The recent news of an American mother sending her adoptive son back to Russia on a plane has shaken more than just the adoption community. After reading a variety of news stories on the situation covering the overview, commentary, and the delegation information in response, I have to admit that there are still many aspects of this story that trouble me.
- Why wasn't the social worker notified about these new behaviors? Our social worker was instrumental in our post-placement visits and welcomed any questions or updates in between our visits as well as after our adoption finalization. Although I know that not every social worker is as helpful, there seems to be a break-down of communication that does not reflect our experiences or the experiences of many adoptive families in our community.
- What level of education was provided/required of this adoptive family prior to this placement? We underwent a weekend training class which covered a variety of topics including the lack of information with some countries. Regardless of the information that was or was not available, is sending a child back to an orphanage which allegedly had "beaten [him] with a broom handle" the best choice of a mother who has applied for another adoption?
- How can we, meaning everyone affected by adoption in some way shape or form, change the reputation of adoption which has been so traumatically damaged by this situation?
Our homestudy agency passed along an announcement regarding "Adoption Blogger Day" and a link to a petition. Those who know me know that I am certainly not a political activist by nature. My political views are often kept private, partially to avoid disagreement with members of my family, but this is not something I take lightly. In our experiences with adoption, I learned more about myself, my family, and what it means to be a parent through this adoption process than I ever imagined, and my heart aches for the families who have been greatly affected by this situation.
I PLEASE ask that those who read this consider participating in "Adoption Blogger Day." Whether you have experiences with an adoption in your own family or have take part in the adoption of another family, PLEASE consider taking a moment on Thursday, April 15th to reflect on this experience. Show people around the world (not just in Russia) that each adoption story does not end in such a tragedy.
Announcement:
We Are The Truth – an adoption blogger day: To ensure the world knows about every successful adoption, on Thursday, April 15, 2010 blog about your adoption or the adoption of someone you know. It doesn’t matter if your adoption is with Russia, domestic or otherwise international. Let the world know your truth!
Petition
- Recognizing that the tragic abandonment of Artyem Saviliev is an isolated incident and is not at all indicative of the thousands of successful adoptions between Russia and the Unites States, we, the undersigned:
- Respectfully call on President Medvedev and President Obama to lead an effort to ensure that the rights of children are protected and that every child’s right to a permanent and safe family is not interrupted due to the suspension intercountry adoption services.
- Respectfully call on President Medvedev and President Obama to ensure that their governments aggressively prosecute any individual involved in child abuse to the fullest extent of the law.
No comments:
Post a Comment