The setting is unmistakably Hawaii, and Shelley and I, classic 1968: blond and tan in our stylish mini-dresses, the telltale bulges of early pregnancy thus far absent from our slender frames. We were girls waiting to become women, my friends and I — eighteen years old, but girls nonetheless — on the verge of grown-up lives that we could not yet envision.
What: Annual Adoption Conference
Where: Amway Grand Plaza, Grand Rapids, MI
When: August 2nd to 4th, 2013
Who: Korean American Adoptee Adoptive Families Network
Children and young people of all ages are in need of a foster home, but some people seem apprehensive about fostering a teenager.
What: Book Signing with Adoptee Author Rhonda Noonan
When: Saturday, July 20 from 1 to 3 P.M.
Where: Steve’s Sundry Books & More 2612 South Harvard in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Bonus: You get to say you met Winston Churchill’s Granddaughter!
What: First Families Against Adoption Trafficking Event
When: July 20th, 2012; 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Where: Lacey Timberland Library, Lacey Washington State
http://www.trlib.org/Locations/Pages/LibraryInformation.aspx?lib=la
Bonus: Peter Dodds!
June 22, Saturday-Chicago, IL- TruHarmony Yoga, 900 N. Franklin Ave. http://insideoutadoption.com/chicago.html
June 29, Saturday -Richmond, VA- coordinators2 inc, 8100 Three Chopt Road, Suite 101: http://insideoutadoption.com/richmond.html
June 30, Sunday-Washington, DC The Viva Center, 1555 Connecticut Ave. NW: http://insideoutadoption.com/dc.html
July 6, Saturday-Boston, MA – The Home for Little Wanderers, 50 Redfield St. (Dorchester): http://insideoutadoption.com/boston.html
July 7, Sunday -Westfield, MA- Genesis Spiritual Life & Conference Center, (near the Berkshires) http://insideoutadoption.com/genesis.html Genesis Inside Out Facebook Event Page For This Seminar – https://www.facebook.com/events/588806021154315/
But women are not informed of the very serious physical and psychological consequences of abortion adoption , and the adoption alternative is not promoted as the positive, life-affirming option contains lifelong loss, unresolved grief and sadness for both mother and child.
Assume that all children who have been adopted or fostered have experienced trauma.” says the American Academy of Pediatrics in new guide.
So What Difference Does it Make That A Act of Love is a For-Profit Agency?
The bigger question is why this agency has been allowed to be a member of National Council For Adoption. Doesn’t NCFA have a vetting process for its members? Or does it simply enroll agencies that can afford its membership fees? Does NCFA even know it has a for-profit agency in its corral?
WHO: Donaldson Adoption Institute
WHEN: June 11th, 2013 6:30 to 9:00 PM
WHERE: The Century Association at7 W 43rd St New York, NY 10036
BONUS: Ann Fessler will be there!
I look at the photographs of my childhood and I can see the big smiles, and all the gifts under the Christmas tree. I can see how most people would look at me and see a happy adopted 16.5 year old girl. Most people would think I am lucky to have two families, other adopted people may think I am fortunate to know my genetic history, my heritage and where I came from. But what I see is different from what other people see; I can plainly see the pain behind the smile.
Forced adoption is a drastic step; there aren’t words to express the trauma it causes to all concerned. It surely should be preserved as a last resort, a final call for those cases where children are in grave danger and need a fresh start. In the case of loving parents who also happen to use illegal substances there are almost certainly much more appropriate methods to help, if help is required.
They agreed to send updates (letters and pictures) every 6 months until she turned 18 and kept up with that until about 3 years ago when the updates suddenly stopped. No explanation, no warning, nothing. The updates were being sent to me through CHS so I called the agency and got the run around. This, to me, is one of the most heartless and cruel things that can be done to a Mother and I’m in utter shock that this is actually happening.
WHO: Hudson Valley Adoption Support Group
WHEN: 1st Thursday of every month
WHERE: locations change, please confirm
BONUS: You get to hang out with me!!
Healing Adoption Wounds seminar offers the opportunity to identify deep wounds and challenges, and use creative expression and spiritual practices to foster healing. Created and facilitated by Craig Hyman and Patrick McMahon.
WEBSITE: Inside Out Adoption