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Adoption Week e-Magazine Formerly Adopting.org Newsletter and Adoption.com Newsletter April 30, 2002 To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit www.AdoptionWeek.com. ************************ IN THIS ISSUE ************************ 1. ANNOUNCEMENTS: - Taking action to expose adoption fraud - AdoptionFraud.com - "Adoption...the Songs You Love" - Adoption.com and Adopting.org launch new home pages - Adoption.com thanks AAAA for their hospitality - The changing face of the American family 2. NEW ARTICLES 3. ADOPTION NEWS 4. DAVE THOMAS CENTER FOR ADOPTION - news summary 5. ADOPTION BOOK CLUB - adoption book review 6. ADOPTION BUZZ - recent message board discussions 7. MEET NEW ADOPTIVE PARENTS 8. FEATURED WAITING CHILD 9. REUNITED WITH BIRTHFAMLY 10. ADOPTION GEM - inspirational thought 11. ADOPTION POLL 12. ADOPTION SITE SPOTLIGHT 13. JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT - clean weekly humor 14. FEATURED ADOPTION PROFESSIONAL 15. ADOPTIONSHOP.COM PICK - review of an adoption product 16. SPEAK OUT - contributions from our readers 17. ADOPTION ONLINE GROUP REVIEW 18. ADOPTION POETRY 19. ADOPTION CALENDAR - adoption events, seminars, & chats *************************************************************** |
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1. ANNOUNCEMENTS TAKING ACTION TO EXPOSE ADOPTION FRAUD - ADOPTIONFRAUD.COM Sandra Lenington of Adoption.com had the opportunity to visit the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland on April 4, 2002 and met with Jennifer Philpot-Nissen, Human Rights Officer. As a result of that meeting, we have a new endeavor to help find cases where adoption irregularities exist, specifically if there are allegations that the child, in the process of being adopted, has become an object of sale (i.e, coercion on the mother by those who might stand to profit financially by the child adoption, or even situations in which a parent has "sold" his or her child.) [the files are at www.AdoptionFraud.com "ADOPTION...THE SONGS YOU LOVE" 
Adoption.com's new adoption CD, "Adoption...The Songs You Love", is dedicated to everyone who has been touched by adoption in one way or another. These adoption songs were compiled with the help of Adoption Week e-magazine readers who kindly suggested their favorite adoption songs for consideration. The emotion put into these popular songs will definitely touch your heart. The CD is being pre-sold at AdoptionShop.com and will be shipped on the release date. Thank you for making this CD the first of its kind! http://adoptionshop.com/cgi-bin/products/ADP00022.htmlADOPTION.COM AND ADOPTING.ORG LAUNCH NEW HOME PAGES The Internet's two most popular adoption websites have launched brand new home pages. This look and feel will soon be disseminated through the websites. Our goal is to help our visitors more easily find those areas of our websites of interest to them as easily as possible. Check out the new homepages at www.Adoption.com and www.Adopting.org and let us know what you think by e-mailing editor@adoption.com . ADOPTION.COM THANKS AAAA FOR THEIR HOSPITALITY Last week Adoption.com attended the annual conference of the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys in Chicago and would like to thank the Academy for their warm reception and hospitality. THE CHANGING FACE OF THE AMERICAN FAMILY featuring Adam Pertman Thursday, May 2, 2002, 6:45 to 9:00 PM - $15 Mr. Pertman will speak on the changing American family and there will be a panel discussion on open adoption and how it affects children. Petaluma Community Center 320 N. McDowell Blvd. Petaluma, CA Questions? Call RESOLVE at (415) 788-3002 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. It's the Children's Rights, Join in the Fight - new article by Terry Bagby Over the years, the foster care system has developed a bad reputation, based on many factors. One is the negative publicity about the kids who are lost in the system so long they develop all the classic syndromes and end up on prescription drugs and in therapy. Another is the growing number of kids who go into the foster care system and never get out. And the worst is the misperceptions of the foster care system and the belief that only “bad kids” end up in foster care. Most people think of foster children as “messed up ghetto kids” who are looking for just the right “benevolent” parents who are willing to devote their lives to helping these “special needs” children. http://e-magazine.adoption.com/article.php?articleid=44 On Using Positive Adoption Language - new article by Laura Christianson The cliches "give up" and "put up for adoption" slip out of our mouths unnoticed. However, they are inaccurate descriptors of what takes place when birth parents choose adoption. Yes, birth parents do "give up" their parental rights. But the phrase "give