1. ANNOUNCEMENT

LET ADOPTION.COM REPRINT YOUR BOOK ONLINE
Have you written an adoption-related book? Adoption.com would like to talk to you about licensing your book to reprint on the Adoption.com website. If you are interested, please contact editor@adoptionmedia.com.

CALL FOR ADOPTION-RELATED PHOTOS
Adoption.com is developing a new section on its website of adoption-related photos and is looking for photos from families and individuals touched by adoption. Please e-mail photos or questions to editor@adoptionmedia.com. We can provide a physical adress if you would like to send the actual photos.

CALL FOR ADOPTION-RELATED RECIPES
Adoption.com is developing a new section for recipies that are connected to adoption. Did you adopt from China and now have a favorite Chinese recipe? Did you adopt your child from New Orleans and now have a great cajun recipe? Does your adoptive family have a favorite recipe you would like to share? Please send your recipes to editor@adoptionmedia.com.

LAST MINUTE GIFT-GIVING MADE EASY!
Order any Child Welfare League of America "Giftables" item and receive an EXCLUSIVE 10% discount. Effective immediately, Adoption Week readers can take 10% off all CWLA "Giftables" purchases made through Dec. 31, 2003.** From posters and pins to T-shirts and ties, from children's books to music and more, our extensive collection features items adored by teachers, colleagues, family, and kids. And remember, all "Giftables" proceeds support CWLA efforts to make children, youth, and families a national priority. To order online or to view other items, visit http://www.cwla.org/pubs. To order by phone or to request our colorful catalog in print, call our customer service representatives at 800-407-6273. Be sure to mention "ACOM03" to receive your exclusive Adoption.com discount. Standard and overnight shipping available! This holiday season, help make every day a joyful day for America's children. (** Customized cards excluded. Discount may not be combined with other offers.)

NEW ADOPTION.COM LIBRARY WITH THOUSANDS OF ARTICLES
We have launched the beta version of the Adoption.com library with more than 3,450 articles related to adoption, foster care, parenting, children's disabilities and related topics at http://Library.Adoption.com. These articles have been contributed by hundreds of authors, and include magazine articles, research, factsheets, stories, poems, statistics, laws, and other content. As a beta version, there are still features we are adding and improving for the upcoming final version of the website. This library is a free community service of Adoption.com. We invite authors to submit their articles to be published for free. If you are an author who has contributed content, please check to be sure we have included it correctly, with proper formatting and credit given. We also invite authors to submit their biographies and information on books they have written that we can link to from their articles. For more information, contact editor@adoptionmedia.com or visit http://Library.Adoption.com.

Back to Top
___________________________________________________________________

2. NEW ARTICLES

The views expressed by the authors are solely their own, and for which the authors are responsible. These views do not necessarily represent the views of Adoption Week e-Magazine.

To Kathmandu, with Love: An Adoptive Mom’s Journal - new article contributed by Cynthia Yoder
It hasn’t been easy. Initially, we were planning on adopting a child through the state of New Jersey, but as we got deeper into the process and started talking to more people, we realized there were too many uncertainties about the birth parents’ rights. Now we are planning on adopting from Nepal. But plans, we know now, are fickle. Since the beginning, I’ve kept a journal. http://e-magazine.adoption.com/article.php?articleid=390

A Wonderful Adoption Story - new article contributed by Michaela Alexander
I spent a confused year with a wonderful family. However, each night I would go into the walk-in closet and cry myself to sleep. I was so unhappy. So thankful for this home. So much misery missing the Webbs. I couldn't share my sadness with this family because I didn't want them to think I was unappreciative of them opening their home to me. So, I hid in the closet, and every morning, Uncle Ken would find me there and wake me to get ready for school. I'd make up excuses for why I'd go into the closet. No one knew I cried myself to sleep over missing the Webbs. http://e-magazine.adoption.com/article.php?articleid=391

Speak Out - Foster Care - new article by Beth H.
Since the early 1980's the number of children in the U.S. foster care system has doubled! The reasons for this are purely financial. Federal and state govenments pay counties from about $30,000 per year for each child in foster care. This amount can go up to $150,000 per year for special needs children. http://e-magazine.adoption.com/article.php?articleid=389

Help? - new article contributed by Tim H.
I was born Timothy Lewis Poling to a Mrs. Lee L. Poling. My adoptive parents have not been much help in my search, and I don’t feel right asking them for a whole lot of help. Apparently, I was abandoned in my home in Licking County at a pretty young age, only about 2 or 3. When this happened, I was left there for a couple days until a neighbor called the police to complain about me crying for 2 days straight. When the police arrived, I came right to them, and quit crying. I was placed in a foster home, and was adopted out to my current "parents", a nurse and a doctor who didn’t really have time for kids. I didn’t have a HARD childhood, just not the one I would have preferred I guess. http://e-magazine.adoption.com/article.php?articleid=392

Read these articles at http://Magazine.Adoption.com, and submit your adoption-related articles to editor@adoptionmedia.com for publication in Adoption Week e-Magazine and Adoption.com.

