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Michael Turay: Consider adopting an older child


02/02/04

MICHAEL TURAY

In August of 2003 my wife and I adopted an older child. He first came to us as
a foster child placed in our home for adoption. Our son was 11 when placed in
our home and 13 when the adoption became final.


Several years ago we took adoption classes. They were interesting and
educational. We were later assigned an adoption caseworker from Oregon's
Department of Human Services. She was positive about her program, but most
importantly she was positive about the children and very helpful to us.

Let's be honest. Not too many people walk through the doors interested in an
older child. We filled out a lot of paperwork, but it was never overwhelming.
There were background checks and our home had to be inspected and approved.

We got to see photos of prospective children. It was a shock to see so many
older kids waiting to be adopted. There were several photo albums filled with
pictures and biographical sketches.

Our caseworker soon got together with the caseworker of the young boy who would
later become our son. Our family history was sent to a selection committee in
Salem who decided we were a match. We were then given a copy of every report
and document that had ever been written about him. Nothing in the file made us
want to change our minds.

Fortunately, he was living in a city fairly close to us. It was arranged for us
to call him one evening. What an exciting experience. We met him later and he
visited us the following weekend. It was recommended that we see him every day
and we did. The next weekend he had an overnighter with us and the following
Tuesday we picked him up after school, and he has been with us ever since.

Having an 11-year-old come into our home and adopting him at 13 has been the
hardest job my wife and I have ever had. It has also been the most rewarding.

Older children are at risk of not being adopted because of their age. Some of
these older kids might need more help than others. They have had many promises
made to them over the years, and so many times these promises were broken. We
have never promised our son anything that we couldn't deliver. More adoptive
parents are needed.

We are so proud of our son. He is a good student. He'll begin high school this
September. He loves sports and we enjoy going to his games.

Please consider making a difference in someone's life. Adopt an older child.
Contact Oregon's Department of Human Services. Save a child's life.

Michael Turay and his family live in Southwest Portland.



-------------------------
A good friend will come and bail you out of jail . . . but, a true friend will
be sitting next to you saying, "Damn . . . that was fun!"
-----Unknown

>Subject: Consider adopting an older childFrom: lilmtncbn@aol.comnospam (LilMtnCbn)Date: 2/3/2004 9:23 AM Eastern Standard TimeMessage-id: <20040203092331.12710.00001496@mb-m29.aol.com>http://www.oregonlive.com/public_commentary/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1075381773263300.xmlMichael Turay: Consider adopting an older child

Thanks for posting this article, Marla. Our experience was pretty much
identical.

Dad


02/02/04MICHAEL TURAYIn August of 2003 my wife and I adopted an older child. He first came to usasa foster child placed in our home for adoption. Our son was 11 when placed inour home and 13 when the adoption became final.Several years ago we took adoption classes. They were interesting andeducational. We were later assigned an adoption caseworker from Oregon'sDepartment of Human Services. She was positive about her program, but mostimportantly she was positive about the children and very helpful to us.Let's be honest. Not too many people walk through the doors interested in anolder child. We filled out a lot of paperwork, but it was never overwhelming.There were background checks and our home had to be inspected and approved.We got to see photos of prospective children. It was a shock to see so manyolder kids waiting to be adopted. There were several photo albums filled withpictures and biographical sketches.Our caseworker soon got together with the caseworker of the young boy whowouldlater become our son. Our family history was sent to a selection committee inSalem who decided we were a match. We were then given a copy of every reportand document that had ever been written about him. Nothing in the file madeuswant to change our minds.Fortunately, he was living in a city fairly close to us. It was arranged forusto call him one evening. What an exciting experience. We met him later and hevisited us the following weekend. It was recommended that we see him everydayand we did. The next weekend he had an overnighter with us and the followingTuesday we picked him up after school, and he has been with us ever since.Having an 11-year-old come into our home and adopting him at 13 has been thehardest job my wife and I have ever had. It has also been the most rewarding.Older children are at risk of not being adopted because of their age. Some ofthese older kids might need more help than others. They have had manypromisesmade to them over the years, and so many times these promises were broken. Wehave never promised our son anything that we couldn't deliver. More adoptiveparents are needed.We are so proud of our son. He is a good student. He'll begin high schoolthisSeptember. He loves sports and we enjoy going to his games.Please consider making a difference in someone's life. Adopt an older child.Contact Oregon's Department of Human Services. Save a child's life.Michael Turay and his family live in Southwest Portland.-------------------------A good friend will come and bail you out of jail . . . but, a true friendwillbe sitting next to you saying, "Damn . . . that was fun!"-----Unknown

Thanks Marla - this really deserves a much wider readership.

Helen


"LilMtnCbn" <lilmtncbn@aol.comnospam> wrote in message
news:20040203092331.12710.00001496@mb-m29.aol.com... http://www.oregonlive.com/public_commentary/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/edit orial/1075381773263300.xml Michael Turay: Consider adopting an older child 02/02/04 MICHAEL TURAY In August of 2003 my wife and I adopted an older child. He first came to
us as a foster child placed in our home for adoption. Our son was 11 when placed
in our home and 13 when the adoption became final. Several years ago we took adoption classes. They were interesting and educational. We were later assigned an adoption caseworker from Oregon's Department of Human Services. She was positive about her program, but most importantly she was positive about the children and very helpful to us. Let's be honest. Not too many people walk through the doors interested in
an older child. We filled out a lot of paperwork, but it was never
overwhelming. There were background checks and our home had to be inspected and
approved. We got to see photos of prospective children. It was a shock to see so
many older kids waiting to be adopted. There were several photo albums filled
with pictures and biographical sketches. Our caseworker soon got together with the caseworker of the young boy who
would later become our son. Our family history was sent to a selection committee
in Salem who decided we were a match. We were then given a copy of every
report and document that had ever been written about him. Nothing in the file
made us want to change our minds. Fortunately, he was living in a city fairly close to us. It was arranged
for us to call him one evening. What an exciting experience. We met him later and
he visited us the following weekend. It was recommended that we see him every
day and we did. The next weekend he had an overnighter with us and the
following Tuesday we picked him up after school, and he has been with us ever since. Having an 11-year-old come into our home and adopting him at 13 has been
the hardest job my wife and I have ever had. It has also been the most
rewarding. Older children are at risk of not being adopted because of their age. Some
of these older kids might need more help than others. They have had many
promises made to them over the years, and so many times these promises were broken.
We have never promised our son anything that we couldn't deliver. More
adoptive parents are needed. We are so proud of our son. He is a good student. He'll begin high school
this September. He loves sports and we enjoy going to his games. Please consider making a difference in someone's life. Adopt an older
child. Contact Oregon's Department of Human Services. Save a child's life. Michael Turay and his family live in Southwest Portland. ------------------------- A good friend will come and bail you out of jail . . . but, a true friend
will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn . . . that was fun!" -----Unknown