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Elissa's Adoption Story

American Adoptions Scholar Elissa Commits to Help Others

During my pregnancy and delivery, the medical staff who was there to help and encourage me made a lifelong impression. I decided then I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. After two semesters of school being pregnant, I knew I could do anything after I had my son. I wanted to make a difference in this world on a real level. In April of 1986, the explosion of a nuclear reactor in the town of Chernobyl in the Ukraine, released an enormous amount of radiation. The people of the Ukraine and surrounding countries have been deeply affected. Children are being born with multiple holes in their heart. There is an operation that can be performed to reverse this. I want to continue to study medicine so that I may be able to aid in this procedure. I am expected to fund myself through college. I do keep employed while going to college, but those funds are barely able to pay for my textbooks, let alone, tuition. I will not be able to do anything in life without assistance of some kind. This is why I ask for yours.

Adoption has given my son a future. Adoption gave my son a second chance, so that he did not have to suffer because of the decisions his father and I made. One of the hardest things in the world is to let your child have a better life, even if it means your heart hurts a little. But the social workers and support they provide give you hope and healing. Adoption is the biggest blessing I have known. I was given the freedom to choose the family that I wanted for my son. I was given time and sensitivity to my needs. I found the most wonderful adoptive parents that could ever have existed. I am so blessed to see the great love that my son is receiving from them. Adoption is such a beautiful thing because it defines so many versions of love. I recommend adoption as an answer, when it seems like there are no answers or hope. Adoption has changed the lives of the adoptive family, my son, and I, for the better.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is American Adoptions the right adoption agency choice for many birth mothers?

American Adoptions is one of the largest licensed adoption agencies in the United States. Each year, we work with thousands of women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy and offer assistance to these women. Our large, caring staff is able to assist you seven days a week and provide you with one-on-one counseling about your pregnancy and available options.

You should choose an adoption agency where you feel completely comfortable with their services and staff. With American Adoptions, you will work with an Adoption Specialist who is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Adoption Specialist will be your advocate and will provide support and guidance as you create an adoption plan that is right for you.

How will the family tell my child about me and the adoption when my child is older?

Each family has their own style of introducing adoption to the child. When you are matched with an adoptive family, you can ask them this question. If you would like your Adoption Specialist to discuss it for you, just let her know. He or she can share your wishes or provide good ideas from other adoptive families.

You will also be able to share what you want your baby to know about you. You can complete a keepsake booklet to share hobbies, stories, photos of you and your family and a letter to your baby. The adoptive family can provide this to your child as he or she grows older. Be as creative as you like! Some birth mothers have even knitted a special blanket as a gift to their baby or given a similar symbol of their love.

The father of your baby can fill out the birth father's keepsake booklet or write a letter too. You may have other family members who would also like to share photos or a letter to the baby. This is your opportunity to pass on your and your family's love and to share your personality, history and reasons for choosing adoption. The adoptive family will treasure whatever information you provide and will share it with the baby at an appropriate age. In most adoptive homes, the word adoption is in the child's vocabulary early on, and adoption is celebrated in their lives.

Additional Resources

Teen Pregnancy - Information for Young Women

While not every woman who chooses adoption is a young mother, many are. Through adoption, many young women have found an ability to give their babies the best life possible, while finding the opportunity to realize their own dreams, as well. Call American Adoptions today at 1-800-ADOPTION.

Adoption Glossary

Do adoption terms and phrases leave you feeling confused? Learn the meaning to key adoption words and phrases with our comprehensive adoption glossary.

The Best for Her Babies - Why One Birth Mother Doesn't Regret Her Decision

Lindsey was already the mother to one baby with special needs when she found herself pregnant again. A single mom in the midst of a divorce, she knew adoption was the way to give both her daughters what they deserved.

Read the Story