An Advocate for Adoption

[Dee Thompson]

I am so pleased to find this website. I have been writing about adoption for several years, but just found this site. I am very interested in all adoption topics, but particularly in the adoption of older children.

I adopted my daughter in 2004, after meeting her in 2003 when my choir sang at her orphanage. I was single and I had never even considered adopting, much less considered an 11 year old! She was so tiny, she looked about 7. I knew the moment I saw her that she was my daughter. It took a long time to get her home. I faced an orphanage director who didn't like Americans and refused to talk to my agency, I was laid off from my job, I ended a relationship because he didn't want children, I had to refinance my home to afford the fees, some family members thought I was crazy, etc. So many obstacles. It was a great victory the day I was finally able to bring Alesia home. She has been an absolute joy. We have had challenges, but she is a great kid.

I was able to adopt Alesia's brother Michael this past April, in Kazakhstan. Michael has a limb difference - he is missing his right hand due to a frostbite accident. However, he is a bright, well-behaved, funny boy, just a delight.

I wrote a little children's book called Jack's New Family and published it in English and in Russian, to help my son understand what it would be like to live in an American family. He has read it several times now. My experience with my daughter, and feedback from other parents, made it an easy book to write. Many parents have found it helpful too, as it explains a good bit about orphanage life for older kids.

I have written two other books, about my children's adoptions, in hopes of inspiring others to adopt older children, whether here or abroad. (I am currently looking for a publisher.) There are so many wonderul kids in need of loving homes. I made a vow the last time I left my daughter's orphanage, that I would do everything I could to advocate for these kids, because so few people do that. It's my life's work.

Thanks for reading!

Dee

[Terri Rimmer]

Please vote for me. See below:

Dear Terri,


Thanks very much for your submission to the first writing contest @ thenovelette.com on the theme of Babies.


Congratulations! Your writing submission has been approved and now appears online at http://writingcontest.thenovelette.com/terri-rimmer/ .


Entrants are eligible in two prize categories: a Reader's Award, based on reader votes, and an Editor's Award, based on the votes of our editorial judging panel. Please send your friends and any readers of your blog or other online publishing venture, to our website to read and vote on yours and other entries.

[Laura Christianson]

Hi Dee,

Welcome to Adoption Writers! I enjoyed reading your post and learning a little about you and your kids (and your writing, too, of course!).

Laura

[Sharon Beth Brani]

Welcome Dee, I have two girls adopted from Russia. I also am a single mom so can relate to your experiences. Great job in writing and publishing those books. I hope you are able to write many more. I look forward to hearing from you, sharon beth brani, Noelle and Jenny's mom