By submitting content, you represent that you have the rights to this content and that you give Adoption.com and Adoption Week the right to reprint this content on the internet, via e-mail, and in print form.

Back to Top
___________________________________________________________________

3. ADOPTION NEWS

Woman Gets Prison Time For Adoption Fraud (CA)
http://www.adoption.com/includes/frame.php?url=http://www.nbc4.tv/family/2694340/detail.html

Dispute Over DCF Suspension (FL)
http://www.adoption.com/includes/frame.php?url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/broward/sfl-ciar11dec11,0,3180418.story?coll=sfla-news-broward

Grandparents Who Return to Parenting (UT)
http://www.adoption.com/includes/frame.php?url=http://www.sltrib.com/2003/Dec/12082003/monday/monday.asp

Parents Go Global to Adopt Children (IL)
http://www.adoption.com/includes/frame.php?url=http://www.southernillinoisan.com/rednews/2003/12/08/build/top/TOP001.html

Barrier of Adoption Broken (FL)
http://www.adoption.com/includes/frame.php?url=http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20031208/NEWS/312080374/1004

Landrieu Throws Support to Adoption Act (LA)
http://www.adoption.com/includes/frame.php?url=http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/120803/opi_shield001.shtml

If any of the links to the news articles do not work, visit http://www.adoption.com/news for a list of headlines.

Back to Top
___________________________________________________________________

4. ADOPTION LAW & POLICY NEWS

December 10, 2003

WEEKLY NEWS SUMMARY

OPINION PAGE: “PROMOTING ADOPTION” - by Thomas Atwood
At the conclusion of National Adoption Month, President Bush signed the Adoption Promotion Act that reauthorizes an incentive system to help find permanent homes for kids in the U.S. foster care system. In light of the success that started with the 1997 Adoption and Safe Families Act in placing children in adoptive homes (last five years: 256,000 placements, where the preceding ten years produced that number,) the APA incentive program is being enhanced for kids aged 9+. With respect to waiting kids, the author notes that the challenge is not insurmountable; if one in every 471 married American couple adopted a child out of foster care, the 116,653 kids that were awaiting placement at the end of 2002 would have a permanent home.
The Washington Times, Friday, December 5, 2003
http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/20031204-083401-8881r.htm

“INDIAN IMMIGRANTS PLEAD FOR ADOPTION LAW CHANGE” - by Ela Dutt
Currently, permanent legal residents, frequently called “green card holders,” cannot petition for immediate immigration of the children they adopt abroad, while U.S. citizens can make a petition. A group of 700 permanent legal residents have sought support from the President, Congress, and the State Department requesting the change that would enable the group to more easily adopt notwithstanding their immigration status. Although permanent legal residents can adopt, many wait for long periods of time for the child to be able to actually come to the U.S., and according to the petitioner representative, this obstacle often dissuades legal residents to adopt at all.
Hindustan Times, Tuesday, December 2, 2003
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5967_480036,001600060001.htm

ITALY: “IN A FIRST, SINGLE ITALIAN WOMAN ALLOWED TO ADOPT” - by Agence France Presse
After adoption law reforms in Italy in 2001 that permit single parent adoption, the first single woman finalized an adoption of a Belarusian boy. As a part of a program that cared for victims of the Chernobyl disaster that occurred near the border of what is now the Republic of Belarus, the orphaned boy lived with his now adoptive mother since 1998.
Agence France Presse, Thursday, December 4, 2003
Note: No link was available for this story.

WEEKLY CASE SUMMARY

Featured Cases

Adoption Assistance

LAWS V. STATE EX REL. OKLA. DEP'T OF HUMAN SERVS.
The plaintiff, Rita Laws, the adoptive mother of a 7 year old special needs child, challenged the legality of a state statute under which the maximum Title IV-E adoption subsidy payment level available to adoptive parents was less than that available to foster parents and the state Department’s denial of assistance to her at the foster care level under that statute. Laws contended that under federal law she was entitled to negotiate for Title IV-E funding up to the level available to foster parents. The State argued that the statute merely set a permissible rate structure with a cap on payments subject to the foster care limit and that the rate structure in effect at the time of Laws’ adoption of the child did not require assistance to be negotiated up to the foster care rate. The Oklahoma Court of Appeals agreed with Laws and ordered the State to allow Laws to negotiate for a subsidy rate up to the level of the maximum state foster care rate. The Oklahoma Supreme Court denied the State’s request that it review the Appeals Court’s decision.

