| |
1. Announcements | | |
| |
International Photolisting
Children around the world are anxiously awaiting a loving home. Visit our Photolisting for pictures of these waiting children. Agencies: With over a million page views a month, the International Photolisting is an excellent way to give waiting children the maximum exposure to prospective adoptive parents. Introductory special - only 6 weeks left - for qualifying agencies.
Links + Descriptions = Movie Tickets
Submit 25 new Web sites with their unique descriptions to AdoptionSearch.com and receive a pair of AMC movie tickets for each 25 links you submit. Once you submit your 25 links with descriptions, contact us.
Share Your Adoption Videos
Adoption Media will be launching a new section with adoption videos. We would like to share in the joy of your adoption experiences: trips to pick up your children, finalizations, adoption ceremonies, adoption reunions, adoption education, adoption humor, etc. Share your family-friendly adoption-related digital video clips. Send your zip file today!
| |
| |
2. Featured Adoption Blogs | | | | |
Those who have contributed to the content of this section are solely responsible for the opinions stated therein, which do not necessarily represent the views of Adoption Week e-Magazine, Adoption Media, L.L.C., or any of its sponsors, advertisers or collaborators.
Hoping to Adopt: - Does Your Family Accept Your Decision? As much as we like to say things like, adoption is a very individual decision, or adoption is a wonderful way to grow a family, or even, adoption is a good thing, there are those people...
Kazakhstan Adoption Blog: - Do Adopted Children Take on Traits? Ok, after reading this, some of you might think, yep, today is the day she finally lost it. Our son is approaching 27 months. He has definitely developed a personality. He...
Adoption Search Blog: - Birth Parents' Duties in Reunion Do birth parents in reunion "owe" their relinquished children anything at the time of a reunion? I believe that they do. At reunion, I feel strongly that birth parents should “step up to the plate” and try to repair some of the damage relinquishment may have caused...
Read and comment on more adoption blogs at http://www.adoptionblogs.com.
| | |
3. Highlighted Articles | | | | |
The authors of these articles are solely responsible for their content. The views expressed therein do not necessarily represent the views of Adoption Week e-Magazine, Adoption Media, L.L.C., or any of its sponsors, advertisers or collaborators.
Symptoms of Trauma - article by Mark Lerner, Ph.D.
Many adopted children have, unfortunately, faced traumatic events. Having an understanding of the symptoms suggestive of traumatic exposure can aid in identifying children who may be experiencing traumatic stress reactions.
My Mother and My Mom - article by Donna Nordone Heaney
"Do you know what it means to be adopted?" the judge asked. "Yes, it means you are special", I answered. And I was special. I was chosen. I was ten years old. For my little sister and I, the adoption process had been a very long road. At five years old, I had stopped calling my parents "aunt and uncle" and they became "Mom and Dad".
An "Every Day" Adoption Story
I just read the letter from Lane about all the horror stories of children who were adopted, so I thought I would tell my story. It's not a horror story, or a "wine & roses" story, but just MY story, so please forward this to Lane if you can. I was born in May of 1965 in Springfield, Illinois. I have never searched for my birth parents, but have thought about it all of my life.
Read the entire text of these articles at e-Magazine.adoption.com, and submit your adoption-related articles for possible publication in this newsletter. All submissions will be subject to the applicable terms, restrictions and conditions of Adoption Media, L.L.C.
| |
| |
4. Adoption News | | | | |
After 40 years and 500 kids, Mom Retires - PostStar.com
If anyone has earned the right to wear a T-shirt reading, “I’m the Mom, that’s why,” it’s Beth Cross of Queensbury. The 61-year-old mother of four and grandmother of nine subscribes to the no-nonsense parenting style advertised on her shirt, but behind her stern demeanor is a warmth that extends well beyond the bounds of heredity.
Help Foster Children on Education - Reno Gazette-Journal
Finally, the need to improve foster care in America has begun to get the attention it deserves.
