2016 Adoption News Highlights

This was a big year for the adoption world.

Meghan Rivard January 07, 2017

Each year-end brings a review of accomplishments and highlights of events that occurred throughout the year. Following are adoption stories significant for the year of 2016.

Runners Adopt Four Children
1. Runners Adopt Four Children

One story that stood out was about Sara and Ryan Hall, two of the fastest runners in the world. In October of 2015 they adopted four daughters from Ethiopia and so for them, 2016 was a year of adjustment, bonding, and changes. The girls are 16, 12, 8, and 6 years of age and now all attend a local public school. They have all adjusted wonderfully and Sara and Ryan are fully loving their new family. “Building their new family has been as rewarding as any race.”
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President-elect Causes Riff in Adoption Community
2. President-elect Causes Riff in Adoption Community

In an article regarding the election of Donald Trump, there was concern expressed about the negative factors that political attitude could have on internal adoption. Would their internationally adopted child be told “he doesn’t belong” in the United States or would they be asked “why didn’t you adopt an American child instead?” It is important, in this holiday season and all year long, to treat every individual person with respect, regarding where we stand politically.

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Same-sex Adoption Policies
3. Same-sex Adoption Policies

What are the legal consequences when a same sex couple adopts and then separates? That is the scenario for a same-sex couple in New York who adopted a 6-year-old boy. Because the country they adopted from does not allow same-sex couples on the legal documents, one of the women is on the adoption paperwork and the other woman was listed as a roommate. The women have now separated and are going to court, each wanting parental rights of the child.

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Boy Raises Money For Gravestone
4. Boy Raises Money For Gravestone

I will conclude with a wonderful story about an 11-year-old adopted boy, Brandon, living in North Dakota. He began asking about his biological parents and found out that his biological father had passed away, but no one could afford a gravestone for the grave. So Brandon started mowing lawns and doing whatever he could to raise money. He earned enough money to purchase a gravestone and his family will be making a trip to deliver the gravestone. It is a story of true love and commitment.

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Meghan Rivard

Meghan is an adoptive mother and a big advocate of adoption and foster care. She resides in Indiana with her husband, their one-year-old daughter who is the center of their lives, and their dog Max. She has a Bachelor's and Master’s Degree in Social Work. Meghan stays at home with her daughter but is so happy she found this outlet to share her personal adoption story and educate about adoption!


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