorder.Leah is
now 11 and remains in full custody of Gary, though she still has visits
with her mom.Despite their past, Amber and Gary seem to be in a great place and have
a great co-parenting relationship.Teen Mom fans love Gary’s wife
Kristina and often sing her praises as a mother herself, she has two
daughters of her own and she is a wonderful step-mother to Leah.7 Amber Now Has A New Son
www.usweekly.com
Despite her rocky past, Portwood does seem to be in a very great place.She is dating Andrew Glennon, whom she met while she was filming
Marriage Boot Camp with her ex, Matt.Matt and Amber’s relationship
obviously did not work out and shortly after, Portwood announced her
relationship with Glennon.In November of 2017, Amber announced she and her boyfriend were
expecting a baby.James Andrew Glennon was born May 8th, 2018.Teen Mom
OG fans have gotten to see the sweet little boy, named James, and his
big sister together many times on the show.Amber has also shared with
viewers that she is struggling with post-partum depression and has
recently expressed interest in leaving the show.6 Carly’s Adoption Was Very Emotional MTV Producers
www.etonline.com
Before the fourth wall was broken on the series, viewers of the show
never had the producers perspective at all.So obviously nobody knew
how the producers were handling the emotional turmoil of the things
they were filming.“If I had to isolate one of the most life-changing moments not only in
my professional career but in life, it was to be there and see
Carly’s adoption.When do you get to
see a live adoption and the handing over of a child from one family to
another take place right in front of your eyes?Usually, that’s a
private, very closed-door situation but we were all there at that
moment.To this day, it’s one of the most amazing, amazingly powerful
pieces of television that I’ve ever seen,” shared Executive Producer
www.intouchweekly.com
Maci Bookout has been a fan favorite since her episode of 16 and
Pregnant aired.Fans felt her when she was treated poorly by her
baby’s father, Ryan Edwards.The couple struggled with their
relationship on her episode of 16 and Pregnant and the struggle only
continued years, as shown on Teen Mom.The couple split good in 2010.And though they have both moved on,
they continue to struggle to find common ground when it comes to
co-parenting Bentley.“...Bookout and Edwards to continue to face
trials in their relationship, including Edwards’ ongoing battle with
www.popculture.com
As it turns out though, Bentley is a pretty awesome big brother, and he
has a lot of experience at it!When Maci announced her second pregnancy on she responded to an
MTV question Bentley becoming a big brother with the following
tweet, “@MTV he is very excited!I can already tell he is going to be
very caring and very protective of his little sister!#AskTeenMom”
Bentley is now a big brother to Jayde and Maverick, who Maci shares
with her now husband Taylor McKinney.Bentley is also a big brother to
Jagger and Hudson, who are the children of Ryan Edwards and his now
wife, Mackenzie Edwards.3 And Maci Finally Met Her Match In Taylor McKinney
www.sheknows.com
In October of 2016, Maci married her boyfriend of three years, Taylor
McKinney.“I am the anchor that supports his dreams and determination," she
captioned a cute photo collage of the pair."He is the safety that
holds me each time I reach another star.We are a team.We are best
friends.We will always be better together."Maci shared in a caption
of a sweet engagement photos posted to .The couple has a clothing line together, Things That Matter, and seem
to keep very busy.If you want to see their gorgeous new house, Google
it!2 Bentley, Leah, and Sophia Would Continue To Know Each Other
www.bustle.com
One thing viewers never could have guessed is that we would still be
following the storylines of these children almost a decade later.Many
fans have literally watched these kids grow up before their eyes, so
it’s no wonder they get so invested in the show!It’s been interesting
to see the dynamic between the kids throughout the years as well.Though, as the kids have gotten older, and the drama a little more
intense (to say the least), the kids have not been featured together on
reunion episodes quite some time.Still, it’s fun to keep up with
all of the kids!1 And We Are Still Following Their Storylines Into 2019!www.okmagazine.com
As if watching them grow up isn’t enough, fans will be following the
storylines into 2019.Though fans will no longer see Sophia, they will
continue to see Leah and Bentley on their screens on Mondays.In
addition to the storylines of Maci, Amber, and Catelynn, many fans are
familiar with the fact that two new moms were added to the OG franchise
this season.So fans are also seeing the storylines of two completely
new moms, Bristol from ‘Life’s a Tripp’ and Cheyenne Floyd from MTV’s
‘Are You The One?’ Will we still be following the storylines of these
kids when they are teenagers themselves?At this rate, it looks like
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Pets at Humane Society shelter wait adoption
Ruidoso News
Published 2:02 PM EST Jan 2, 2019
The shelter operated by the Humane Society of Lincoln County offers a
variety of dogs and cats in different breds, colors, coats and
temperament.Featured this week is Jasper, a very out-going 1 1/2 -year-old Husky /
Rottweiler mix.He is very social w/ people, kennel trained and walks
well on a leash.Jasper weighs 72 pounds and has a shiny
black/tan colored coat.
Jasper
Courtesy/HSLC
Sam
Courtesy/HSLC
Sam is a handsome Black Labrador Retriever, who loves to socialize w/
people and other animals.He can be a little shy at first,
but he really loves having his head scratched, and his belly rubbed.He weighs 75 pounds and he keeps his kennel fairly neat.
Molly
Courtesy/HSLC
Molly is one of two stray pups found dumped at Walmart.Molly is a
sweet, friendly shepherd mix, who is 6 months old and is very
social with people and other dogs.Molly is very close with her sister
Mindy.Both these girls are playful and very affectionate.[75f50390-45aa-411d-9eb8-4f120cd1f32f-Charlie.jpg?width=1080&quality=50
]
Charlie
Courtesy/HSLC
Charlie is very sweet and likes attention.Charlie is 4 1/2 months
and he'd love to have a new home.He is friendly and social w/ people
and other cats, and likes cuddling.If you might like to add Charlie to
your family come visit him at the Humane Society of Lincoln County.