Laws’ adoption of the child, who was born on December 9, 1992, became final on January 1, 1999. Because of a state subsidy payment scheme that allowed for an increase in benefits when a child turns 6, she had applied for Title IV-E assistance twice prior to the child turning 6 in December, 1998. After an administrative hearing and review, the Department denied her request for assistance at the foster care rate because the payment schedule in effect at the time of the adoption allowed for a lower rate of assistance. This ruling also held that Laws did not qualify for increased assistance under regulatory amendments to the payment scheme enacted in April 1999 that added additional levels of assistance, because those levels were available only to children who qualified for SSI and were approved by the state Developmental Disabilities Services Division (“DDSD”) for specialized foster care at the time the adoption was initiated or who were adopted by a special class of licensed foster parents. Laws’ child met neither criterion.

Laws ultimately was awarded the maximum level of benefits starting in January, 2000, after another regulatory change on October 19, 1999 that eliminated the previous distinction between adoptive and foster parents in the payment schedule. The State denied benefits at the higher level for the prior period on grounds that her child had not been approved for DDS services.

Laws appealed these administrative rulings; on appeal the District Court affirmed the ruling to the extent that it denied Laws the opportunity to negotiate for the foster care rate beginning on the child’s 6th birthday up to October 19, 1999, but ordered that the maximum level of payments begun in January, 2000 should be made retroactive to October 19, 1999. Both parties appealed.

The Oklahoma Court of Appeals reversed and remanded that part of the order affirming the Department’s denial of Laws’request to negotiate for the foster care rate from the child’s 6th birthday until October 19, 1999, but affirmed the judgment to the extent that it made the assistance retroactive to that date. The Court noted that the provision of the Adoption and Child Welfare Act of 1980 that limits adoption assistance to a level no higher than that available to foster parents is not a license to discriminate against adoptive parents and ruled that Oklahoma’s payment scheme limiting adoptive parents to a lesser amount was unlawful. In addition, although holding that the District Court did not err in ruling that the child was retroactively eligible for increased benefits back to October 19, 1999, the Court noted the ruling left unresolved the issue of the amount of assistance appropriate from the child’s 6th birthday until that date. Thus, the Court reversed the trial court’s ruling which denied Laws the right to negotiate for the higher amount for that period and remanded with instructions for the trial court to direct the State to negotiate with Laws for an amount not to exceed the foster care amount for that period.
Cite: Case No. 96,740; 2003 Okla. Civ. App. LEXIS 88 (August 5, 2003, decided)
http://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/deliverdocument.asp?citeid=438133

NOTE: The National Center for Adoption Law & Policy participated in this case as an amicus curiae (friend of the court), arguing in support of all of the positions ultimately adopted by the Oklahoma Court of Appeals in its opinion partially affirming and partially reversing the district’s court’s ruling. The Center periodically files amicus curiae briefs in cases pending in state and federal appeals courts when those cases significantly impact the formulation and development of the law of adoption. Please contact our Director, Kent Markus, at kmarkus@law.capital.edu for more information on this program.

Significant Cases

Termination of Parental Rights - Process

IN RE H.S.W.C.-B & S.E.C.-B
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania reversed the order of the superior court quashing York County Children and Youth Services’ appeal of the denial of its petition to change the goal from reunification to adoption and to involuntarily terminate the mother’s parental rights. The Court concluded that all orders dealing with custody, visitation, termination, and the change of goals from reunification to termination are final when entered and thus appealable. The Court further concluded that a stay should not be ordered and the underlying proceedings halted pending the appeal.
Cite: No. J-85-2003, 2003 Pa. LEXIS 2198 (Pa. Nov. 25, 2003)
http://www.courts.state.pa.us/OpPosting/Supreme/out/J-85-2003mo.pdf

Termination of Parental Rights - Process

IN RE GALES
The Ohio Court of Appeals affirmed the judgments of the trial court granting legal custody of the mother’s two minor children to the children’s paternal cousin. The appellate court found the trial court did not err in failing to make a determination as to parental unsuitability before awarding legal custody to the cousin because the previous adjudication of the children as dependent necessarily encompassed a consideration of parental fitness, and therefore a separate finding of parental unsuitability was not necessary. The appellate court also found there was no abuse of discretion in awarding custody to the cousin because the mother failed to attend counseling sessions; failed to complete less than half of the random drug screenings; provided almost non-existent financial assistance to the children; and the children showed improvement in their behavior and were well adjusted to the cousin.
Cite: Nos. 03AP-445 & 446, 2003 Ohio App. LEXIS 5646 (Ohio Ct. App. Nov. 25, 2003)
Web link: http://www.sconet.state.oh.us/rod/documents/10/2003/2003-ohio-6309.doc