ABC recently ran a prime-time special, "A Call to Action: Saving Our Children," in which Diane Sawyer documented many of the challenges that face foster children.
Reunions Mean Success for Longtime Carson City Nonprofit - Nevada Appeal
After 31 years in the profession of matching lost family members, the small staff of this Carson City nonprofit agency have piles of thank-you letters and a database full of more than 200,000 active registrations. And they have their own stories of reunion and disappointment.
Read more headlines at news.adoption.com.
| |
| |
5. Adoption Law & Policy News | | | | |
July 11, 2006
WEEKLY NEWS SUMMARY
STATE/Adoption/Reform
LEXINGTON: “Panel will study state’s adoption procedures” - Valerie Honeycutt Spears
Lexington Herald Leader, July 5, 2006
Click here.
Foster Care Systems
MONTANA: “Kids in Foster Care to receive state ID cards” - The Associated Press
Montana’s News Station, 2006
Click here.
WEEKLY CASE SUMMARY
STATE LAW/Termination of Parental Rights/Adoption
FLORIDA: Dep’t of Children & Family Services v. P.S.
The Court of Appeals of Florida, First District reversed the final judgment of the trial court that approved the adoption of three minor children by their paternal grandmother. The court found that the trial court...
Cite: Case No. 1D05-4421; 2006 Fla. App. LEXIS 10940; (Fla. App. Ct. July 3, 2006)
Click here.
Credit: National Center for Adoption Law & Policy
Link: http://www.law.capital.edu/adoption
| |
| | 6. Featured Adoption Product | |
| | |
The products that are described below are available through the AdoptionShop.com website, which is a service of FamilyStore.com, LLC, which sponsors this section and is solely responsible for its content.
 Our Chosen Child - Parents record every milestone-from the first smile to the first day at school-in a child's baby book for posterity. Thanks to best-selling author Judith Levy, adoptive parents can now express their joy and love for a child in a baby book created especially for them. Our Chosen Child omits the traditional space for recording details about the pregnancy, labor, and delivery, highlighting instead the special preparations adoptive parents make and the excitement and anticipation they feel.In Our Chosen Child, adoptive parents can record family history and all the milestones of childhood through...more
Find 1,000+ other adoption products at adoptionshop.com.
| |
| | 7. Featured Waiting Child | | | | |
Shayquana is an outgoing teenage female who enjoys talking on the phone with friends, listening and watching music videos, dancing and fashionable clothing. A typical teenager, the perfect excursion for her would be a day spent at the mall. Shayquana enjoys family outings and interacts well with her foster family. She makes friends easily and while this can sometimes be a distraction at school, she is capable of making very good grades. Nurturing and quality time from female role models is important to Shayquana. She can also be independent and show great initiative. Shayquana will thrive in a family that can provide her... more
Photolisting.adoption.com is a free community service provided by Adoption Media, L.L.C., which features thousands of children awaiting loving, permanent homes.
| | | 8. Meet New Hopeful Adoptive Parents | | | | |
The information and links displayed below relate to profile posting services provided on the ParentProfiles.com website, which is a service of Adoption Profiles, L.L.C., who sponsors this section and is solely responsible for its content.
Are you pregnant? Visit parentprofiles.com (a service of Adoption Profiles, L.L.C.) to choose who you feel will be the right adoptive parents for your baby.
Are you a hopeful adoptive parent? Explore tools to help build your profile. (Sponsored by Adoption Profiles, L.L.C., which is solely responsible for its content)
| |
| |
9. Adoption Gem | | | | |
Among the things you can give and still keep are your word, a smile, and a grateful heart.