Dugar
Courtesy/HSLC
This 5 year old short haired orange tabby is Sugar; Her owner was
unable to care her, so we are going to find her a new Furr-Ever
Home.Sugar is litter box trained and enjoys being indoor cat.She
is very quiet, and loves to be pet.[15b9d135-74b8-442a-8da0-27f7766f81a6-Catstello.jpg?width=1080&quality=
50]
Catstello
Courtesy/HSLC
Catstello is a very handsome 5 month old kitten.He is very spunky,
playful and full of life.Catstello was brought in as a stray with his
brother Babbit,.Both are healthy, happy, out going boys, ready to find
their new loving homes.The shelter is at 430 Gavilan Canyon Road and can be contacted at
575-257-9841.Published 2:02 PM EST Jan 2, 2019
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What is the truth behind Resistance's forced adoption storyline that really
got people talking?It’s loosely based on the incredibly story of Cork spies Florence and
Josephine O’Donoghue.By Rónán Duffy Monday 7 Jan 2019, 8:30 PM
1 hour ago 8,283 Views 8 Comments
Share15 Tweet Email1
Simone Kirby as Ursula Sweeney in Resistance.Image: RTÉ Player
Simone Kirby as Ursula Sweeney in Resistance.Simone Kirby as Ursula Sweeney in Resistance.Image: RTÉ Player
RTÉ’S NEW WAR of Independence drama Resistance began last night,
prompting the usual online debate the dramatisation of historical
events.Creator Colin Teevan was expecting as much, telling TheJournal.ie that
dealing with reaction is all part and parcel of making TV
shows.Teevan is especially used to the reaction, having also been behind 1916
drama Rebellion from three years ago.Resistance is a direct follow-up to Rebellion, following several of the
same characters from the Easter Rising to the War of Independence.When he spoke to us, Teevan said that some of the best stories he came
across when researching the show were not from gun battles or the
high politics but from “the little asides of history”.It was one such subplot that got a lot of people talking on .In last night’s Resistance, a character working in Dublin Castle called
Ursula Sweeney was shown fighting to see her son who had been taken
from her by nuns in a convent.We heard that Sweeney’s son is to be adopted to a wealthy family in
Boston against her wishes and that there is little she can do it.In desperation, she’s put in contact with the IRA and is told they may
be able to get her son back if she starts feeding them information.Judging by the reaction online, the inclusion of a forced adoption
storyline seemed to be divisive among those watching the show.
Hi people giving out why their showing fictional parts such as
the women struggles etc in the show!The reason is cos the women of
that time & their stories NEVER got propr told until now!I'm glad
#RESISTANCE in including other storylines
— A.C (@lilmizzirish) January 6, 2019
Source: A.C/
What some pointed out however is that this particular storyline is
based on fact, even if the true life story is based in Cork and not
Dublin.The case concerned is that of Josephine Marchment Brown and the
retrieval of her eldest son from Wales by the IRA.Josephine subsequently married Florence O’Donoghue, Cork’s top IRA spy
who later became a historian.Their story is told in the book Florence and Josephine O’Donoghue’s War
of Independence and it details the influence the forced adoption
storyline we saw in Resistance.Josephine was the daughter of RIC officer from Pallaskenry, Co.Limerick and her first husband was Coleridge Marchment, who died in the
First World War.PastedImage-28239 Florence and Josephine O’Donoghue.Source:
irishacademicpress.ie
After his death, Josephine lost custody of her eldest son Reggie to her
parents-in-law following a bitter custody battle.During this period, Josephine worked at the Victoria Barracks and was
secretary to the head of the British Army in Munster and she was put in
touch with the IRA by a local priest.It was agreed that she would pass on details of British troop movements
to the IRA who then kidnapped her son from Wales and brought him back
to Ireland.The operation was partly organised by Florence O’Donoghue and was
approved by Michael Collins.Even when her son was returned, he stayed with Josephine’s sister and
she could only meet him in secret the duration of the War.Her work became a vital source of information amid the intense fighting
in the region and even more key when Munster was placed under martial
law in 1920.Josephine married Florence in secret on 27 April 1921 and they lived
out their lives in Loughlene, Douglas Road, Cork with their two sons
and two daughters, and her two sons from her first marriage.The kept the story of Reggie secret 40 years and Josephine’s work
as a spy went largely untold until the 1950s.She never claimed a
military pension she was entitled to.Short URL
About the author:
the author
Rónán Duffy
@ronanduffy
ronan@thejournal.ie
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Myth: Adoptive parents aren’t the child’s “real” parents
Truth: Biology doesn’t make a family.What bonds children to their
parents isn’t their DNA, but rather the love they are given.“Many
adoptive parents question this before having a child is placed with
them—it is a natural fear to have,” says Jennifer Van Gundy, LMSW,
director of social services the agency American Adoptions, who was
adopted herself.“The reality is a ‘real mom’ or a ‘real dad’ is
created by nurturing a bond, loving a child, and providing them
everything you can.Just like biological parents, adoptive parents feel
love their child in the middle of the night, after a soccer goal is
scored, or there is A on a project.” Research shows adoptive parents
are incredibly nurturing and attentive, possibly because many wished
so long to have a child.When referring to the child’s biological
parents, the term “birth parents” should be used instead of “natural”
or “real parents.” Find out more things parents of adopted children
wish you knew.Myth: Children who are adopted won’t “fit in” to the family
Truth: Parents and children, adopted or not, will always have some
struggle.Parenting is hard, and even parents raising biological
children wonder where their kids “came from” sometimes.“Both
biological and adoptive parents can struggle at times in their
relationship with their children,” says Bobbi J. Miller, Ph.D, LMFT, a
family therapist who specializes in adoption.“Based on personality
factors and their own individual backgrounds, many parents find it
easier to connect with some children than others.” But that isn’t due
to any inherent “blood is thicker than water” idea.“Someone actually
had the audacity to say to me when they found out we were licensed for
foster to adopt, ‘It’s not fair to have bio children and adopt—you’ll
never love the kids you adopted like you will a bio child,” adoptive
mom Lindsey says.Of course, this wasn’t true, she says.Myth: Birth mothers “give up” their children because they don’t want them
Young mom with her 5 years old daughter and 4 months old baby dressed
in pajamas are relaxing and playing in the bed at the weekend together,
lazy morning Alena Ozerova/Shutterstock
Truth: Birth mothers deeply love their children and want what’s best
them.For birth mothers, the choice to place their child for
adoption is often the hardest they will ever make, says Van Gundy.It’s
not that they don’t want their children; it’s that they want more for
them than they are able to give.“Birth mothers place their children in
adoptive homes out of love while also bearing extreme loss,” says Tasha
Blaine, LMSW, manager of special needs adoption at the agency
Spence-Chapin.“Birth mothers think their children, see their
children, grieve the loss of their children, are proud of their
children and, of course, want their children to feel loved, follow
their dreams, and live to their fullest potential.” Instead of saying
“give up,” phrase it as “make adoption plan”—a little wordier, but
more correct.“I did not give up my child—I terminated my parental
rights so someone else could be her parent,” says birth mother
Rebekkah.“While I could have been her parent, they were in a better
situation and could give her more opportunities than I could
then.” Here are more things every parent of young children desperately
wants you to know.Myth: Adoptive parents should be concerned the birth parents will want the
child back
A family, childhood, creativity, activity and people concept - happy
father and little son playing with toy blocks at home
Lopolo/Shutterstock
Reality: Birth mothers understand the permanency of adoption.“Adoption
is not a Lifetime movie!” says adoptive mom Kristin.The myth that the
birth mother will try to take the child back persists today in popular
films, TV shows, and books.Adoptive mom Denise even heard it from a
medical professional.“My doctor recommended that we change our names
and move away so she couldn’t be found,” she says.Van Gundy says this
couldn’t be further from the right course of action.“It is best
practice parents considering placing a child adoption to
receive counseling and speak with their own attorney to ensure they
understand the decision they are making,” she says.“Birth parents will
go through a grieving process and may outwardly struggle with their
emotions, but that raw emotion doesn’t mean they want the baby back.”
