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Acknowledging Birth Parents in This Issue ® A Quarterly Newsletter from Winter 2006 Acknowledging Birth Parents In This Issue Birth Mother's Day is held the 2nd acknowledge that adopted children Saturday in May, the day right have two mothers and the child is before Mother's Day. Mothers Day their shared link. is often one of the hardest days of the year for women who placed AFTH is holding their annual picnic their children for adoption. Not June 4, 2006 and many families acknowledged as mothers, and use this event as an opportunity to often not remembered or acknowl- reunite with their birth parents. edge by adoptive parents, Consider sending your birthmother birthmothers are an invitation to this invisible in our socie- event. ty. Even with the shift from closed to It is wonderful to 2 Russian Adoption open adoptions,birth AFTH is holding walk around the 4-5 Report on Holiday mothers are rarely their annual park and witness Special Events given much of a open adoption as it picnic June 4, 6 Book Reviews passing thought. 2006 many was meant to be. families use this Watching adoptive 6 Staff Anniversaries Is a woman who event as an parents and birth 6 Legislation gives birth to a child opportunity to parents sharing the 8 -9 International Program a mother, or is the reunite with their joy of the child that Updates woman who raises birth parents. they both love. 9 Tax Credit Update and nurtures that Please include a 10-11 Asian New Year Party child the mother? time and a place to 12 Upcoming Events Shouldn't the real question be why meet your birth parents, with so do we as a society feel we have many people attending this event it to choose? Why aren't both of can often be hard to find people. Insert: Spring Ed Series! these women considered mothers? Setting a time and a location helps MARCH is National Social Why is it such a threat to consider the frustration and fear that many Work Month! that birth mothers are mothers birth parents feel while trying to also? They carried their child for 9 locate the adoptive family. Our May 13, 2006 is Birth Mother months and made the ultimate welcome table is a great place to Day - Send your birth mother sacrifice so that their child would meet up with people just make sure a card acknowledging her have more opportunities than they you set a time. gift to your family, this birth were able to provide at that time in thier lives. It is time that we mothers day. © 2006 Adoptions From The Heart. All rights reserved. Adoptions From The Heart Quarterly Newsletter Adopting From Russia by Michelle Sanchez, BA, Adoption Counselor Frank and Amanda Himpsl ing" before deciding to never imagined that a pursue the adoption plan. passing comment to their social worker would In February of 2004, Frank quickly grow into an and Amanda took their first opportunity to become the trip to visit the girls in parents of three young Russia. Their initial meeting sisters from Russia. was the most rewarding However, it truly was a moment when the girls fortuitous moment for the immediately greeted them Himpsls. In April of 2004, as "mama" and "papa." Mila, Frank and Amanda Alyssa, and Rhiannon welcomed Mila age 6 instantly meshed well with years old, Alyssa age 4 Frank and Amanda, as if years old, and Rhiannon their family was always age 3 years old of the Amanda, Rhiannon, Alyssa, Frank and Mila meant to be. Though leaving Komi-Perm Region of the girls after the first trip Russia into their family. was the most difficult part of the process, they returned to Komi- For Frank and Amanda, their Often, Frank and Perm in April of 2004 to complete journey began in August of 2003 the adoption. when they applied to the AFTH Amanda are told how Russia Program. After five years of lucky the girls are. Often, Frank and Amanda are told marriage, they felt ready to build Yet, after such an how lucky the girls are. Yet, after their family through international such an amazing experience, they adoption. Russia seemed like the amazing experience, feel they are the fortunate ones. right fit for them because of the they feel they are the Naturally, they have been faced program's history and stability. The fortunate ones. with the challenges of adjustment, rich culture has long interested particularly the language barrier. them as well. At Frank and Frank and Amanda learned the Amanda's pre-adoptive counseling basics of Russian to ensure that meeting, their social worker Komi-Perm hospital after being the girls' needs were being met, but discussed the details of the removed from their birth mother's the girls have now been speaking process along with the Himpsls home due to an unsuitable living English fluently five months after hopes and expectations. When environment and insufficient care. their arrival from Russia. Sesame questioned about the number of During their extended hospital stay, Street, Mila's