up" connotes more than that. It implies that birth parents give up on their child. It stigmatizes birth parents for deciding they aren't ready or able to parent. It sends a strong message to birth parents that adoption is the wrong choice. The phrase "put up for adoption," relegates the child to the status of a forlorn puppy at an animal rescue center, or a cast-off household item, up for auction to the highest bidder. http://e-magazine.adoption.com/article.php?articleid=45 Thank You For Giving Me Life - new article by Sheila Barlett I have been reunited with my birth sister who was given life nearly 41 years ago. I found out about this 5 years ago, and with my mom's blessing, I began my search online. At every registry I came across, I registered with all the information that I had. I worked on this for at least eight hours a week. I was beginning to feel that if she was looking to be found, I would have seen or heard something from her. http://e-magazine.adoption.com/article.php?articleid=46 Read these articles at www.AdoptionWeek.com Back to Top *************************************************************** 3. ADOPTION NEWS Parents File Lawsuit Against County for Wrongful Adoption (OH) http://www.adoption.com/includes/frame.php?url=http://www.activedayton.com/ddn/epaper/editions/today/metro_11.html Baby Fold Arranges Historic Adoption (IL) http://www.adoption.com/includes/frame.php?url=http://www.pantagraph.com/stories/042502/new_20020425012.shtml INS Probes Baby-Selling in Cambodia (AP U.S.) http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20020423/ap_on_re_us/cambodian_adoptions_2 Waco Couple Expands Family Through Adoption of Minorities (TX) http://www.adoption.com/includes/frame.php?url=http://www.wacotrib.com/auto/feed/news/2002/04/22/1019448490.03468.6140.3931.html Young Moms-to-Be Have Support (FL) http://www.adoption.com/includes/frame.php?url=http://www.sptimes.com/2002/04/20/Pasco/Young_moms_to_be_have.shtml Gilbert Couple Adopt 7, Including 4 from Troubled Family (AZ) http://www.adoption.com/includes/frame.php?url=http://www.arizonarepublic.com/arizona/articles/0423sterns23.html Family Matters (CA) http://www.adoption.com/includes/frame.php?url=http://www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-bin/newspro/viewnews.cgi?newsid1019489843,79625, Adoption Process Takes A Lot of Time (NE) http://www.theindependent.com/stories/042002/new_adoption20.html If any of the links to the news articles do not work, Click Here for a list of headlines. Back to Top *************************************************************** 4. DAVE THOMAS CENTER FOR ADOPTION LAW WEEKLY NEWS SUMMARY April 23, 2002 "NEW LAW CREDITED FOR SAVING BABIES; 'SAFE HAVEN' MEASURE LET FOUR DESPERATE MOTHERS HAND OVER THEIR NEWBORNS" - by Kawanza L. Griffin In April 2001, Wisconsin Governor Scott McCallum signed the "Safe Haven" law, thus allowing a mother to anonymously surrender her child to a police officer, an emergency medical technician, a member of the 911 emergency response team, or at a hospital within 72 hours of giving birth. After the baby is surrendered, the mother's parental rights are terminated and the baby is put up for adoption. Since the law's enactment, four babies have been safely surrendered to hospital personnel. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; Thursday, April 18, 2002; Final Edition; SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 01B. http://www.jsonline.com/news/State/apr02/36003.asp "ADOPTION BENEFITS FINDING HOMES" - by Judy Greenwald Corporate adoption benefits have been on the rise because companies that offer adoption assistance have relatively little to lose and much to gain. Reimbursement for adoption expenses is considered a "cheap" benefit because it makes a company a more attractive employer and does so at a low cost, given the relatively small number of employees who actually take advantage of the benefit. In addition to reimbursing expenses, more employers are offering paid or unpaid time off to care for an adopted child. However, offering corporate adoption benefits is still far from universal. Business Insurance; Monday, April 8, 2002; Pg. T3. http://www.businessinsurance.com/cgi-bin/search.pl Note: You must register to access archived articles. Credit: Dave Thomas Center for Adoption Law Link: http://www.law.capital.edu/adoption Back to Top *************************************************************** 5. ADOPTION BOOK CLUB  I Love You Like Crazy Cakes This nicely illustrated book written by Rose Lewis is the short but beautiful story of her experience as the adoptive mother of a baby girl from China. Jane Dyer, the illustrator does a magnificent job of bringing the experience to life with the use of delicate watercolors. This is a great children's book for toddlers of adoptive families. For more information on this book, visit http://adoptionshop.com/cgi-bin/products/ADP00919.html