Open communication between birth and adoptive families helps reassure
birth mothers their child is happy and loved.Myth: Birth mothers are unmarried teens or addicts
Portrait of happy young mother holding her little precious child on
shoulders, looking at him and laughing while baby smiling and looking
in mom eyes.Cookie Studio/Shutterstock
Truth: Birth mothers come from all walks of life.Although some birth
mothers are teens or have problems with drugs or alcohol, many others
are not.“In reality, birth mothers are as economically, educationally,
and ethnically diverse as the country we live in,” Blaine says.“They
range in age from tweens to women in their forties.They are high
school dropouts and college educated.They are married, and they are
single.” In addition, some birth mothers are already parenting other
children.“These women know the reality of what parenting a child
entails and they want what is best their infant and any children
they may already have,” Van Gundy says.Find out more secrets of the
happiest families.Myth: Open adoption is confusing the child
Truth: Open adoption helps children feel secure in their identity.An
open adoption is one in which children and birth families are in
contact, either through meetings or letters and pictures.“Openness
gives birth and adoptive families opportunity to develop a
relationship that can benefit them and the adopted person,” says
Antoinette Cockerham, LCSW, executive vice president of External
Affairs and Family Services at Spence-Chapin.“It gives children access
to their genetic heritage and can help the child develop a stronger
sense of self.It is a truthful way of forming family bonds.” A child
can never be loved by too many people—but open adoption does not mean
co-parenting.“A child knows who his or her parent is, and that is the
person who is there him every day when he wakes up in the morning,
and to comfort him if he gets hurt,” says Monica Baker, MSW, associate
director of domestic and special needs adoption at Spence-Chapin.Dr.
Miller agrees.“Children have the ability to navigate incredible
complexities in relationships, as long as they know they are loved,”
she says.“The world is increasingly full of diverse family
arrangements, and children are generally more open to this diversity
than the adults in their lives.”
Myth: Adoptive parents should fear their children will want to look their
birth parents
Family Rido/Shutterstock
Truth: Open adoption also alleviates children’s questions as to where
they came from, rendering birth parent searches obsolete.“I was placed
adoption in a period when closed adoption was the only option,
which lead to a lot of unanswered questions me,” Van Gundy says.“Often closed adoptions create the most confusion and leave room for
uncertainty and worry.” In addition, “In the past, not only were
adoptions closed but adoptive parents were encouraged not to tell their
children they were adopted—this creates a relationship based on a lie,”
Dr. Miller says.“Grown adoptees have shared how painful the lie was
and the resulting loss of trust they had in their parents.” Even if a
birth mother today chooses a closed adoption, adoptive parents should
welcome children’s questions.“Children can deal with a lot of
information as long as they have a trusting and attuned relationship
with their parents, and have the space to express their feelings about
what they learn,” Dr. Miller says.This adopted woman searched her
birth mother 33 years.Myth: Adoption is a “second best” way to make a family
Truth: Adoptive families couldn’t imagine it any other way.Although
many parents come to adoption through the heartbreak of infertility,
after a grieving process adoption then becomes their “first choice” in
family building.“Many women desire to become pregnant, and most people
do not seek out adoption as their first option when they start building
a family,” Van Gundy says.But, “often adoptive couples will look back
on their challenges to have a biological child and be thankful they
were led to adoption.It is impossible them to imagine not being
parents to their children whom they adopted.” Of course, not all
adoptions occur because parents are unable to have biological children,
either.Myth: Birth mothers can “scam” potential adoptive parents
Beautiful young asian woman with freckles and her son outdoors.Mother
brunette with dark hair holds her blond son in bear hood.Emotions on
baby face.Unusual appearance, diversity, heredity concept Vadim
Martynenko/Shutterstock
Truth: When going through agency, expenses are well-regulated.Most
birth mothers aren’t trying to deceive adoptive parents out of money.But when looking to adopt, it’s best practice to not go it alone and
instead use a licensed adoption agency.“This is a question that comes
up much more frequently as it relates to independent or attorney
adoption.In Spence-Chapin’s domestic infant adoption programs, you
will not incur fees to support individual birth parents,” says
Cockerham.“The expenses that prospective parents can pay in connection
with adoption are regulated by state law and vary from state to
state.Federal law provides protections against financial inducement in
international adoptions.” Asking the agency you work with how it
handles birth mother expenses will help avoid financial loss if a birth
mother changes her mind placing her child adoption.Read more
the real costs of adoption everyone needs to know.Myth: Adoption is expensive
mom Rido/Shutterstock
Truth: It depends.Yes, some domestic infant adoption and international
adoptions are expensive.“In most states, adoptive parents can pay a
birth family’s reasonable medical, legal, and counseling expenses,”
says Cockerham.Your adoption fees likely also go toward the counseling
of the many expectant mothers who end up not choosing to place their
baby adoption; as well as other agency expenses.But, it’s also
possible to adopt through foster care, where expenses are minimal.“If
you go through the foster care system many times it is free,” says
adoptive mom Crystal.“Also, is that you can’t ever
adopt a baby through foster care.If you foster to adopt, sometimes you
may get infant from the hospital and may be able to adopt that child
later.”
