Giving Back to the Child that Changed Our Lives

“Prior to the adoption, our family was just us – Luba and me and our two cats,” said Christy. “We both have extended family, but living in the house it was just us.” She worked as a case worker for children in foster care for many years and there was one child in particular that made a huge impact on her life.

“That was Carter, the newest addition to our family through adoption,” said Christy. “I grew extremely close with Carter and felt a strong bond that I didn’t with any other child on my caseload. Luba had met Carter a few times at agency functions, and we both felt that there was just something special about her.” After changing positions within her agency, Christy no longer worked directly with Carter but was able to keep up with what was happening with her case. Watching Carter struggle to thrive in her foster home was the major reason that made Christy want to adopt her. She needed a home with a family that loved and cared about all her wants and needs.

Carter was in a program called Wendy’s Wonderful Kids. She had been in care a total of seven years before being placed in their home. That is entirely too long! Christy and Luba talked to Carter’s Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Recruiter at Adopt America Network, who they said was amazing. She helped get them the answers they needed and helped with getting their home study completed.

The Adopt America Network staff made the process, which can be frustrating at times, go very smoothly and they were soon approved. Adopt America Network provided great support to the family throughout the whole placement process, and they knew they could rely on them for anything.

“She really became part of our family, too,” said Christy about the recruiter who made monthly visits to their home. “We really felt like she went above and beyond. It was such a great experience working with Adopt America Network. Without their help and support, the process would not have gone as smoothly as it did.” After being placed with Christy and Luba, Carter decided she wanted to change her name because she said she wanted a fresh start and felt more like herself being called Carter.

“We were both terrified of becoming parents to a teenager, having not been parents before and knowing that Carter had experienced so much trauma in her childhood. We questioned are we the best fit for her, is she going to grow to love us, can she see me as a mother rather than a caseworker, is she happy, will she accept Luba as her other mother,” said Christy.

“So many things go through your mind. Once she was officially placed though, things just kind of fell into place. It took some time, but it just feels like she has already been with us for years. Knowing that this child has chosen to let us be her parents is the most humbling and empowering feeling on the planet. We really feel that Carter has been our child all along!