Other Cases of Interest

Termination of Parental Rights – Appeals of Orders of Termination

IN RE C.J.F.
The Court of Appeals of Texas upheld the lower court’s decision terminating both mother and father’s parental rights, concluding there was enough evidence to establish endangerment, that termination was in the best interests of the child, and that the lower court did not err when admitted into evidence autopsy photos of another child of mother finding that the probative value was not substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice.
Cite: No. 07-03-0171-CV, 2003 Tex. App. LEXIS 10009 (Tex. Ct. App. Nov. 25, 2003)
Web link: http://www.7thcoa.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/htmlopinion.asp?OpinionId=9600

Credit: National Center for Adoption Law & Policy
Link: http://www.law.capital.edu/adoption

Back to Top
___________________________________________________________________

5. CHILDREN'S BUREAU EXPRESS

Dec 2003/Jan 2004 Edition Alert

Top Stories

President Signs Adoption Promotion Act of 2003
http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/articles.cfm?article_id=758

HHS Honors 30 Groups, Individuals for Adoption Excellence
http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/articles.cfm?article_id=747

Research

Positive Father-Child Involvement Found Among Early Head Start Families
http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/articles.cfm?article_id=748

Time Spent in Home Visits Related to Personality Traits of Mothers and Staff
http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/articles.cfm?article_id=749

Open Adoption Increasingly Common Among Private U.S. Adoption Agencies
http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/articles.cfm?article_id=750

Promising Practices

Keys to Success for State Program Improvement Plan
http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/articles.cfm?article_id=751

Strategies for Funding Comprehensive Mental Health Services for Children
http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/articles.cfm?article_id=752

News You Can Use

Publications
http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/articles.cfm?article_id=753

Funding
http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/articles.cfm?article_id=754

Training
http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/articles.cfm?article_id=755

Conferences
http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/articles.cfm?article_id=756

Spotlight on the National Resource Centers

News and Notices from the Children's Bureau Training and Technical Assistance Network
http://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/articles.cfm?article_id=757

Credit: Children's Bureau Express
Link: http://www.calib.com/cbexpress/

Back to Top
___________________________________________________________________

6. ADOPTION BOOK CLUB

DADDY DAUGHTER DINNER DANCE: These are snapshots of life, of a 3 to 6 year old little girl, her single-parent father and their blended family. She appears in drawings, he appears in tongues, using poetry to transcribe his daughter's description of her drawings, and prose to describe how they've made a life together, in a way that resembles a dance. In this picture we see the simple beauty between leading and following, as two partners do a tender boogie glide through growing up together.

For more information on this book, visit http://adoptionshop.com/cgi-bin/products/ADP12103.html.

Find 1,400+ other adoption products at adoptionshop.com.

To share your favorite adoption book with others, join the Adoption Book Club on AdoptionLists.com at http://adoptionlists.com/index.php?action=lists&listname=adoptionbookclub.

Back to Top
___________________________________________________________________

7. MEET NEW HOPEFUL ADOPTIVE PARENTS

Outdated material has been removed. Please visit ParentProfiles.com.

Back to Top
___________________________________________________________________

8. FEATURED WAITING CHILD

This young girl is named Calene. She is extremely outgoing and likes school. She is soft spoken and loves to listen to music. Because she enjoys so many things, her attention shifts easily from one thing to another. A family that can focus only on Calene would be best for her. She needs and deserves a loving family that can provide her with lots of attention and love. Calene will excel in a home where she is the only child.

Photolisting.Adoption.com is a free community service of Adoption.com featuring more than 1,700 children awaiting loving, permanent homes. Add your agency's waiting children to the most popular adoption website, and help them find loving homes faster. E-mail exchange@adoptablekids.com for info.

Back to Top
___________________________________________________________________

9. ADOPTION GEM

10. ADOPTION BUZZ

How I Found Out - Stories of Discovery: - How I Found Out I Was Adopted
http://forums.adoption.com/t106093.html

Adoptive Mothers: - African-American Adoptive Moms
http://forums.adoption.com/t53139.html

Birthparents Discuss What They Wish Their Child's Adoptive Parents Would Say To Them: - Placement Gift for Birthfather
http://forums.adoption.com/t125632.html

Search for Birthfamily or Adoptee: - Bparents/Adoptees BEWARE
http://forums.adoption.com/t126192.html

Thanks for Life: - How Has Adoption Affected You?
http://forums.adoption.com/t122417.html

General Adoption Issues: - When Were You First Aware of "Open" or "Semi-Open" Adoption?
http://forums.adoption.com/t126521.html

If any of the links above do not work, visit Adoption.com for direct links to these discussions.

For more online adoption discussions, visit Forums.Adoption.com.