Myth: Transracial adoption isn’t a good way to create a family
Multiethnic family playing with happy baby son at home.Parent and
children relaxing together on the sofa at home in the living room.Little girl sitting on leg of dad looking her new cute brother.Rido/Shutterstock
Truth: Happy families can look all different ways.Adopting a child of
another race does have special considerations—but that doesn’t mean it
shouldn’t be done.“Who has the right to deny a child the love,
nurturance, and permanency of a loving family through adoption?” says
Mark Lacava, LCSW-R, executive vice president of the Modern Family
Center at Spence-Chapin.“There is no hard research that has supported
this concept.” However, adoptive parents need to make sure their
child’s race is celebrated and modeled in their life.“This means you
need to make space people in your life that look like your
child—friends, professionals that should be seen in your house and
community,” Lacava says.“Your child’s schools should have a large
percentage of children that look like them.” In addition, you need to
merge with your child’s identity just as they are merging with yours.“Love is not enough—you need to walk the walk, and join communities as
your child joined your family,” Lacava says.Dr. Miller says that white
families looking to adopt a child of another race need to be willing to
identify and address their own biases and privileges.As children grow,
parents should have realistic conversations with them race in
America today.The stories of these six foster kids finding their
forever home will melt your heart.Myth: Children who are adopted should be told they’re adopted when they’re
old enough to understand
Father And Son Discussing Basketball On Porch Of Home Monkey Business
Images/Shutterstock
Truth: Children who are adopted should never remember being told.If a
child grows up always knowing they were adopted, it’s simply part of
their identity and saves them the “who am I?” moment of a sit-down
reveal when they’re older.“If a child is told later in life that they
are adopted, it can lead the child to believe there is reason to hide
the information, that being adopted is shameful, a secret, or that it
should not be openly discussed,” Van Gundy says.Even infants and
toddlers can be told their adoption story in a simple way.“I was
raised always knowing I was adopted,” Van Gundy says.“The
conversations started small and I would simply say, ‘I am special, I am
adopted.’ As I grew older I was able to ask more questions and my
parents were able to answer on age-appropriate level.This helped me
embrace adoption as part of my story.” Families can open dialogue by
reading children stories adoption and creating a safe environment
them to ask questions.Myth: Children who are adopted are damaged emotionally
A Father and son in bed, happy time on bed Lopolo/Shutterstock
Truth: They’re just dealing with situations other children aren’t.There’s nothing inherently “wrong” with children who are placed for
adoption, although they may be made to feel that way by others who view
adoption negatively.“Children who are adopted are faced with some
additional life situations and circumstances they will need to deal
with,” Dr. Miller says.But, “in fictional media representations, the
trope of the adoptee is often quite stereotypical and does not include
the wide range of diverse experiences encompassed in adoption.” She
notes the TV show This Is Us as a more nuanced, less stereotypical
presentation of the complexities of being adopted.Myth: If you adopt you’ll get pregnant
Parents Sitting And Reading With Daughter At Home Monkey Business
Images/Shutterstock
Truth: That’s statistically unlikely.People remember the stories
they’ve heard of this happening—but they don’t remember the many more
occasions in which it didn’t.Adoption makes it no more likely that an
infertile couple will get pregnant than if they didn’t adopt.“This was
said to me by many people, including OB/GYN,” adoptive mom Mitzki
says.Adoptive mom Kristin had a similar experience.“I had a nurse say
that to me in front of my daughter’s birth mother before she was born!”
she says.Plus, this is extremely hurtful to say to hopeful adoptive
parents.“This reinforces the narrative that biological children and
the experience of being pregnant is superior to having a child who came
into your family through adoption,” Dr. Miller says.“This message is
harmful to all involved.”
Myth: Only perfect parents can or should adopt
Truth: There’s no such thing as a perfect parent.Adoption and foster
care agencies aren’t looking a picture-perfect family.“We are by
no means perfect, but we are capable of raising a child in a loving
home,” says adoptive mom Krystina.“The perfect parent doesn’t exist,
and it’s definitely not a requirement to adopt.” It’s best to be
upfront with adoption agency any concerns you have—but
adoption professionals know we’re all human.“Adoptive parents want to
love a child and spend much of their time dreaming of a child,” Van
Gundy says.“When a child joins their family it is fulfilling a dream
them.” Read this moving account of how one mother helped her
adopted son accept his “missing piece.”
Myth: Adoption is a one-time event
Thoughtful African American Boy holding his mother hand.Falcona/Shutterstock
Truth: Adoption is a lifelong process.Because adoption is part of a
child’s (and family’s) identity, it stays with them throughout their
life.“The children and adults involved in adoption continue to
experience life through the prism of the way the family came together,”
Dr. Miller says.As they grow, children may have new feelings and
concerns their adoption, which parents should be open to talking
about.“Every adopted child has a different story and will process
their story differently, and adoptive parents have no idea what this
will look like,” says adoptive mom Angelique.Adoptive mom Jill
describes adoption as a “legacy” that stays with the child and family.“The layers and depth to adoption are magnified as time passes,” she
says.“Understanding that adoption is not event, but a legacy is so
important.” Next, here are tiny but powerful ways you can encourage
your kids every day.Originally Published on sitename.com
Originally Published on Readers Digest
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Ashley Fetters
Oct 1, 2018
YINJIA PAN / Getty
“When you think of someone as your gift from God, maybe you can never
see them as anyone else,” writes Nicole Chung in the opening pages of
All You Can Ever Know, her new memoir growing up as a Korean
American adopted by white parents in Oregon.Throughout Chung’s
childhood, her deeply religious parents told her that God had meant for
the three of them to be a family, and so when Chung was just infant,
she’d arrived in their home as their miracle daughter.But as Chung, a writer, grew older and started a family of her own, she
began to wonder more and more the actual logistics of her
parents’ “miracle.” As she prepared the arrival of her own child,
she couldn’t shake lingering questions her background: Who were
the Korean immigrants who’d been on the losing end of her adoptive
parents’ gain, and why had they given her up?One family’s long quest to adopt a baby
The ensuing conflict between Chung’s loyalty to the beloved family
narrative and desperate curiosity her origins is the central
tension at the heart of her memoir, a bittersweet story Chung’s
experiences finding her birth parents after a “closed” adoption,
meaning that unlike in “open” adoption, she had no contact with them
growing up.It’s a story that resonates with me closely: I, too, am an
adopted Asian American daughter of white parents.I spoke to Chung
the complicated language and word choices that follow adoptees
throughout life, and the politics of having two families that are both
your “real” family.The conversation below has been edited length and clarity.