English as a Second children they hoped to adopt, Frank all three girls were treated for Language program at school, and and Amanda expressed their desire respiratory problems and dysten- Alyssa and Rhiannon's pre-school for two children, a baby and a tary while Mila was also treated for have worked wonders in improving toddler. As a playful afterthought, tuberculosis. After their recovery, their language skills. Frank added "Or more!" Mila, Alyssa, and Rhiannon landed in an orphanage while child The Himpsl family life seems as in In December of 2003, the Himpsls' welfare officials unsuccessfully step as if the girls had been with social worker remembered Frank's sought to find them a new home them since birth. Their lives now comment and approached them together within Russia. The Himpsl seems typical of any young family about a potential match of three girls' arduous journey then finally of five- a home filled with laughter, young sisters. A year before, Mila, brought them to Frank and music, and life and a schedule filled Alyssa, and Rhiannon (formerly Amanda. After the Himpsls were with ballet, swimming lessons, known as Margarita, Valeria, and presented with the potential match, school activities, and girl scouts. Ruselana) were placed in a they spent a few days "soul search- continued on next page 2 Winter 2006 Books and Other Resources for Russia and Eastern European Adoption Families for Russian & When I Met You : A Russian Ukrainian Adoption (FRUA) - Adoption Story by Adrienne www.frua.org - a support group Bashista- A wonderful story with for families adopting from beautiful illustrations. An excellent Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. way for parents to share their There are local chapters in PA, adoption experience with their NJ, WV, VA, & NY. There is children at an age appropriate currently no local chapter in DE. level. AFTH price $17.00 HC Eastern European Adoption Please To Coalition - www.eeadopt.org - The Table: EEAC operates a number of The Russian Internet mailing lists that help Cookbook provide self-help networks for by Anya Von Now, a year after the Himpsl girls' families in all stages of adoption. Bremzen - placement, this rollercoaster has Authentic changed their life completely. Russian Frank and Amanda look back with recipes wonder and amazement and the combined wish to take the ride again. with interesting facts and stories. This is not just a cookbook but To learn more about our Russia more of a cultural learning experi- Program please contact our Russia ence. AFTH price: $15.00 PB Coordinator Sam Wojinlower in the Wynnewood Office (610) 642-7200 or by e-mail [email protected] Legislation Military Families Recieve Paid Leave Act does not apply to the would establish the registry and Leave Benefits for Adopted Armed Forces.) would charge a $25 fee for people to register. The bill has been Children: On Jan. 6, the U.S. VA Bill Would Establish a referred to the Committee on Congress included an amendment Health, Welfare and Institutions. giving military families who adopt Mutual Consent Adoption paid maternity leave and guaran- Registry: A bill (HB730) that would Missouri Forbids Gays from teed health coverage for their fam- allow birthparents, birth siblings or Foster Parenting: A lesbian couple ilies when it passed the National adoptees 21 years of age or older in Missouri were denied the ability to Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to exchange identifying information be foster parents due to an for Fiscal Year 2006 (P.L.109-163). through a mutual consent registry “unwritten rule” in the Missouri The "Military Adoption Act of 2005" was introduced to the Virginia Department of Social Service. The (Sec. 593 of the NDAA) grants up General Assembly by Rep. to 21 days of paid leave to the pri- Michele McQuigg in January. ACLU has filed a suite on the cou- mary caregiver following the place- Identifying information would be ples behalf, petitioning the court to ment of a child for adoption. Prior released when a match is made in grant them foster parent status. policy provided up to $5,000 per the registry, both birthparents of a According to recent statistics year in adoption expenses, but did registered adoptee are deceased, Missouri is struggling to find homes not allow paid leave after an adop- or by court order. The Virginia for over 1,900 foster children. tion. (The Family and Medical Department of Social Services 3 Winter 2006 Social Events.... Breakfast With Santa On November 26, 2005, Brian Parents, children and grandpar- and Jackie Bucks, owners of ents were greeted by Santa, the White Christmas Chalet in and feasted on a delicious Slatington, PA held a fundraiser breakfast in the scenic and to benefit China's "Tomorrow spacious dining room while Plan", which benefits Chinese being entertained by a juggler orphanages.
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