by Dawn Smith-Pliner Awestruck by the birth of her first grandbaby, one grandmother was shocked when she realized her tears were not those of joy, but of sadness. Realizing her grandbaby looked nothing like her brought back all of the struggles of her own infertility. Like lightening ...
by Carolyn Berger, L.C.S.W. Stories about couples readying themselves for their adoption home study are legion. Couples have been known to repaint their apartments, scrub between the bathroom tiles with an old toothbrush, and make sure there are cookies baking in the oven when the social ...
by Iris Waichler, L.C.S.W. A close friend and I were talking about something that affects many of us who have experienced infertility. She has moved from infertility into adoption. There have been some calls about babies ...
By Joni S. Mantell, L.C.S.W. For many, the decision to pursue adoption comes after years of struggling with infertility. Letting go of the dream for a biological child and embracing your deepest wish - to become a parent - usually involves some emotional work, your own and also ...
By Denise Seidelman, Esq. Both adoption and collaborative reproduction (fertility options that involve third parties, such as gamete donors and gestational surrogates) provide the means to create or expand your family. ...
by Rita Soronen, President & CEO, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Unadoptable. This is a word that I have heard attributed to some children in the foster care system, but this way of thinking is unacceptable. No child is too old, too much trouble or too sick to be denied what we believe ...
The leaves are falling off the trees now. My street looks like it's paved in flame, it's so beautiful in the morning walking the dogs. I've always loved this time of year. I live on a typical street, at least by Brooklyn standards. It's a family block. Lots of elderly people who have ...
by Iris Waichler, L.C.S.W. There is legal battle that has been brewing in Illinois that may interest others who live out of state. In July of this year the state of Illinois decided not to renew its $30.6 million foster care and adoption contracts for 2012 with Catholic ...
by Andrea Braverman, Ph.D. When is enough, enough? This question creeps in at different moments as you pursue infertility treatment. Enough is a judgment that is weighed individually but has common thoughts and feelings. For many, the point of Enough is reached when treatment ...
NEW YORK, October 20, 2011 – Despite laws in some states that impede the practice, a growing number of lesbians and gay men are adopting children in the United States – at least half of them providing families for boys and girls from foster care and 60% adopting transracially, ...