Ashley Fetters: In the book, you refer to both your adoptive family and
your biological family as simply your “family.” Often you’ll write just
“parents,” “mother,” or “dad” instead of “birth parents,” “adoptive
mother,” or “biological dad.” What made you decide to do that?Nicole Chung: Some of it was honestly accidental.But I do think about
them all as my family, very interchangeably.My relationships with them
are all different, but when I use the terms adoptive or birth as
qualifiers, they’re almost always the benefit of other people; I’ll
see a quizzical look on someone’s face and realize I said “father”
without qualifying it.It doesn’t mean, of course, that we have the same relationship, or that
I feel equally close to all of them.For various reasons, I’m not in
touch with my birth mother.But I still feel that innate respect for
those family bonds.Transracial adoption has a lot of critics—from both the left and the
right.Fetters: As adopted person myself, I always feel a little funny
using the words mother or father, unqualified, to describe anyone
other than the two people who raised me.It feels weirdly off-limits to
me.Did you initially feel a resistance to calling your biological dad
simply your dad, or was that natural to you from the start?Chung: It was not natural, no.I think maybe there’s a difference in
writing versus conversation, but eventually my thinking family
bonds expanded as a result of searching and finding my birth
family.I realized these are real bonds and links that we have—and even
if they were broken, they’re still there, in this fundamental way.It
was strange to me to deny that.The few times I’ve talked to my birth mother and the times I’ve met my
birth father, I don’t call them to their faces “Mom” and “Dad.” I have
different reasons with both of them.With my birth father, who I
actually have something of a relationship with, even though I do
sometimes refer to him as my father, it’s still not at that point where
I feel secure in doing that.Fetters: In the first part of the book, you describe the first time you
spoke to your birth mother.She calls you on the phone and says, “This
is your mother”—I’ll be honest, that rattled me to my core, just
imagining it.Chung: I mean, part of that is that English is her second language, and
she’s not as familiar with the terminology around adoption.I don’t
think she would ever think of herself as my “birth mother.” Maybe that
was a term that someone mentioned to her a long time ago, but it’s
probably not how she thinks it now.But yes, that was extremely
jarring.That’s not how I was used to thinking her at that point.Fetters: You also write that from a young age, people have asked you
your “real parents.”
Chung: My 10-year-old will still sometimes do that.She’ll catch
herself, but sometimes she’ll ask me a question my birth parents
and say “your real parents.” It’s funny, nobody taught her to do that.It’s instinctive slip that people make.The kid who asked me about
my real parents in first grade—it wasn’t like anybody told him to.It’s
just what people think.They think the biological aspect is what makes
it real, consciously or subconsciously.Fetters: What do you tell your daughter when she says that?Do you
correct her?Chung: I haven’t told her not to say it.I’ve explained to her that I
have two sets of parents, and they’re both my real parents in different
ways.So I say, “If you want me to be sure who you’re talking about,
you can refer to them by name,” because she knows their names.Or, “You
can say ‘your birth parents’ or ‘your adoptive parents,’ just so I’m
clear who you mean.” I haven’t reprimanded her or anything, but I have
said, you know, “I don’t think of one or the other as more ‘real,’”
even though I am closer to my adoptive family.I don’t have much use
that term real when it comes to family.Fetters: When I was fairly little, somebody at school or Sunday school
asked me who my real parents were, and when I came home, I in turn
asked my (adoptive) parents who my real parents were.I remember my mom
emphasizing to me that she was my “real mom.”
Chung: I probably had similar conversations with my parents from a
really young age.One of the most striking things reconnecting
with my birth family has been talking with my adoptive parents it
and having them realize these are also real family members.Our
relationships and our history are so different, but they’re still
legitimate family in some way.It’s ongoing process of understanding
that.It was easier them than I thought it would be, honestly, when
I did start reconnecting, to sort of acknowledge the realness of those
original family bonds.Maybe because I was adult, and they were
secure in our relationship at that point.Fetters: What were your conversations like with your adoptive mom about
the book?Chung: She’s really positive it.My father read a part of it,
too, before he died earlier this year.The thing I was most anxious
was, I didn’t know how I would respond if they contested my
memories.Of course, you can never be 100 percent sure that you
remembered everything with 100 percent accuracy.I felt like I’d
recorded this to the best of my ability, not embellishing, but what if
they told me, “That’s just completely not how it happened”?They didn’t.My dad said at one point, “This is your perspective.It
doesn’t have to be the book we would have written this.This is
your life, and these are your feelings.This is how you felt your
adoption and your childhood, and it’s really not our place to challenge
anything in it.”
Fetters: You’ve confronted your identity as adopted person in a much
more head-on way than a lot of other adopted people do.What advice
would you give to adoptees who are thinking searching more
information their birth families?Chung: Well, I’m not a counselor, and I’m not
qualified to give advice in this area.But with all the disclaimers, I
guess I would say, if they’re considering a search or reunion—if that’s
even option that they can explore, because of course many
adoptees it’s not—making sure they have a really good support system
and people to talk very frankly with everything that they’re
feeling.I didn’t always take this advice.I definitely had people in my corner,
but especially at the beginning of my search, I had it in my head that
this was such a personal decision that I had to make it on my own.I
talked to my husband and my parents, but part of me didn’t know what to
say while I was waiting.I’d always felt a little bit isolated by
adoption—it wasn’t something even many of the people closest to me
fully understood, because it was not their experience.I just remember
thinking, I have to do this on my own.In retrospect, I don’t know that that’s true.And once things really
started to happen, I talked more and more with other people.But the
initial decision to search was difficult and emotional, and sometimes I
wish I’d brought people in a little earlier than I did.The other thing is, I think people have to not expect neat or tidy
resolutions.That so rarely happens in life, or in families.It’s going
to bring up a lot of emotions.And there are just going to be things
you never can know; there are questions I just won’t get answers to,
period, and accepting that’s difficult.Hearing things that maybe you
don’t like or can’t understand—that’s difficult too.As much as you
can, be gentle and patient with yourself, and with as many people
involved as you can.Fetters: Over the past few decades in the United States, we’ve seen a
shift toward open adoptions over closed.My adoption was closed, like
yours.Have your experiences shaped how you think open versus
closed adoptions?If someone were to ask you now which way to adopt,
what would you say to them?Chung: I think, in general, it’s good that we’ve seen a trend toward
more openness in adoption.Of course, a huge number of the adoptions in
the U.S. are from overseas, so even if information is known the
birth family, it’s difficult to have open adoption internationally,
or maintain those ties across that kind of distance.And open adoption
isn’t some kind of cure the larger issues: The initial loss is
still there the birth parent and the adoptee.When people ask me if they should adopt, that is one thing I don’t feel
qualified to answer.So these days, instead of just unqualified
“yes” or something, I think I would probably just ask them some
questions, especially if they’re considering transracial adoption.Are
they really thinking these issues of race and identity and
prejudice and how they will discuss it with their child?Because it
can’t all be the fun cultural-exploration part.It also means you have
to have really tough conversations.Even if your child’s race doesn’t
matter to you, you have to be prepared the fact it will matter to