Back to Top
___________________________________________________________________

11. ATTACHMENT & BONDING ISSUES

12. ADOPTION SITE SPOTLIGHT

This week, our adoption spotlight is shining on: http://Loans.Adoption.com/.

At AdoptionLoans.com we specialize in working with adoptive families to make their dreams of adoption come true. We view this process as an extremely important event in your life and strive to make the financing of this event as smooth and trouble free as possible.

This exciting time in your life will bring about many exciting changes. Our goal is to make this special time in your life a little less stressful by walking you through the financing process and answering all your questions. Please fill out the short form below and tell us more about your finance goals. There is no obligation and the initial consultation is free.

* Our mortgage financing options include cash out refinances, 2nd mortgages, & flexible home equity lines of credit.

For a list of our favorite adoption websites, visit Adoptions.Adoption.com.

Back to Top
___________________________________________________________________

13. ADOPTION DESTINATION

InternationalAdoption.org is the internet's authoritative destination for international adoption. You will find fact sheets, adoption information, travel information, culture and heritage, maps, weather, books, currency exchange rates, periodicals, news and much more for dozens of different countries with active international adoption programs.

This week, the country of focus is Armenia

An Orthodox Christian country, Armenia was incorporated into Russia in 1828 and the USSR in 1920. Armenian leaders remain preoccupied by the long conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated exclave, assigned to Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s by Moscow.

To learn more about Armenia's government, geography, and communication information, or its history, visit Armenia.Adoption.com.

Back to Top
___________________________________________________________________

14. JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT

REAL FAIRIES

My daughter was 9 years old, and we had recently moved from California to Ohio. It was early summer and we were checking out the house we had just rented. My daughter stood on the back balcony overlooking the very large yard. Suddenly she burst into the room and declared that she really liked the house and we had to live there. When I asked her why, she replied, "Look over the rail, Mommy; real fairies live here!

We had never seen live fireflies before, and I didn't have the heart to tell her our new home wasn't surrounded by real fairies.

Contributed by: Mary-jane Gard, Lancaster, Ohio

E-mail your humorous story or joke to editor@adoptionmedia.com.

Back to Top
___________________________________________________________________

15. FEATURED ADOPTION PROFESSIONAL

AA Swartz Adoption Attorneys & Child Placing Agency, Inc.
Saginaw, MI
Toll Free: (866) 4-SWARTZ
Phone: (989) 793-0000
adopt@swartzadoptions.com

Swartz Adoption Agency is a non-profit agency licensed to work with US citizens located anywhere in the world. We offer a full spectrum of domestic and international (Russian and Kazakhstan) services.

Services: • Adoption Agencies • Adoption Attorneys • Home Studies • International Adoption
Countries: • Kazakhstan • Russia

For more information on AA Swartz Adoption Attorneys & Child Placing Agency, Inc., visit http://www.swartzadoptions.com/.

Find adoption agencies, attorneys and other adoption professionals at Directory.Adoption.com.

To see your ad here, visit http://directory.adoption.com/upgrade.php.

Back to Top
___________________________________________________________________

16. ADOPTIONSHOP.COM PICK

Beaded Page Keepers - Only $5.95
Made especially for Adoption.com, these unique and fun bookmarks are the perfect accesory for any book lover. A gold tone charm and cut glass beads are hand strung on a natural silk thread.

For more information and ordering instructions, visit http://adoptionshop.com/cgi-bin/products/NOL00007.html.

For more adoption products, visit adoptionshop.com.

Back to Top
___________________________________________________________________

17. SOUND COUNSEL

This section is not intended for search advise. It is meant to be an advise column for people with questions concerning their feelings, interested in the opinion of someone who can relate. The views expressed by this author is solely his own, and for which the author is responsible. The content within this column is not to be considered as professional medical, legal or behavioral health information to be used in diagnosis, treatment or actions that would require the consultation and/or services of a licensed, certified or accredited professional. These views do not necessarily represent the views of Adoption Week e-Magazine.

Question:

My husband and I had a baby before we married and gave him up for adoption. I have always wanted to tell our two children we had after we got married, but up until now he has not wanted to. Now that he has agreed, how do I tell them?

Do you have any knowledge of how sibling to hearing the news that they have a brother or sister?

Answer:

I believe that you should definitely tell your children. How you do that depends on their ages. You should make sure that you do it in an age appropriate manner.

I have seen siblings take it well, and I have seen others not take it well. You know your children the best, and can evaluate most accurately their responses. In addition, since you know your kids so well, you are the only one who knows the best way to present this information to them. The only advise I can give is for it to be age appropriate and 100% truthful.

Happy holidays.

DB

Question:

Hello:

I'm adopting a 6-year-old boy from Guatemala. My question is do you have any ideals on how to help him with adjusting to my family and myself?