Back to Top *************************************************************** 6. ADOPTION BUZZ Bonding: - I Found My Birth Parents Outdated material has been removed. Please visit AdoptionBoards.com. Disappointing Reunions: - Does Talk of "Love" Scare You? Outdated material has been removed. Please visit AdoptionBoards.com. Adoptive Mothers' Stories: - Reunited...Finally Outdated material has been removed. Please visit AdoptionBoards.com. Poetry: - Unrelenting Question Outdated material has been removed. Please visit AdoptionBoards.com. If any of the links above do not work, visit www.Adoption.com for direct links to these discussions. For more online adoption discussions visit www.AdoptionBoards.com, www.AdoptionCafe.com and www.AdoptionForums.com.. Back to Top *************************************************************** 7. MEET NEW ADOPTIVE PARENTS Outdated material has been removed. Please visit ParentProfiles.com. Back to Top *************************************************************** 8. FEATURED WAITING CHILD 
The youngest of this sibling group, Harley is a likeable boy with a lot of personality and charm. He loves to explore his environment, and greets his caregivers with hugs and smiles. He is quite responsive to new adults, is interested in new things, and has the capacity to develop positive attachments. He loves to play with peers, but occasionally hits or pushes others if he is provoked. He sometimes shows explosive or unpredictable behavior and can be stubborn when upset. Harley tested positive for drugs at birth and suffered from tremors due to drug withdrawal. He has been in good physical health since coming into state care and is on no medications. He will need to be placed with his four older siblings and should easily adjust to his new family environment. Harley will need a nurturing family who will help him oversome his speech and language deficiencies.photolisting.adoption.com is a free community service of Adoption.com featuring more than 1,000 children awaiting loving, permanent homes. Back to Top *************************************************************** 9. REUNITED WITH BIRTHFAMILY Congratulations to everyone who has been reunited with their birthfamily this week! Please share your story with us at www.AdoptionWeek.com. My friend helped me in my search for my biologacal family she put my info on your web sight and with in 24 hours I had found my birth mother I just think that you are doing a great job! - Christopher To register in the Internet's largest adoption reunion registry for FREE, visit www.AdoptionRegistry.com. Back to Top *************************************************************** 10. ADOPTION GEM reveal to him his own. - Benjamin Disraeli is valuable, worth listening to, worthy of our touch. Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit." - e. e. cummings See a daily adoption gem at www.Adoption.com. Back to Top *************************************************************** 11. ADOPTION POLL Earlier this month, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services contacted The Baby Fold in Normal...and gave staff members 90 minutes to find prospective parents for a newborn left at a hospital in Northern Illinois. By law, the birth parents have 60 days from the time the baby is given up to reconsider. After that time, a court can sever parental rights and the adoption can proceed, Raper said. "It's exciting, very exciting," said the hopeful adoptive mother. "We think the law is wonderful. But we think the 60-day wait is a long time from our side. It's nerve-wrecking." Read the article: http://www.adoption.com/includes/frame.php?url=http://www.pantagraph.com/stories/042502/new_20020425012.shtml Question: Is 60 days really too long to wait for a birthmother to decide whether she wants to keep her abandoned baby or not? No, it is just enough time for her to make her final decision. No, in fact, she should be able to take atleast 6 months to decide; after all, this is a life-changing decision. Yes, it leaves willing adoptive parents in a limbo. Yes, when a woman makes the decision to leave or abandon her child, that should be considered her final decision concerning the child. Visit www.Adoption.com to vote and share your opinion. Back to Top *************************************************************** 12. ADOPTION SITE SPOTLIGHT This week, our adoption spotlight is shining on: www.ParentProfiles.com If you are a birthmother looking for adoptive parents, this is just the site for you. You can choose parents for your child by getting more acquainted with individual families while viewing their profiles online. Your search can be done by state, region, religion, etc. The advantage of this system is that you don't have to commit to any particular family until you decide you have found the perfect home for your child. Contact information is available in each