them.It will matter to other people.I think it’s worth looking really
closely at your communities, your neighborhoods, your school, maybe
your religious organization.What would it be like to be a child of
color in your social circle, in your community?It’s kind of the very
basic beginning point people who want to adopt transracially …
trying to put themselves in that child’s shoes and then looking really
honestly at where they live.People need to go into it realistically
and with their eyes open.We want to hear what you think this article.Submit a letter to
Rights Reserved.The Atlantic
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Steve MyallDeputy Features Editor
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It’s a good idea to read widely adoption when starting to think
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This week we have been highlighting the stories of children desperate
forever families and yesterday of a super-adopter dad.Hopefully we have inspired you to consider adopting.This guide put
together by First4Adoption will show you how to choose adoption
agency and give you ideas on what questions you might want to ask to
help you make the right decisions along the way.Am I eligible?If you are single; unmarried; aged over 40; gay or straight; actively
practising religion; unemployed; renting your home; married or in a
civil partnership; or if you have a disability.You can adopt a child from a different ethnic background to you own.Take the test or call the First4Adoption information line (0300 222
0022) to find out if you can apply.Is Adoption Right Me?It's important to find the adoption agency that is right you.(Image: Getty Images/Westend61)
Read More
forever home so they can grow up together
This can be the hardest thing to decide and to help you reach this decision.Talk to people – You’d be surprised how many people have adoption
stories to share.Read Adopters real life experiences It’s a good idea to read
widely adoption, especially other people’s experiences ,
when starting to think whether adoption is the right option for
you.Many adopters blog their day to day experiences sharing the ups
and downs of being a parent and this can help you envisage how your
situation might be.There are thousands of children who need a good home
Find agencies in your area and attend information sessions Agencies run
adoption information sessions and we recommend that you attend a few.Find out which agencies operate in your area by calling First4Adoption
on 0300 222 0022 or searching their online database .Information sessions are friendly, informal events that are usually
planned group sessions (but you can arrange a 1:1 with agency if you
wish).They provide opportunity to find out more how the agency
operates and will begin to give you idea of whether it’s the type of
agency you.In addition you will probably get the chance to speak to adopters.Prospective adopters often find contact with people that have been
through the process extremely valuable so we recommend that you prepare
some questions in advance to help you build your own personal adoption
picture and give you idea of what to expect.Questions may include:
What made you want to adopt?Did you know what age child you wanted to adopt?What made you think of adopting siblings/ Did you consider adopting
siblings?What support have you needed?(wider family, friends, professional)
What contact have you had with the birth family?Was this difficult?You may also want to find out more the children that need
adopting.More details their backgrounds and statistics on the children in
care can be found here .Adoption can sometimes be emotional journey (Image: Getty Images)
Read More
you should
Adoption is right me.What do I do next?Once you have gathered all the information you can and you’re convinced
that adoption is still the right option you you will pick an
adoption agency.Attending adoption sessions help you get idea of which agency you
think you could work with.It is really important to find adoption agency that is right for
you.You can choose to be assessed to be adoptive parent by a voluntary
adoption agency or a Local Authority adoption agency.Choosing agency may depend on many factors:
How easy is it to reach?Are they recruiting?How welcoming are they?What services and support do they offer?Meet the agency - more important than the practical considerations
above is the personal relationship and rapport you build with the
agency staff.Adoption is emotional journey and much of this will be made with
your agency.Finding people you are comfortable with is therefore
vitally important.This will help you decide if you want to start the adoption journey,
and help you to prepare being assessed to be approved as an
adoptive parent.There's more information on that here .Get In Touch
If you have any questions adopting visit
www.first4adoption.org.uk/
You can also follow First4Adoption the latest adoption news on
or on
Read More
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(KNWA) - A couple's wish of adopting a child they
fostered nearly a year came to a devastating halt.The 16 year old died in a drowning accident during a family day out.But Tuesday, they prepared to honor the teen in the same way they
always intended to - adoption.Basketball the Bosh's is more than a sport because it reminds the
family when a new member was ready to join the team.After 16-year-old Raymond spent almost a decade in foster care, Melissa
and Steve Bosh of Bella Vista stumbled across their missing piece."He chose to beat those statistics," Melissa Bosh said."That's why we
fell in love with him."But on Raymond's first Mother's Day, a fun Sunday turned deadly when he
drowned in Beaver Lake."I'll never forget the last thing he said to me," Melissa Bosh said."He said love you and I said 'I love you too, Raymond' and he said 'No
it's luv u like luv because the other way takes too long' and he went
into the water."That love reflected with one last trip to DHS where the couple's
journey of adopting Raymond was finally sealed."It didn't change anything by officially adding the name," Melissa Bosh
said."It just finally made it official."A day the Bosh's had been waiting since they met Raymond."He squeezed more into six months than I have seen other kids do in 16
years," Steve Bosh said."A true pleasure to watch."His spirit continues to live on at Ray's court."That's why today is so bittersweet," Steve Bosh said."We were just a
father and a son playing basketball.I'm Raymond's dad officially today
and I want to celebrate that with my son.That's what is hard me
right now."Copyright 2019 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved.This
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SPRINGDALE, Ark.-- Sharing is a big part of Marshallese culture.But
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children.But old island rituals may not translate into their American home."We have a phrase...it no matter where the child is,
how far the child goes, the child will eventually find his or her way
back to the natural family," said Melisa Laelan, the president of the
Arkansas Coalition of the Marshallese.In the Natural State, that's not always the case."In the Marshallese population, adoption is a very open thing.In
Arkansas law, it is not," said Josh Bryant, attorney in Rogers.With over 12,000 Marshallese people residing in Northwest Arkansas, and
many living in poverty, putting a child up adoption is one way
families live to see another day.Depending on the arrangement, birth
mothers can receive thousands of dollars and other benefits in exchange
their newborn."Vulnerable mothers know they will have their rent paid and food on the
table as long as they are pregnant and give their child up for
adoption.And so they get stuck in a cycle of pregnancy, adoption,
pregnancy, adoption, pregnancy, adoption.And they can never get out of
it," Bryant said.Some have even likened it to human trafficking, calling Marshallese
adoption a big business."There's a lot of money floating around.And so I think that may have
tainted how the practice is done sometimes," Bryant said.So who's to blame?Bryant points the finger at multiple groups.Although most often the victims, some biological parents realize they
can cash in on their child.A poor legislative scheme enables a process
full of loopholes.And crooked lawyers, representing the adoptive
parents, may make empty promises to expectant mothers in exchange for
their children and not necessarily look out anyone's best
interests."The birth mothers, most of the time, assume that's their attorney and
they don't understand that they have no legal representation going into
this process," said Andrea McCurdy, a family law attorney.That's why McCurdy and Michaela Montie created Shared Beginnings.It's
