Haitian Orphans Flash Pan Appeal

*Right To Life Principle* The right to life of each human being shall be preserved and protected by every human being in society and by society as a whole.

The March For Life had added dimensions this past Friday. Not only was the stage set for a warmer day than The March For Life had seen in past years, but the word adoption was the rage this past week through the worldwide news. The earthquake that rattled Haiti put the images of hungry and hurt orphans living in street camps onto the world stage in living rooms around the world. Senators and their staff scrambled to apply pressure on federal agencies to develop the safe and swift evacuation of Haitian orphans who were obviously in peril. The attempts to adopt Haitian orphans had been a battle fought for a long time. It was a battle that had received little press. It was known about primarily by those who were directly involved with Haitian adoptions and knew about the homes for orphans that existed in the small country of Haiti.

Images of Haitian orphans flashed across every television screen in the offices of elected officials who were fighting on their behalf before they had emerged from battle. Many of them were spending long days in Haiti or working on behalf of Haitian orphans who seemed light years away. Planes of Haitian orphans arrived across The United States looking displaced. About 1,000 families in The United States had applied to adopt Haitian children. Many of the families who were waiting to adopt children had been waiting several years to adopt the children who they received.

Watching the images from the offices of elected officials, I felt a sense of elation. Not only were elected officials from across the country successful in their efforts to bring Haitian orphans to The United States where hope flourished but many of them advocated for The March For Life and pro-life beliefs. Tragedy, danger and unspeakable horrors were left behind in a place called yesterday for may of the Haitian orphans. This week, the decision was made by the government officials in Haiti to halt the departure of all orphans from the country until it can be assured that their adoptions have been approved. Only orphans whose paperwork has been examined and approved will be permitted to leave the country. This lends sorrow to orphans who are desperate to receive medical care and who Doctors Without Borders has been advocating for. It is hoped that through continued efforts, the Life Principles of The Right To Life might be realized for all of the orphans of Haiti.

Awareness Campaign Trails For All

Campaign trails are well travelled throughout the month of November. The candidates make promises and words flourish about countless issues. Along the campaign trail, the discussions rarely turn to issues related to adoption. While medical insurance is currently a hot topic, adoption issues that include medical advocacy and family health history are not frquently discussed much less included in campaign speeches.

The phrase for Adoption Awareness Month this year is "You don't have to be perfect." This is a fitting phrase for me this fall. While hobbling through the hallways of adoption reunion searches this autumn, I have felt anything but in perfect form. Fortunately I am only temporarily disabled and do not have something that would fill the pages of medical journals.

The word adoption appears on the pages of November calendars across the country during only one month of every year. Aside from that, adoption more than likely does not cross the minds of the majority of Americans for the rest of the year. There is only one month to educate and increase awareness about adoption. Non-identifying info, advocacy and legislation are adoption jargon which most people do not completely absorb during a month.

The month of November is short and the days of autumn fly by quickly. Everyone with an interest in adoption has a personal debt to educate about the many angels that are associated with it. After November, a time of Show And Tell should continue. All adoption stories hold the promise of a blessing for those who receive them. It is the magic of awareness.

Masks Of Self Exploration

The masks that are seen during the Halloween season have unlimited possibilities. While trying on an identity, a moment is seized to explore another identity. Almost from the first words that the Halloween season is here there is a rush of excitment to find and try on another identity for a brief period of time. This has frequently been attributed to self exploration at subconscious psychological levels.

Discovering birth families is a route of self exploration. After taking off the masks given through adoption other identities are found. Unlike Halloween, the identities found have permanent answers. The ripples run through self exploration and far beyond.

The fear of removing the masks to find the truth hiding behind them can be frightening. Memories that are made from the season can last for a lifetime. The horrors and mysteries of the possibilities of biological families can easily define sense of self. That can explain why the adoption search is a lifelong journey of self exploration.

Rainy Days, Mondays And Post Adoption Blues

This past week, I attended a course about post adoption depression. The symptoms can easily be compared with post partum depression. This type of depression has not been fully explored. Post adoption depression has long existed without being mentioned outside of immediate circles of discussion which have mostly happened behind closed doors.

It can be asked if depression is generational. Although there is no doubt that depression can extend through family branches there are unanswered questions about post adoption depression. Adoption dates are forgotten over time. The memories surrounding adoption that were once part of daily lives eventually fade. What genetic footprints are carried through generations in the form of emotions is a question that is unanswered.

Those who were once part of an adoption triangle all spent time looking at the same scene from different views. The birth mother loved the season that brought falling leaves across the landscape. Walking through a shaker scene of colors, she felt alone in her recent memories which included parting with her newly born child. The adoptive mother walked along a road filled with gravel, weeds and wildflowers. The baby was with her resting quietly in a carrier. Their paths did not interwine but were not far from one another.

The Keys Of Fatherhood

The images of Michael Jackson with his children have appeared on screen for years. Aside from streams of music videos featuring enough children to fill classrooms in urban areas, scenes of being a father have been splashed through news stories. After watching his family scenes for a lifetime, news updates during the past several days have brought surprises about what has been previously thought. There is a question about whether he is the father of any of the three children. The proof of paternity for his youngest child is more difficult to believe for what are obvious reasons.

The search for biological fathers has questions which are uniquely challenging. The first question that is looked for when an original birth certificate arrives is the name of two biological parents. A biological mother usually does not have her name withheld from the birth certificate. A biological father is not granted the same privledge many times. Through decisions that are made by him or someone else, his name can be easily withheld from a birth certificate and medical records.

There are countless questions which can be asked about a nameless father. There are several directions, including identity. Any medical questions through paternal lines frequently exist in abundance. The absence of a father's name has unanswered questions on a profound level.

Mothers Day Adoption Reunion

During the first week of May, there was a successful Mothers Day search reunion trip taken. There were birth notices, adoption relinquishments and telephone books included in the adoption searches that were done. The adoptees who requested searches were born in DC, Maryland and New York. Efforts to reunite biological families are being continued through June.

To receive a free consultation, send an email to piecesoftymes@yahoo.com .

Searching For A Rainy Day

During the economic downturn in the country, sharing is becoming more popular as a way to lighten costs. Adoption searching is no exception to becoming a shared event. Adoption searches are available for adoptees and other people who are seeking answers about their biological families. Through the end of April, applications are being accepted for adoption searches during the month of May.

The donations of cash are given towards a pool of money that those who register for adoption searches are able to draw from. This eliminates or lessens the amount that they would have to pay for adoption searching. The first phase of an adoption search is 300 dollars. This includes ten hours of search time and copies of the search.

Through the adoption search pool, those requesting adoption searches are able to pay 150 dollars. During the month of May, four applicants will be selected. One of these has been selected. Anyone can donate to the adoption search pool and receive updates about May's adoption search.

To contribute to the adoption search, please send cash through PayPal to OrphansGold@yahoo.com .