A woman living in Rhode Island writes to Louisiana Sandusky in Tennessee after she has read her books; she wanted to let her know what she thought of them, and how her books have inspired her to look into the possibility of adoption.
Saturday, July 30, 2005, 10:28 a.m., C.S.T.~
Dear Louisiana Sandusky~
You don't know me, but I know you, thanks to an article I had read (plus I read both of your books, "A Family Made out of Rainbows and Miracles" [I BELIEVE that is the correct title!] and its sequel, "...And The Miracles Continue"), and I felt I had to write to you, to tell you how moved I am by people such as yourself. You are a true angel of the earth, and it is because of people like you that children now have a chance to grow and flourish in a family environment.
My name is Tanya Eileen Gage, and I live in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. I was married (but am now divorced), and I have been toying with the idea of adoption (but don't really know where to start). Maybe you can give me some ideas on how to go about it, and what agencies to contact, and what to expect. I have a great love for children, particularly those who are "special needs", and I feel that they deserve a home (or a family) just like any other "normal" child (but then, what IS "normal"??). I know it is an often long, drawn-out process, but I am willing to try anything to get a child, and I would welcome them most wholeheartedly into my home. I have the room, and I AM good with my nieces and nephews or with the neighborhood children (or so I have often been told). I am willing to adopt a child older than the age of two (but a baby would be nice, too!), and I am more than willing to adopt a child who is of a different race, or a child who is disabled in any way.
I had a cousin when I was younger who had severe cerebral palsy, and it was maybe because of her that I have always wanted a child of my own (but my ex husband, the jerk, didn't want a family; so we were forced to spent the last six years of our lives as a childless couple, and I grew very depressed; he couldn't take my depression any more, so he left me after I caught him cheating; but that is an entirely different story altogether..and I WON'T go into details!). Now that he is out of the picture, I have often thought about adoption, and then I saw your article (and read your books), and now that flame is burning brightly again in my soul. But I DO have some questions, of which I will ask now...
...First of all, what prompted you to adopt children with special needs? I know you lost your three natural-born children (and I am so sorry about that; please do accept my deepest sympathies), and God intervened; but what was the MAIN idea about doing what you have done?
...Secondly, were any of the children particularly difficult to get, and what were some of the obstacles that you had to face to get them; and how did you get past it?
...Third, are there any more children in the future? (I would think not, especially since you already have over fifty children now to begin with!)
...Have you had any failed adoptions? How did you feel about them, and what did you do to overcome the grief and pain of those losses? Was it similar to losing somebody in death? How did you get past those uncertain, dark days?
...What children have especially benefitted your caring for them, and how have they changed you as a parent? What children have been the most challenging for you and your husband, and how did the previous children feel about their new arrivals?
...Have you had any problems with nosy neighbors, and how do you cope with people's oft-unkind comments or their stares? (I bet you DO make an interesting-looking family, what with all those children following you! *grins*)
...Did your foreign-born children have difficulty coping with their new home in America, and was it hard to learn the languages of those children? How many languages do you exactly speak? (I ask this because I noticed in your book that some of the phrases were in Vietnamese, French, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Russian. But I AM glad that you explained what those words meant in English; it makes it a lot easier for those who don't speak a foreign language at all...like yours truly, for example! *giggle*) Did they have problems adjusting to their new schools, and with the other kids in general? How did you help them through this scary transition?
Well, I hope you can answer these questions; any helpful advice would be much appreciated! But I DO have one more question...what are some reliable adoption agencies, and do I have to get an attourney? What is the cost, and how long does a typical waiting period last? I am sure it isn't nearly as long for a child with special needs as it would be for a healthy child, but again, I am willing to try anything to get a child of my own..or CHILDREN! I do have an awful lot of love to give, and I think I would be a wonderful (single) parent!
God bless you, Louisiana, and thank you for allowing me to write. I do hope to hear from you soon! Take care, and give your beautiful Rainbow Family of Miracles all my love and best wishes!
Most sincerely,
A new friend in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Tanya E. Gage.
You keep adding to your characters and making us all shake our heads in wonder at how you do it! Karen you are a marve!;-) I see a new one with a familiar middle name;-)lol Wonderful write!
Another new character! How do you keep doing it? I'm still trying to figure out the million and one you currently have. :) LOL
I look forward to reading more about Tanya and her quest for a family. :) If anyone is an expert, it's Louisiana...52 times over!! Okay, okay--soon to be 53. :)
Once again, you prove that your imagination takes its source from a refreshing, replenished spring of creative thought and, you share it generously. Merci mon amie. Amour et paix. Ton ami de la C-B. Régis
These song lyrics and art are tales, tides and twinkling lights - tunes telling stories of warmth and sun, city and sand, paths that lead, and the coins we can keep in the Karma Bank. Spirit's been bypassed for sorrow, dreaming of a better tomorrow .
Saturday, July 30, 2005, 10:28 a.m., C.S.T.~