case. For a list of our favorite adoption websites, visit adoptions.adoption.com. Back to Top *************************************************************** 13. JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT THE ACCIDENT A woman's six-year-old grandson called his mother from his friend Charlie's house and confessed he had broken a lamp when he threw a football in their living room. "But, Mom," he said, brightening, "you don't have to worry about buying another one. Charlie's mother said it was irreplaceable." Back to Top *************************************************************** 14. FEATURED ADOPTION PROFESSIONAL LAW OFFICE OF DENISE PATTON Shaumburg, IL attypatton@aol.com (847) 995-7003 As an adoption attorney, Denise Patton is sensitive to the many issues that arise in adoption and handles all of her calls personally, 7 days a week. For more information on The Law Office of Denise Patton, visit http://www.iladoptionattorney.com. Back to Top *************************************************************** 15. ADOPTIONSHOP.COM PICK My Baby Angel Sterling Silver Slide Charm - Only $49.00 
This slide charm is of substantial weight measuring approximately 1" X 3/4" and has a heart shaped area on the back for engraving a date. It exhibits precision detail. A baby angel is contently tucked ever so safe in God's hand. The shooting star reminds us that each time we see one overhead the baby angels are playing in the heavens. Our newest heartfelt design ‘My Baby Angel’ is being worn for a new or awaited birth as a reminder of Gods greatest gift. Or as a gentle reminder for the little souls that will forever rest peacefully in God's loving hand. It is also being worn by some just because they love angels.
For more information and ordering instructions, visit http://adoptionshop.com/cgi-bin/products/HRT00004.html. For more adoption products, visit http://adoptionshop.com. Back to Top *************************************************************** 16. SPEAK OUT I put my son up for adoption 30 years ago. I had posted to every web site imaginable, but to no avail. Then, one day my church was doing a pictorial directory and one of the samples was the church where my caseworker went. I sent her a letter asking if she remembered me and she did. I met with her and got my non-id information. This all happened in December of 2000. I found my son on his 29th birthday, December 11, 2000. I started e-mailing him and we talked through that. Finally, on his 30th birthday, which was 12/11/2001, we met him and his wife for supper. We as in my husband, my son, and I. I found not only my son, but a daughter-in-law and 3 grandchildren, 2 boys and 1 girl. I have two children now: two boys who are brothers and proud of it. I got to see him ordained as a deacon in his church on Sunday, along with his adoptive mother, whom I met for the first time. She was very sweet and friendly. We are taking it one day at a time, but it is working out great! We were all fortunate. He has a great job, marriage, kids and is someone to be proud of. - Ann credit: Adoptive Families Magazine link: http://www.adoptivefamiliesmagazine.com It has been a year since I found my sister; she was adopted at birth. My mother told me when I was 12 years old, but did not give me any details (39 years ago). With very little information, knowing the hospital, date, and my mom's name at the time, I was able to locate her with the help of a person that I found when I was on an adoption web site. Her name is Jamie Fredrick... My sister had lived 6 miles from me while growing up, went to a different school, but went to the same places as my other sisters and brothers. We still keep in contact, and my mother has changed so much; she smiles and just seems to have a brighter outlook on life. At first, I bought a book (how to find anyone, that has been advertised on TV, for 200.00)that was helpful, but Jamie was the person that found her. It cost me 400.00. Just felt that I needed to let other people know my story, because I did not really think that I would find my sister. - Dianna credit: Adoptive Search Registry To Speak Out and share your opinion or a comment, or to respond to a message, e-mail editor@adoption.com. Back to Top *************************************************************** 17. ADOPTION ONLINE SUPPORT GROUP REVIEW Here's a recent post from the Older Child Adoption support group: Hi, Tay and everyone else! My name is Wendy, and I just signed up for this list, so I really do want to be here and not removed! :) My husband and I are wanting to adopt an older boy between the ages of 4-6. I would love to hear from anyone that has already adopted and how the process went for them. How the child or children are coping with the transition. How they are coping with siblings if there were children already at home. I would also love to hear from anyone who is in the process now or