Happy National Adoption Month!
To celebrate, we will be sharing stories and videos of those involved in the adoption process, or what is known as the Adoption Triad. This week we are exploring the experiences of birthparents.
The following is Elizabeth’s* story. She worked with Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge to make an adoption plan for her child, and she has given us permission to share this story with you.
I was 18 years old when I found out I was pregnant, and “scared” was an understatement. I felt completely lost and confused. This wasn’t supposed to happen to me; I was about to graduate high school and begin college. I was in disbelief that I was going to be having a child. But through all of the confusion, there was one thing I felt sure of: I was not ready to be a mother. Against my family wishes, after I went to the doctor to confirm the pregnancy, I met with an adoption agency, Catholic Charities. After what seems like hundreds of sessions meeting with a social worker, I felt so confident and at peace about my decision. I had chosen a couple that a friend of mine introduced me to. They were absolutely perfect. I had no doubt these people were who God intended my child to be with. Catholic Charities prepared me for more than I could have ever imagined. Not once did they ever pressure me to follow through with the adoption. In fact they even prepared for me the scenario in which I had my child and changed my mind. They made me truly understand that adoption is a loving choice. Once the time came to sign the adoption papers, I was completely overcome by my emotions. Yes there was sadness and grief over this loss, but more than that there was joy. There was joy knowing that my child would be given this amazing life that I would not have been able to provide. There was joy knowing that this couple who had struggled for years to have children are finally given a chance to be parents. And there was joy knowing that my child would be raised by the best, most loving parents. Any grief I had was completely outweighed by the joy and peace I felt from choosing adoption.
Do you have any questions about adoption? Call us Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge at 225-336-8708 or email us at adopt@ccdiobr.org.
*Client’s name has been changed to protect confidentiality
