TIME magazine made its way into my post office box as it does every month. I was mindlessly thumbing through the articles when the title of a particular story caught my eye: "When the Adopted Can't Adapt." See article here: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1997439,00.html After reading the article, I immediately thought of the children at Home of Hope. I wondered what they would say if they could read, if they could understand. I thought of the lives of so many children that have been changed for the good and the hearts of so many moms and dads that would never trade for even a moment what they have been blessed with through adoption. So, I decided to let my hand speak for me and I sent a letter to the Editor. Who knows if they will publish it. Here's what I wrote:
As an American mother of a Rwandese child I was immediately interested in your article “When the Adopted Can’t Adapt” as it pertains to international adoption. Not surprisingly, I was disappointed to read, once again, another negative spin on adoption. Are there adoptions with difficult, painful residual effects, like the ones you so vividly described? Absolutely. But what the press never seems to cover are the thousands of international adoptions that have given the unloved, abandoned orphans of this world loving families who adjust reasonably, who thrive, who grow up as any other normal child. I wonder how many families will decide not to adopt after reading your article? I wonder how many children who have no one will lose what they never had?
Well, I'm a good story in the making. And so are many of you. Let's raise our voices and be heard in our own spheres.
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So glad you spoke up, Hanna.
ReplyDeleteI followed the link and read this. And read it again. I tried to find out what the true purpose of the article was. And I couldn't find one. There were no positives mentioned, and although there are definitely risks and trials involved with adopting, no balance of the positives were really given. I think it is shameful how our media only seems to focus on the negative for sensationalized journalism. I have noticed this on the news as well- the questions are always pointed and looking for the negative. No wonder our spirits get overwhelmed with life! We are always thinking about and shown the worst-case scenarios. I think it is criminal if that article puts off even one prospective adoptive parent.
ReplyDeleteOn a lighter note, I am loving the photos you are posting as Keza settles into your family. They are beautiful and are definitely inspiring us in our adoption journey. Congratulations:)