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Adoption Community Information
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| Ode to Jim |
Date Posted: 02-17-2006 at 09:18 AM |
| My husband and I are expecting our first child, but not in the way most people may think. We are hoping to adopt through open adoption. Open adoption often allows the birthmother to choose the adoptive parents for her unborn child and continue to build a relationship with both her child and the adoptive parents. Although there is no set rule on open adoption, commonly a fully open adoption includes the birth family and adoptive family both keeping in contact through visits, phone calls, photos, and letters. The adoptee grows up knowing his/her whole family, both biological and adoptive. Something that most people don’t realize is that one of the frontier-men for open adoption is right here in our area. Jim Gritter, of Catholic Human Services in Traverse City, is an incredible advocate for open adoption. This has made our area possibly one of the best places for open adoption in the United States, due to his understanding of what “Open Adoption” really means. At our first open adoption orientation meeting Jim asked us if we thought that the agency was more concerned about the adoptive parents or the birthparents. Naturally, we thought, “adoptive parents.” There was a loud gasp from the prospective adoptive parents in the room when Jim informed us that the agency was more concerned with birthparents. He explained that the appropriate perspective on adoption views adoptive parents as a resource to the birthfamily, not vice versa. He went on to explain the “Values Based Open Adoption,” which is based on honesty, integrity, and respect. Since then, we have had the opportunity to meet adoptive parents, birthparents, and adoptees involved with open adoption. We seem to learn more and more everyday. We have felt very lucky to have such an experienced person to work with. Sadly, Jim Gritter will be retiring this spring from his 30+ year career as a social worker and advocate of Open Adoption. In Jim’s career he has written several books on Open Adoption including Lifegivers and Adoption Without Fear as well as several others. He has been involved with educating other adoption social workers and leading many adoption conferences. I could go on and on. Whoever replaces Jim at Catholic Human Services will have mighty big shoes to fill. As Jim embarks on his journey of retirement I want to say you will be deeply missed by all. Thank you Jim, for everything. |
| Journey to motherhood for second baby |
Date Posted: 08-18-2007 at 05:52 PM |
| March: Meeting a woman due in June. We are one of two couples April: She chose other couple. Ok with that. I think Keelie scared her a little.  (Keelie is very busy) Other couple is very cool too.May: We were chosen by a birthmom, who changed her mind 2 days after having Dakota home with us. SAD day. June: Met a couple thinking about adoption. Husband is not biofather. Biofather wants baby. Big mess once we found out more details. We decided not to proceed with this adoption. July: Met a nice couple thinking about adoption. Felt baby move and kick around (very cool) Aug. 1st: Christian born still...VERY SAD  Sept. 14th: Got a call from a potential birthmom due in November with a girl. Meeting on the 22nd. After talking to her on the phone I have a good feeling about this. Nov. 17th: Kacy is born! She's perfect! Keeping my fingers crossed. |
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