- Zig Ziglar
Share your story, thought, or quote for possible publication in this newsletter. All submissions will be subject to the applicable terms, restrictions and conditions of Adoption Media, L.L.C.
| |
| |
10. Adoption Buzz | | | | |
| |
| |
11. Just for the Fun of It | | | | |
Wise Advice from Children
"Everyone has feelings, except for snakes and principals." - Donna Maria G, age 9
"Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and the world laughs at you." - Rob P, age 8
"If life gives you nothing but lemons, make up a better shopping list for it." - Steven B, age 8
"Moses came down with the Ten Amendments, which were God's Bill of Wrongs." - Susie F., age 7
"Doctors automatically know what's wrong with you. They have a sick sense." - Beau M., age 10
"My dog had worms. I think he was going fishing." - Emma B., age 4
Contributed by: http://www.basicjokes.com/
Share your family-appropriate humorous adoption story or joke for possible publication in this newsletter. All submissions will be subject to the applicable terms, restrictions and conditions of Adoption Media, L.L.C.
| |
| | 12. Featured Adoption Professional | | | | |
Although we strive to provide our website users with accurate contact information for competent and experienced adoption professionals, our display of that information should not be considered as an endorsement or guarantee of the services they offer or provide.
Angel Adoption, Inc. - Cary, IL
Phone: (847) 462-8874 Toll-free: (877) 264-3555 Fax: (847)462-0906 E-mail: Angel Adoption, Inc.
Services: • Adoption Facilitators • Home Studies
more
Find adoption agencies, attorneys and other adoption professionals in your area at adoptiondirectory.com. When you contact adoption professionals using our directory, please make sure to let them know how you found them.
See what your own directory ad could look like.
| |
| | 13. Speak Out | | | | |
This section is not intended to provide advice regarding specific search situations. It is intended to discuss general search techniques and resources that may be consulted or utilized by readers at their own discretion. If readers are contacted by individuals that seek to provide search assistance, they should not assume that any searcher is a qualified professional or is indorsed by the Adoption.com website or Adoption Media, L.L.C. If users decide to provide information or payments to anyone, they do so at their own risk. The views contained in this section do not necessarily represent the views of Adoption Media, L.L.C., or any of its sponsors, advertisers or collaborators.
This is for Becky who posted a comment on June 27. She was adopted in Indiana and was inquiring about applying for identifying (& non) information through the state. Here is the link to the necessary forms: http://www.in.gov/isdh/form/vital_record_forms.htm. She will only receive info (if she was adopted prior to 1986) if someone else in the triad has submitted information, but she may submit info in case someone comes looking.
Happy adoptees and birthmothers need to chime in here! Carmel wrote that adoption makes unwanted and abandoned kids turn into grateful but angry adults -- NOT! I am adopted, and if it were not for an intervening neighbor would have been one of those headlines where the boyfriend kills the newborn baby (as well as a toddler). True, financial support would be helpful to SOME pregnant women out there. But to others, including my own birthmother, adoption is the best option in the here and now. NOT thinking her boyfriend would change and accept the baby, not waiting for some counselor to try and change reality. Not leaving her babies with an IDIOT so she could go out with her girlfriends. She went on to get her life together and wait another 7 years before starting a family again. We keep in touch once a year or so. She wasn't ready for me -- my birthparents were! I am happy (and alive), and if I ever had issues, have certainly let them go. Move on already: Enjoy LIFE! Teresa Michelle
My daughter, Jacki, turns 16 next Tuesday [today]. She knows there is a sister of hers somewhere and has encouraged me in the past to seek her out. It had never occurred to me the rejection issue an adopted child fights. I used to think that since I was the one who choice to end the relationship, it wasn't my right to try to begin one. I'm so sorry to have been so far off the "norm". Anyway, I named Jacki's sister after my friend Nina and my ex-fiance', Cole. Nina Nicole, or possibly Heather, was born March 4, 1982, in Grand Marais, MINNESOTA. We'd all love to meet you. There is another sister, Dani (17). If you won't or can't - just know that Jesus loves you. Leona
To the person that would like to end an act of supreme love started from the beginning of time. Adoption probably saved my life, I was taken from my mother at the age of three and placed in foster care. For a long time I was angry about the lost connection and, you're right, no amount of love from my PARENTS could help me get though that, but I would hardly blame the adoption system for that. I hope they never stop advertising.