organization which works directly with mothers, to help them gain
access to health care, provide legal counsel and offer support."We want to make sure there is a different level of integrity in the
way we go this.We want to show them that we really care about
them," said Michaela Montie, who created Shared Beginnings.Bryant is also addressing the problem at the legislative level.He's
proposed a plan to Arkansas lawmakers which creates transparency,
ensures there's no coercion from lawyers and criminalizes the
solicitation of children."It is unconscionable someone to go to a pregnant woman and say, 'I
will give you money if you will place your child up adoption.'That
practice has got to stop," Bryant said.The plan is to get a draft in front of the general assembly in 2019.But before that happens, Laelan says the Marshallese culture can still
be celebrated, but must be updated."If we are worried adoptions and it is growing at the rate it is
growing now, then there needs to be more serious steps that we need to
take," Laelan said.Misconduct when it comes to adoption isn't exclusive to the Marshallese
people.It can be seen in vulnerable communities across the Natural
State.This is one of several in-depth stories our team has covered on both
the Marshallese population and adoption in Arkansas.To see our story on the history of the Marshallese people in Arkansas,
here.To see our story on the cost of adoption Arkansas families,
here.Copyright 2019 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved.This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.More Stories
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A Danville family shares adoption story, hopes more people consider fostering
children in need
By Ashley Boles |
Posted: Fri 7:47 PM, Nov 23, 2018
DANVILLE, Va. (WDBJ) - The holiday season is in full swing, the time of
year when you think everything you're thankful for.Maybe its a warm house, a family car, or it might just be a brother to
chase around the living room.Meet the Samuels."We've been knowing each other all our lives, but we got together 37,
40 years later, and we adopted two little boys, Alan, and William,"
said Joyce Samuel, the boys mother.Allen is 11, younger brother William is 9.They've been part of the
"Sam Fam" through foster care since they were 4 and 5, but the first
couple of months weren't so picture perfect."Oh they're just boys being boys (laughter) Well the reality of it is
yeah its boys being boys, with a lot of things that went along with it,
so it was a shock to my system," said James Samuel.The bothers came from a situation where they were neglected, behind in
school, experienced abuse, and didn't have much structure.That's no longer the case."They're just awesome young men, they love the Lord, my baby William,
loves to dance," said Joyce.That he does, just turn on Michael Jackson, and you're in a show.One that wouldn't have happened if it weren't James and Joyce."My prayer was just to do what I needed to do where I could get them to
a place that they could truly love and it wouldn't be superficial, and
that's where they are now," said Joyce."We are just two people who believe that every child should have a
right to make choices, and a right to a productive life," said James.Alan and William are well on their way.Alan wants to be apart of the
secret service when he grows up.William just made the honor roll at
school.Small victories, yet so much to be thankful for.
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What Instant Family Gets Right Adoption, According To The Director
By Mike Reyes
2 months ago
Random Article Blend
Adoption is something that we've seen come up in numerous films.Sure
enough, in almost every case, the subject is tackled with more or less
the same attitude.But what they tend to leave out are the more
positive sides of the adoption story.This is something
co-writer/director Sean Anders set out to correct when he created the
story this weekend's big release Instant Family, as you can see in
his remarks below:
There've been great movies the subject of adoption and foster
care, but unfortunately they a lot of times focus on the trauma and
the tragedy.They leave people walking away with feelings of fear
and pity and negativity and that sort of adds to the stigma.I
wanted to make a movie that doesn't shy away from the kind of
tragedy and trauma that is involved with it, but also gets into the
laughter, love, and the joy of a family coming together in that way.Talking with CinemaBlend during the Instant Family press day, Sean
Anders was asked how he felt the subject of adoption was handled
in the past, as well as how he approached it from a more personal,
corrective attitude.Just mention the subject of adoption to a
moviegoer, and they'd probably recall films like Losing Isaiah or, more
recently, Philomena, where the process of adoption is something that
feels more like a fearsome/family breaking practice.As adoptive father to three foster children himself, Sean Anders
obviously wouldn't let the subject continue to be treated in such a
stark manner.So he started to put together the story the film
in-between making the Daddy's Home films, with his co-writer from that
series, John Morris, providing assist.While Instant Family isn't a candy-coated fantasy that paints the
foster care experience as a concretely uplifting process, it does add a
level of heartfelt comedy into the mix.Throughout the film, we see not
only the adjustment process of the children that Mark Wahlberg's Pete
and Rose Byrne's Ellie are fostering with the intentions to adopt, we
also see the would-be parents attending group sessions to acclimatize
themselves to the situation as well.Instant Family could be seen as, in a sense, a step in the right
direction when it comes to films handling adoption.But there's
obviously more work to be done, and Sean Anders provided the following
advice to whomever decides to step into the ring next:
I would encourage anybody making a film on the topic of foster care
to make sure that they touch on who these kids are, and that even if
they're hurting and even if they're coming from a traumatic place,
that they're still just kids who need love, and need moms and dads
at homes to live in.And that these kids are also really strong.A
lot of times they are stronger than your average kid, because of
what they've had to persevere through.So I just wanted people to
have a better understanding of who the kids are.From the best place one can come from, square at the center of their
own heartfelt experience, Sean Anders set out to change how adoption is
shown in films.You can feel the success in the resulting film, Instant
Family, as the laughs aren't forced and the dramatic components are
handled with similar commitment to realism.Instant Family is in theaters now, offering another family friendly
option to partake in during this year's Thanksgiving season.
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Spring Hill family gets creative with fundraising to finance adoption journey
Angela Folds Special to Nashville Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK —
TENNESSEE
Published 8:30 AM EDT Aug 31, 2018
[6cbcfd7f-b63c-4c4c-9479-f1a3921dbfe3-Adoption3.jpg.png?width=1080&qual
ity=50]
Cory, Cooper and Sarah Jones of Spring Hill are adopting a child or
sibling pair from Haiti.Submitted
Cory and Sarah Jones of Spring Hill and their 4½-year-old son, Cooper,
are in the process of adopting a child or sibling pair from Haiti.The international adoption process is long, arduous and expensive, but
the family has great conviction and resolve to provide a forever home
to a Haitian orphan or orphans.“Our family has been serving in Haiti seven years and Cory has been
serving there three years.We have always had a deep passion for
the people and children of Haiti” Sarah Jones said.The young family has gotten very creative with fundraising efforts to
support their adoption expenses.They’ve sold a variety of merchandise
which a percentage of the proceeds is donated toward their adoption
expenses.They’ve created and sold original note cards.And recently
the family collected 6,050 pairs of gently worn shoes, which raised
over $2,000.[77c2bef3-3eb7-4299-be86-0eab48de8f19-Adoption1.jpg?width=1080&quality=
50]
Sarah Jones and her mother Kim Lynch pose in front of 6,050 pairs of
gently worn shoes, which raised over $2,000 toward the family's
adoption process.Submitted
Dollar by dollar they are working toward their goal of $30,000, which
is what they estimate the adoption will cost.On Saturday, Sept. 8, the Jones family is hosting a unique fundraiser
organized through a Nashville-based nonprofit called “Both Hands.”