Answer:

In my opinion, the best way to go about it is to be extremely patient, caring, calm, kind, etc. Anything to make him feel extremely comfortable and a part of the family unit. Include him in all that you can. Do not allow him to feel like he does not fit in.

Basically, love the child with all your heart. Like animals smell fear, children smell love. Please excuse my simile; however, children truly respond remarkably well to love, at least in my experience.

DB


BIO:

The author is a 21-year-old adoptee who wants to help those affiliated with the adoption community. Although the author does not have a medical degree, etc., he is simply extending a listening ear and the perspective of a young adult who is involved in the adoption triad.

His opinions are not necessarily those of Adoption.com and are provided voluntarily on a weekly basis.

To submit your questions, e-mail adoptionquestions2003@yahoo.com

In order for your questions/comments to be answered in the next week's issue, questions need to be submitted before 12 noon each Wednesday.

In addition, please remember to keep your questions appropriate for Adoption Week e-Magazine; otherwise, they will not be answered or included in the next week's edition.

Back to Top
___________________________________________________________________

18. SPEAK OUT

Shawna, I do not have recourses other than personal ones to offer. I too am a childbirth educator and an OB RN. I adopted a baby out when I was in college and would be glad to talk with your client regarding my experience, if that would help her in any way! My email address is mgnagey@communitymed.org. Let me know if I can be of any help! Michelle

---------------------------------

In response to Shawna Barber's questions, I am afriad that I don't know of any material on where to find information on how to help the birthmother, but I am a 22-ear-old birthmother who gave birth in March. I had a very wonderful doctor who had done adoptions before and a supporting family. Personally I found out the best thing was to find a Doctor and staff who are not only use to adoptions but they are all ok with adoptions (one nurse I had during the delivery was not ok with adoptions). Another thing that really worked was to find a counsler who was therefore me along with my mother. Everybody knew that the emotional pain of giving a baby up was far worse than the physical pain, so it was highly recommended by everybody that I should be kept as comfortable as possible during the labor. Other than that one nurse, everything went fine. Good luck and if you want to hear more from me please e-mail me at Starjumpr@hotmail.com. Jessica

---------------------------------

I recently posted a message to find my husband's sister, Virginia. Can any of you believe, that the very next day, we found her! In the past four weeks we have found two sisters who were adopted as infants! The first sister found us, and she got the ball rolling! What a family reunion this will be! Thank-you for all your support. - Timari (The first sister found us through tips from some Adoption Week subscribers. She met her birth family for the first time the Friday after Thanksgiving! Can you believe how blessed we are?)

---------------------------------

In response to the person who found out that the child she was adopting was related to her: I was adopted as an infant. I recently found a biological aunt (mother's sister) who is a professional geneologist. She gave me a family tree that goes back a few centuries. It turns out my adoptive mother's great-grandmother had the same last name as a group of my ancestors - and both came from the same small farming village in England. So I COULD be related to the family that adopted me. I was fortunate to grow up in a solid, loving home. I think it was destiny. That's how you should look at your situation - it's meant to be.

---------------------------------

Hi. I am an adopted child looking for my birth mother and possibly birth family. I was born in Trail, BC and was given up for adoption at birth. I was born on Feb 23, 1983. I don't really know where to start, so if anyone has any good info on how to start a search, please let me know. My email is lindsay_jay@hotmail.com. Thanks...Lindsay

---------------------------------

I was born Dec. 15, 1954 in Oakland California. I am looking for my birth mother and or family. Any information would be appreciated. I have been looking and searching for over 20 years with no luck. How do you guys find each other. We are a family of four adopted children, all from Alameda County. My adopted parents have long passed away. I am a female with a birth decree of Jane Doe Young. Thanks, mimiyv@telis.org

---------------------------------

Mrs. Lana Noone will present a Book Signing/Author Talk for her book, "Global Mom: Notes From a Pioneer Adoptive Family", by Lana Noone, with Byron, Jennie, and Jason Noone at: The New Jersey Vietnam Era Educational Center, Holmdel, New Jersey, on Saturday, December 13, 2003 at 3:00 PM. Mrs. Noone's Author Talk will include an exhibit of the Vietnam Babylift Quilt (one of 4 in existence, with a similar quilt to be archived at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library), the Vietnam Babylift wristband, the Shadowbox Section C-5A Babylift Airplane Exhibit, original documents and photos. Mrs. Noone, a classical flutist, will conclude her program with a performance of Traditional Vietnamese music. At 6:00 PM, the Center will present a Holiday Lighting Ceremony, and not-to-be-missed NJ Drive-Through Holiday Light Spectacular. All events take place on the grounds of the PNC Arts Center, where the New Jersey Vietnam Era Educational Center is located. Please contact Mrs. Noone at noone@mailbug.com for additional information.

