Our story begins many years ago. Upon realizing he would not have a younger sibling my son asked me for a little brother. Being single and not in any relationship which could transform into the producing of a little brother I thought about adoption.
I was working for the state of Florida human services. I went to the foster care program and applied to become a foster parent. After several months of classes and home study process paperwork we were a licensed foster home in 1990. After no placements for a six month period I get a call during my lunch break that a little boy about 1 1/2 needs a placement. I went after work to meet with the counselor and this little boy became part of our family. That little boy is now 19 years old, living on his own in Ohio. I loved the foster care environment, their staff had a high turn over so there was always opening, I applied to work in the foster care program and was hired.
A couple years went by and many many placements in our home. Many short term, with a couple long. Some nightmares, many memories with sweet blessings. We were able to adopt the little boy after about five years of long trying foster care years. The following years brought a rule at the department that foster care counselors can no longer work in the field and take in children as foster parents. They did not appose adoption. I decided to adopt a pre-teen from another state. She had resentment and had institutional behaviors she couldn't seem to get past. I felt compelled to take the task of making her a part of our family. This was a journey of patience. She is a beautiful Woman with a young daughter now living in the same town as I do.
In 1997 I met a man who seemed to love me, with the children, as a gift of family which he had never experienced. We married after a very short dating period. I retired from the state in the year 2000 to be a full time mom. We, together adopted four children; one little girl I had fostered off and on for years since she was a newborn and three who came to us through the work of a higher power and they all have very special needs. The marriage ended after many trials with his Bipolar management unsuccessful. Unfortunately, it is not possible for him to be a part of the children's lives or help in the support of their upbringing.
As a single mom since February of 2003, I focused all my efforts on raising the children in our community with their services in place and the support of friends. I have been appointed to the board of the Family Care Council by Gov. Crist, sit on the advisory board for the school district by invitation from Dr. Browder and continue to run SW FL PODS Angels Family Support Group, Inc. The children thrive today from being in natural settings whenever possible. It is heart warming to watch each of them reach goals in their development many said they could never reach. Much of what I have learned in raising my children is never say can't or won't. JUST DO IT!
Today I am the single parent to:
A 14 year old girl, (joined our family at one week of age).. with all the challanges teens bring to a family. She has ADD with teen hormones ...LOL what a combination. Her likes are the computer, her ipod, movies, the mall, make-up, THE PHONE, and everything an active teen girl wants..
A 13 year old girl, (joined our family at 3 years old) who loves school, she enjoys sports, music/singing, movies about monkeys and happens to have Down syndrome. She is a pretty typical teenager and has raging hormones at times although can be turned around and never holds a grumpy mood too long. She loves to travel and is always asking to go on an airplane and HOTEL. She has an over active thyroid so is thin and petite. http://www.ndsccenter.org/
An 11 year old son (joined our family at 2 years of age) I have perm legal custody.... He is a funny guy with many ball caps as his desire to collect ball caps. He loves magazines and books. His bedroome is all about space with the orbit hand painted on his walls and stars all over his ceiling. He giggles like no one else I know, loves to pour water and sand. He has Down syndrome. He loves to eat so we have to watch his weight-food intake. http://www.ndss.org/
A 7 year old fireball...(joined our family at birth, 5 hours old) He is the active guy with a personality to steal your heart. His smile is contagious with missing teeth and a giggle which comes from his toes. He likes to be physical, cllimb, swing high, climb to the top of what ever he can. He likes Scoobie do movies and sucks his thumb when he is tired. He also has Down syndrome http://www.podsangels.org/
A 6 year old girl, (joined our family at 2 months) who is smart as a whip and doesn't miss a thing. She has a great memory and loves to pretend. Her room is her favorite place as it has her baby dolls, kitchen set and TV. She likes music although tend to watch too much TV. Her "boyfriend" is Handimany form the Disney show. She is a bit lazy when it comes to sports and physical activity so has to be motivated and that is easy with praise. She has a rare genetic disposition called Prader-Willi syndrome, which has also brought on insulin reistance. http://www.pwsausa.org/
and today we consider adding to our family, we have found a home in the Cape that will be wonderful for us to grow and blossom.....so our journey continues and we will keep you posted on homes and family.