Both Hands helps families raise funds their adoptions.A family
gathers a team of volunteers and Both Hands coaches them to coordinate
a service project fixing up the home of a widow or widower.The name Both Hands represents one hand helping a widow/widower and one
hand helping a orphan.“Our team is seeking sponsorships our service day in the same way
that someone might gain sponsorships running a marathon,” Sarah
said.The Joneses have chosen beloved family friend Moose Smith their
service project.Sarah Jones has known Moose since he was her piano
teacher at Franklin High School.“He played piano in our wedding.His wife of 48 years, Sue, went to be
with the Lord at the end of last year,” Sarah said.“We will be doing
work around the outside of his home mostly, lots of yard work and also
some siding, gutter and trim repairs.”
Smith said that he is grateful the service project because he is
recovering from surgeries due to osteomyelitis that took part of one
foot and is unable to do the work himself.“I’m so glad to be helped in this way and to know they will be helped
in the adoption process at the same time.Not only did I know Sarah and
her brothers from Franklin High, but the Joneses and I also share a
common commitment to children in Haiti,” Smith said.In addition to monetary donations, the family is also seeking gift card
donations to area grocery stores and home improvement stores to help
with the project expenses.“If we raise anything at all it will have been a great thing because in
the end we get to help a man we really love,” Sarah said.Donations that are sent directly to the Both Hands organization are tax
deductible.For more information, including how to donate, visit
fundraiser
More from Spring Hill: Automotive parts company Faurecia expanding to
Spring Hill, bringing 143 jobs
Published 8:30 AM EDT Aug 31, 2018
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Black Market Babies
Black Market Babies
Dozens of women from the Marshall Islands are traveling to the U.S.
every year to adopt out their babies to U.S. families despite
government efforts to crack down on this unique baby pipeline.We
examine the people and practices that are continuing to perpetuate
the problem.The Shark Chasers
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hurricane or tsunami.We examine the island’s vulnerabilities and
what steps are being taken to make it more resilient.Waiting In Pain
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Native American Families Once Faced A Similar Adoption Crisis
0
Experts say Marshallese adoptions would benefit from the rules put in
place to stop adoption abuse and cultural loss in Native American
tribes.By John Hill / November 28, 2018
Reading time: 3 minutes.Adoptions rattled entire culture.Children stripped of their
cultural identities, alienated from extended birth families.Biological
parents not understanding the consequences of adoption or getting a
chance to consider alternatives.The risk that entire way of life
was vanishing.Editor's Note
This is article is part of Civil Beat’s investigative series “Black
Market Babies.” here to read the other stories.Forty years ago, the same perils faced by the Marshall Islands
afflicted a population far closer to home — Native Americans.State
child welfare workers were forcibly removing children from their
families.As many as 35 percent were fostered or adopted by families
with no connection to their culture.In the Marshall Islands, babies are not being taken away by government
agencies.Instead, private lawyers arrange black market placements with
U.S. families in exchange birth mothers’ plane fare and living
expenses.But with both groups, critics have questioned whether birth parents are
truly consenting to the adoptions and whether they understand that the
child will be gone forever.In the case of Native Americans, Congress passed a law, the Indian
Child Welfare Act of 1978, to try to address some of the problems.The
ICWA promotes the placement of Native American children within the
community and mandates that families get intensive services to prevent
abuse and neglect and keep children in their homes, according to the
National Indian Child Welfare Association.The law also tried to assure that when parents consent to give up a
child, the decision is truly voluntary, said Connie Hickman Tanner of
the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.One provision, instance, assures that efforts have been made to
keep the family together — or at least keep the child within the tribe
— before resorting to a foster placement or adoption.Another requires
birth parents to give their consent in writing to a judge, and the
judge to certify that the consequences were fully explained in English
or interpreted into a language the parents understood.Consents cannot be given within 10 days of the birth.And the parents
can withdraw consent at any time before a judge issues a final decree.The law even allows parents who allege fraud or coercion within two
years of the adoption to ask a judge to return the child.Marshallese parents who do private adoptions, by contrast, are subject
to the laws of the state where the adoption takes place.Most state
laws are not nearly as protective.“This is the kind of thing you’d want this population,” Tanner
said.Now the ICWA is under siege.In October, a federal judge in Texas
declared the ICWA unconstitutional, alleging it discriminates against
couples who are not Native American trying to adopt Native children.It’s uncertain whether that decision will be upheld on appeal, or
whether judges in other districts might reach the same conclusion. Sign up our FREE morning newsletter and face each day
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Latvian government approves changes to foreign adoption rules
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october 31, 2018, 8:49 | Society | Authors:
eng.lsm.lv (Latvian Public Broadcasting)
The outgoing Latvian government decided on October 30 to restrict
adoption of children to foreign countries, allowing such adoptions only
in cases where the adoptive parents are the child’s relatives.Under current legislation, foreign citizens can adopt children that are
being raised in foster families if there are no possibilities in Latvia
to ensure proper care of these children in families.The new adoption
regulation will only allow adoption from foster families if the
adoptive parents are the child’s relatives.Like before, foreign citizens will be able to adopt children of their
spouses, children from custodian families if the child is their
relative, as well as children from orphanages if there is no
possibility to provide a family environment to the kid in Latvia.The issue triggered a heated discussion at the Cabinet meeting, with
Welfare Minister Janis Reirs (Unity) dismissing all objections and
stressing the necessity to give each child the opportunity to grow up
in a family.Kristine Lemantovica, a legal representative of adoption agencies,
argued that the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and
Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption
Convention) obliged Latvia to inform the planned amendments to
the adoption regulation in a timely manner, which Latvia had failed to
do.Reirs objected by asking the lawyer to show the paragraph
containing such explicit requirement, adding that Latvia provides
sufficient information.Madara Silina, a representative of the Children of the System public
group, criticized the new regulation saying that it does not allow
children to choose the family in which they would like to grow up.Silina said that as foster families do not always provide everything
the children need, they often agree to get adopted by foreign citizens.Reirs dismissed the criticism of the change saying that adoptions by
foreign citizens will continue and the aim of the regulation is to
promote adoptions from institutions, not foster families.According to the account of the changes by the ministry itself, "The
rules stipulate that future adopters will be obliged to undergo a
special learning program, as there have been instances when people
becoming adopters are not emotionally mature enough adoption or
whose purpose is not to provide support to out-of-home child.Also,
certain deadlines are set the implementation of separate activities
in the adoption process... while foreign adopters will have to submit
post-adoption reports."The new adoption procedure Orphan's Courts provides concrete
and precise deadlines the adoption process, because so far this was
not the case," the government said.Share this article
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