just considering adopting an older child! I see so many people adopting from Russia...has anyone adopted from other countries? Anyone from Guatemala? There is a little boy (age 5) that we are very interested in but are not paper ready yet so he will probably be gone by the time we are but I'm not giving up yet. Looking forward to seeing all sorts of posts! :) Thanks, Wendy To be part of this group, visit http://adoptionlist.com, register, and join. Back to Top *************************************************************** 18. ADOPTION POETRY Will I breathe Again? Will I breathe again? My heart aches, my heart aches for you my little angel. I can't breathe, I miss you so much. The pain I feel cuts so deep like a knife in my heart. I can feel you. You forever exist in my heart. This feeling in my heart is all I have left. Is it good enough? NO! I long to hold you in my arms. How could I let you go? This I can not answer. I can not question it for a power far knowledgeable than I showed me this path. What does it mean? I do not know. I pray one day I will know the answer to this question. What lies ahead for us my little angel, for our paths have taken different turns. One day will our paths lead us back to each other, so I might breathe again? Only one has the answer. Please answer my prayer. One day, bring us back together so I may breathe again. - Unknown Author For more adoption poetry, visit www.AdoptionPoetry.com. Back to Top *************************************************************** 19. ADOPTION CALENDAR CHAT SCHEDULE: Sunday: Evening with Loretta for reunion support group chat at 6pm Pacific, 7pm Mountain, 8pm Central, 9pm Eastern. Monday: Evening with Karen DeLuca in adoptee room! Join her at 4:30pm Pacific, 5:30pm Mountain, 6:30pm Central, 7:30pm Eastern. Evening with Carol Bird in birthfamily support group chat, hosted in Reunite.com chat room at 5:30pm Pacific, 6:30pm Mountain, 7:30pm Central, 8:30pm Eastern until about 11:00pm. Eastern. Evening with Dr. Art Becker-Weidman, ask him questions on attachment therapy and treating children with trauma-attachment disorders. Join him in the Adopting.org chat room at 2pm Pacific, 3pm Mountain, 4pm Central, 5pm Eastern. Evening with Kathy; discuss ideas on getting started in the amazing journey of adoption. Join her at 7pm Pacific, 8pm Mountain, 9pm Central, 10pm Eastern in the Adopting.org chat room. Tuesday: Birthmom chat with Jennifer in the BirthMother.com chat room on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Tuesday, at 6:30pm Pacific, 7:30pm Mountain, 8:30pm Central, 9:30pm Eastern. Birth mom chat with Linda in Reunite.com chat room at 6pm Pacific, 7pm Mountain, 8pm Central, 9pm Eastern. General adoption chat with Jamie in the Adopting.org chat room at 7pm Pacific, 8pm Mountain, 9pm Central, 10pm Eastern. Wednesday: Pre- and adoptive parent chat with JJ and friends - Help as you begin the adoption process. Hosted in Adopting.org chat room at 5pm Pacific, 6pm Mountain, 7pm Central, 8pm 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 7pm Pacific, 8pm Mountain, 9pm Central, 10pm Eastern in the reunion room. International adoption with Donna at 5pm Pacific, 6pm Mountain, 7pm Central, 8pm Eastern in InternationalAdoption.com chat room. Parenting issues for adoptive/foster parents with Dimasmom in FosterParenting.com chat room at 6pm Pacific, 7pm Mountain, 8pm Central, 9pm Eastern. Thursday: Evening with Colleen Buckner, search expert, in Reunite.com chat room at 6pm Pacific, 7pm Mountain, 8pm Central, 9pm Eastern. Open adoption with Stephanie in Adopting.org chat room at 9pm Pacific, 10pm Mountain, 11pm Central, 12pm Eastern. Friday: Meet Louise and others in a forum for parents with children that may have physical challenges and/or emotional challenges in the InternationalAdoption.com chat room at 6pm Pacific, 7pm Mountain, 8pm Central, 9pm Eastern. Transracial and general adoption with Trish at 7pm Pacific, 8pm Mountain, 9pm Central, 10pm Eastern in the InternationalAdoption.com chat room. Saturday: Older child adoption/foster care behavioral issues with Jerry in FosterParenting.com chat room at 6pm Pacific, 7pm Mountain, 8pm Central, 9pm Eastern. For a listing of times and descriptions, and to attend scheduled chats, or join the live chat, visit http://forums.adoption.com/chat. For local listings, regional seminars, and many other adoption events, visit www.AdoptionCalendar.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 www.AdoptionWeek.com. TO ADVERTISE Would you like to advertise in the Adoption Week e-mail magazine? For more information, visit www.AdoptionWeek.com. REFER IT We hope you enjoyed this issue of Adoption Week 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 www.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 www.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. |
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