As a parent education teacher I see parents who have children and because they think they have no choice they do their best to raise their children in the most deplorable situations. I have seen what happens to children who are in homes WITH low income child care, parent coaches, free food and money and their children are dying inside. Thank you Adoption Weekly for getting parents hooked up with children that need GOOD homes to grow to their full capacity. Thank you for providing a place for people to search and reconnect in a safe environment where both parties want to meet and become aquatinted. Yes I wish I could find my real mother and feel what it is like to be with blood, but no I don't wish I was never taken away from her. She didn't know what she was doing and because of that I got to see how a complete stranger can love someone because they just do.
My mother told me time and time again as a child that I was chosen and that makes their love for me special. Yes I felt different and like an outsider at times but I also felt special and chosen. Grow up abused, hungry, poor, uneducated, hopeless NO! Grow up loved, taken care of and chosen Yes all day everyday.
I am sorry you can't understand what it is REALLY like to be adopted, I feel special because I have two mothers two fathers and enough brothers and sisters to have three basketball teams. I know I will meet my real mother and sisters someday and I will be able to love them because they are blood, but I got the chance to love a family because they are my FAMILY. Don't put down what you don't understand, you can study all you want but until you experience it you can't knock it. The chosen
Hi. My name is Priscilla and on June 13, 2005, I met my daughter that I placed up for adoption 24 years ago. It was a wonderful, emotional, dream come true. I had prayed for that moment for years. Never give up on your dream, then live to love to tell your story. Priscilla Santos
Speak Out - share your opinion, comment, or respond to a message.
| |
| |
14. Adoption Poetry | | | | |
I Thought Of You Today
..while tying my shoes. I looked up and your picture was smiling down at me from the wall.
...while I was driving around. I passed my old school, and I remembered graduation day. You were there to watch me.
...while I was having lunch. I had mac and cheese. You love mac and cheese.
...while I was at work. There was someone there that had your birthday.
...while I was watching TV. There was a commercial for Chuck E. Cheese. We had so much fun playing there.
...while I was washing my face before going to bed. I looked in the mirror and saw your nose.
So you see little one, even though you are far from my arms, you are never far from my thoughts.
Gina Wright-Ledet
Read more adoption poetry, or share your adoption poem.
| |
| | 15. Adoption Calendar | | | | |
“Although we strive to provide users with accurate information on upcoming events relating to adoption, since most event information is provided by users and the involved professionals, we are unable to independently verify the information provided, and therefore are unable to guarantee its completeness and accuracy or to endorse any event.
Adoption Events:
Free International Adoption Seminar
July 18 (6:30 pm - 8:30 pm) - Community United Methodist Church, 14700 Watertown Plank Rd, Elm Grove, WI
Sunshine Adoption, Inc. - Reservations Recommended: Call (262) 796-9898, or e-mail info@sunshineadoption.org.
Telling Our Adoption Stories - An Adoption Workshop By Telephone
July 19 (7:30 pm - 8:30 pm PST) - Howard County Central Library, 10375 Little Patuxent Parkway Columbia, MD
Adoption Paths - No fee; long distance toll charge only. Listen in by phone to find out what adopting a child is really like. Hear from three adoptive parents who chose very different paths to parenting: adopting from the foster care system, adopting a baby relinquished at birth, and adopting a child from overseas. After the parents tell their stories, ask questions. Moderated by Sara Lively, M.S.Ed., founder of Adoption Paths. For more information and registration, call Sara Lively at (831) 476-7252, or click here.
