by kindred | Jun 23, 2015 | Uncategorized
By the time I was 18 months old, my mom had given birth to my brother, who instantly became the joy of my life. My mom and dad were unable to have children before my brother came along. People call me the good luck charm. This actually happens quite often with adoptive parents, perhaps because they are so grateful for their child, that the universe rewards them with another. I came to my parents through a private adoption that I still don’t know much about. My parents tried to explain to me that I was adopted as early as they thought that it would be comprehensible to me. They must have overestimated my intelligence as a three-year-old, because for a while I thought “adoption” meant “Baptism.” My parents would say, “You were adopted, and Pierre wasn’t.” So, I thought I was part of a religion and my baby brother was not included for whatever reason. I thought, “Ok, cool. I don’t get it, but that’s fine I guess.” I felt like I was a part of a cool club that he couldn’t join. I can’t remember an exact moment of grasping the concept of adoption, but I can remember having a solid understanding in kindergarten. I grew up in a small town, so all of my friends knew that I was adopted without me even telling them. I don’t recall any of my peers being hurtful towards me about it, only curious. I found out in fifth grade that a girl in my class had been adopted, too. I didn’t believe her at first because of her strong resemblance...
by kindred | Jun 3, 2015 | Uncategorized
By Madeleine Melcher Originally posted on Huffington Post Disclaimer: I am but one person with my own experience. Adoptees are human beings, so of course our feelings and experiences vary from black to white to every shade of gray. I cannot and do not speak for everyone, but will always stand up for everyone to have a chance to speak. When I was a baby, I lived in a car for a time. My birthmother left me behind one day and did not return. I was adopted when I was a little over a year old. Adoption is how I came to be with my family. I know people in supermarkets and school registration lines always seem to have a lot of questions when they see a family that was obviously built through adoption, and I certainly get a lot about mine, so in case you were wondering and because I have shared it with people since I was very young, this is what I want you to know in response to years of questions. 1. Foster kids are not like the foster kids you see in the movies. Yes, I was in foster care for a while, but I do not have red curly hair, a really furry dog or a gang of plucky girlfriends who can sing. Foster kids are kids. They are not damaged goods. They are children who have endured hardships that many of us cannot imagine; children who deserve safety, security and love. There are thousands of these sweet faces who “age out” of the system at age 18, still without a family to...