---------------------------------

Hi. I am currently a senior psychology student at a university in Georgia. 3 years ago I gave my son up for adoption, and I've been interested in psychological aspects of adoption ever since. Next semester, for my senior seminar, I must do a 30 minute presentation. I thought it would be nice to research something meaningful. The reason I'm asking for help is because I need your perspectives. I want to hear from those that have been adopted as well as those that have given a child to adoption. I would like you to answer a few questions.
1. What impact has adoption had on your life?
2. How did/do people react when you tell them?
3. How does their reaction make you feel?
4. Are you happy with the decision that was made and why or why not?
Remember that I a student of psychology so your answers should be more about your feelings and emotions and not necessarily the whole story of why adoption was the choice. I truly thank you for any help that you can give me. Please respond to stu23912@westga.edu

---------------------------------

I am a 38-year-old woman who is looking for her birth mother. All I know is that I was born in downtown Los Angeles, California, on October 15, 1965. My parents did not adopt me until December 7, 1965, so I do not know if I was with my birth mother until that time or in a foster home. I am half Chinese and the other part is Irish and Swedish maybe, not sure. My biological father was full Chinese and a mathematician. I don't think he ever knew about my birth mother being pregnant with me. I think the name my birth mother gave me was Michelle. I do not remember the hospital I was born in, except that it was in downtown L.A. I have brown hair and brown eyes, and I'm 5"4. I love music, the arts, ballet... If someone could give me some tips as to how I might find my birth mother, please let me know. I would really appreciate it. Thank you.

---------------------------------

To Speak Out and share your opinion or a comment, or to respond to a message, e-mail editor@adoptionmedia.com

Back to Top
___________________________________________________________________

19. ADOPTION POETRY

20. ADOPTION CALENDAR

CHAT SCHEDULE:

Sunday:
Reunion Support Group Chat with Loretta in the Search and Reunion room at 6 pm Pacific, 7 pm Mountain, 8 pm Central, 9 pm Eastern

Monday:
Join Dr. Art Becker-Weidman in the hosted chat room at 2 pm Pacific, 3 pm Mountain, 4 pm Central, 5 pm Eastern and ask him questions on attachment therapy and treating children with trauma-attachment disorders.

Adoptee Chat with Thea in the hosted chat room at 6 pm Pacific, 7 pm Mountain, 8 pm Central, 9 pm Eastern. Thea is a caring adoptee that has recently reunited with her birthmother.

Tuesday:
Birth mom chat with Angelwings. Angel is a birthmom and adoptee. Her chat is held in the BirthMother.chat room at 4 pm Pacific, 5 pm Mountain, 6 pm Central, 7 pm Eastern

Birth father's General Support Chat in the hosted chat room with adoptee and birthfather, Terry. All are invited at 6 pm Pacific, 7 pm Mountain, 8 pm central, 9 pm Eastern

Wednesday:
Pre- and adoptive parent chat with JJ and friends - Help as you begin the adoption process. Hosted in Adoptive Parents chat room at 5 pm Pacific, 6 pm Mountain, 7 pm Central, 8 pm Eastern.

Parenting issues for adoptive/foster parents with Dimasmom in FosterCare chat room at 6 pm Pacific, 7 pm Mountain, 8 pm Central, 9 pm Eastern.

Join an informative chat on the ups and downs of reunion hosted by Sabra since 1997. Talk out your next step and share your experiences in search and reunion at 7 pm Pacific, 8 pm Mountain, 9 pm Central, 10 pm Eastern in the Search and Reunion chat room.

Thursday:
Evening with Colleen Buckner, search expert, in Search and Reunion chat room at 6 pm Pacific, 7 pm Mountain, 8 pm Central, 9 pm Eastern.

Friday:
If you are having a "limbo" type experience with your reunion, come and talk it over with those who've "been there-done that" themselves. Join co-hosting birth mothers, April and Judy, in the Search and Reunion room on Fridays: 5 pm Pacific, 6 pm Mountain, 7 pm Central, 8 pm Eastern.

Saturday:
Older child adoption/foster care behavioral issues with Jerry in FosterCare chat room at 6 pm Pacific, 7 pm Mountain, 8 pm Central, 9 pm Eastern.

For a listing of times and descriptions and to attend scheduled chats, or join the live chat, visit Forums.Adoption.com/Chat.

ADOPTION EVENTS:

ADOPTING FROM CHINA - Free Adoption Workshop
December 18 (6:00 pm - 8:00 pm)
L.E.R. Schimelpfenig Public Library, 5024 Custer Rd., Plano, TX 75023
Great Wall China Adoption
Join us to learn more about adopting from China. We will be on hand to answer your questions about domestic vs. international adoption, the benefits of adopting from China, and give you the opportunity to meet families who have already completed their China adoption dreams! For more information and to register, contact Diana or Christine at info@gwcadopt.org or call 512.323.9595.