Free International Adoption Seminar
July 20 (6:30 pm - 8:30 pm) - Crossroads Presbyterian Church, 6031 W. Chapel Hill Rd, Mequon, WI
Sunshine Adoption, Inc. - Reservations Recommended: Call (262) 796-9898, or e-mail info@sunshineadoption.org.
Adopting from China - Informational Meeting
July 20 (6:30 pm - 8:30 pm) - Hermitage Baptist Church, 814 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Camden, SC
Great Wall China Adoption - For more information, or to register, contact Pam Ogburn at (803) 425-6613 or e-mail her. For additional information, click here.
Free International Adoption Seminar
July 22 (9:30 am - 11:30 am) - Aurora Health Center, 8348 Washington Avenue, Racine, WI
Sunshine Adoption, Inc. - Reservations Recommended: Call (262) 796-9898, or e-mail info@sunshineadoption.org.
Western MA/Upstate NY Adoption Information
August 1 (6:00 - 8:00 pm) - Holyoke Community College
Wide Horizons for Children, Inc. - For more information, visit our web site or call Jennifer Doane at (413) 448-8367.
Adopt from China Information Meeting
August 3 (7:00 - 8:30 pm) - A New Beginning, 9703 W. Ustick Rd, Suite 101, Boise, ID
Great Wall China Adoption. - For more information, call (208) 455-8610, or e-mail info@sunshineadoption.org.
Western MA/Upstate NY Adoption Information
August 5 (10:00 a.m. - noon) - East Greenbush Library, East Greenbush, NY
Wide Horizons for Children, Inc. - For more information, visit our web site or call Jennifer Doane at (413) 448-8367.
Manhattan Adoption Information
August 6 (10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) - 96th Street Public Library
Wide Horizons for Children, Inc. - For more information, visit our web site or call Maura Wiepert at (516) 922-0751.
New Hampshire Adoption Information
August 8 (6:30 - 8:30 pm) - Wide Horizons for Children, Inc., 116 South River Road, Bedford, NH
Wide Horizons for Children, Inc. - For more information, visit our web site or call Sandy Marston at (603) 792-2030.
Connecticut Adoption Information
August 9 (6:30 - 8:30 pm) - Wide Horizons for Children, Inc., 776 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT
Wide Horizons for Children, Inc. - For more information, visit our web site or call Joanna Coppa at (860) 570-1740.
Massachusetts Adoption Information
August 10 (6:30 - 8:30 pm) - Wide Horizons for Children, Inc., 460 Totten Pond Rd, Waltham, MA
Wide Horizons for Children, Inc. - For more information, visit our web site or call Noelle Crosby at (781) 419-0987.
New Jersey Adoption Information
August 10 (6:30 - 8:30 pm) - Plainfield, NJ Public Library
Wide Horizons for Children, Inc. - For more information, visit our web site or call Bridget Devine at (908-756-3000) 419-0987.
New York Adoption Information
August 16 (6:30 - 8:30 pm) - Wide Horizons for Children, Inc., 71 West Main St., Oyster Bay, NY
Wide Horizons for Children, Inc. - For more information, visit our web site or call Maura Wiepert at (516) 922-0751.
To view local listings, regional seminars, many other adoption events, and to list your organization's events, visit adoptioncalendar.com.
| |
| | | | | |
Adoption Week e-Magazine | | | |
Refer It
We hope you enjoyed this issue of the Adoption Week e-Magazine. We encourage you to forward this Newsletter to others whom you think 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 to its readers as a free community service. By using and reading it you are agreeing to be bound by the terms and conditions of its use as posted at AdoptionWeek.com. No warranties are made by Adoption Media, L.L.C., or any of its sponsors, advertisers or collaborators, relating to the accuracy of any information in this newsletter, and they do not endorse any adoption professional, adoption product or other adoption service that is referenced therein.
If you have received this e-mail erroneously, or do not agree to the terms of this disclaimer, please visit our subscribe or unsubscribe page.
(c) Adoption Media, LLC 2006
| | |