SPECIAL NEEDS GROUP MEETING
December 18 (7:00 pm - 8:30 pm)
McHenry County Mental Health Board Building 620 Dakota Street Crystal Lake, IL 60012 (Dakota Street at Terra Cotta Road; North of Hwy. 176)
Heartstrings Adoption Support
Who can attend: Adult adoptees, siblings, adoptive parents, prospective adoptive parents, professionals and anyone who is interested in lifelong adoption issues. No membership required to attend these meetings. Questions? Please call (815) 455-2828, or visit http://www.HeartStringsAdoptionSupport.com.

HEIGHTS AREA GENERAL MEETING - Topic: Loss
December 18 (7:30 pm -­ 9:30 pm)
Unity of Greater Cleveland, 3350 Warrensville Ctr Road, Shaker Heights, Ohio
Adoption Network Cleveland
Who can attend: Adult adoptees, birthparents, siblings, adoptive parents, prospective adoptive parents, professionals and anyone who is interested in lifelong adoption issues. No registration or membership is required to attend.

ADOPTING FROM CHINA - Free Adoption Workshop
December 20 (10:00 am - 12:00pm)
Concordia Lutheran Church, 8701 S.W. 124th St., Miami, FL 33176
Great Wall China Adoption
Join us to learn more about adopting from China. We will be on hand to answer your questions about domestic vs. international adoption, the benefits of adopting from China, and give you the opportunity to meet families who have already completed their China adoption dreams! For more information and to register, contact Susan Fremer at (352) 666-4853 or sfremer@tampabay.rr.com.

ADOPTING FROM CHINA - Free Adoption Workshop
December 20 (10:00 am - 12:00pm)
Concordia Lutheran Church, 8701 S.W. 124th St., Miami, FL 33176
Great Wall China Adoption
Join us to learn more about adopting from China. We will be on hand to answer your questions about domestic vs. international adoption, the benefits of adopting from China, and give you the opportunity to meet families who have already completed their China adoption dreams! For more information and to register, contact Susan Fremer at (352) 666-4853 or sfremer@tampabay.rr.com.

PRE-ADOPTION SUPPORT GROUP - Eight Tuesday Evenings
January 6 - Feb. 24 (7 pm - 9 pm)
San Jose
Resolve of Northern California
Explore your questions and concerns about adoption, and enjoy peer support while you learn about the adoption process. This support group provides information and support about the decision to adopt, and about all types of adoption. Led by Sara Lively, founder of Adoption Paths, an educational organization independent of any adoption agency. For more information and to register, call (831)476-7252 or visit http://www.adoptionpaths.com.

EXPLORING ADOPTION: AN EDUCATIONAL SERIES - Four Saturday Afternoons
January 10 - 31 (3 pm - 5 pm)
Santa Cruz, California
Adoption Paths
Explore your questions and concerns along with other people who are interested in adopting. This educational series provides extensive and unbiased information about all types of adopting. Taught by Sara Lively, founder of Adoption Paths. For more information and to register, call (831)476-6252 or visit http://www.adoptionpaths.com.

For local listings, regional seminars, and many other adoption events, visit Events.Adoption.com.

Back to Top
___________________________________________________________________

CALL FOR CONTENT
Adoption Week Magazine is looking for well-written adoption-related articles, poems, quotes, book reviews, news, event announcements, product reviews, photos, successful adoption and reunion stories, clean humor, job openings, letters to the editor, reviews of adoption websites, product recalls, information on adoption legislation, great deals on adoption and family-related products, other adoption-related content. To submit content, or if you would like to be interviewed or to nominate someone for an adoption service award, please visit AdoptionWeek.com.

TO ADVERTISE
Would you like to advertise in the Adoption Week e-mail magazine? Call 1-800-ADOPT-HERE or e-mail sales@adoption.com for more advertising information.

REFER IT
We hope you enjoyed this issue of Adoption Week e-Magazine and encourage you to forward it to others who might find this information useful.

TO SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE
If you want a free weekly e-mail subscription to Adoption Week e-Magazine, or would like to unsubscribe, visit AdoptionWeek.com.

DISCLAIMER
This e-magazine is provided as a free community service, and by using and reading it you agree to the terms and conditions as posted at AdoptionWeek.com. Adoption.com makes no warrantee about the accurateness of any information in this magazine, and does not endorse any adoption professional, adoption product or other adoption service. If you have received this e-mail erroneously, or do not agree to the terms of this disclaimer, please unsubscribe.