Today's post is written by Becky Fawcett, co-founder of an amazing and beautiful organization called Helpusadopt.org.
As we approach Thanksgiving I am reminded of all of the things in this world that I am grateful for. I am also reminded of my life before my son Jake and the things I used to take for granted. Seven years ago, at age 31, I took family for granted. I thought that when I was ready to have children that it would be easy. I was wrong.
My husband and I tried to get pregnant on our own for a year and a half. Then we moved on to in vitro fertilization. After five rounds of IVF, three pregnancies, three miscarriages and nearly $100,000 of non-insurance covered medical bills; my husband and I decided that adoption was how we would build our family. But it would cost another $40,000. The road was long and difficult. Sometimes we wondered it we would ever be parents, but in October of 2005 our son Jake was born. It took 46 months and almost $140,000 but we were finally parents. We are truly grateful.
From the minute Jake was in our arms we wondered; what would we have done if we hadn’t had the money to adopt? How would we have become parents? Where would we have turned to for help? The thought haunted us. When Jake turned one, we started thinking about what we could do to help others become parents through adoption.
The idea was simple and the need was great. We created Helpusadopt.org a national non-profit financial grant program that helps couples and individuals with the costs of their adoption by awarding grants from $500-$15,000. We began fundraising in June of 2007 and officially launched the Helpusadopt.org website on November 1, 2007 the first day of National Adoption Month. In June of 2008 Helpusadopt.org awarded its first 8 grants totaling $53,000 and we are poised to award another $50,000 in grants on December 1st.
For more information on Helpusadopt.org, to donate or to apply for a grant please visit www.Helpusadopt.org. Remember, sometimes it only takes a little bit to change someone’s life.
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9 comments:
Touching story and it's awesome how family can take a challenge and turn it into an opportunity to help others. That's God at work!
Amazing. What a great story. I am so thankful for adopotion too...my wonderful cousin is adopted and my two favorite little sweeties...ca wait to see them again today! Love you!
Can't get your links to work. wonder if it's just my computer acting up.
we are in the process of adopting from Ethiopia. We have been on our agency's waitlist for 11 weeks now. Adoption is such a beautiful thing.
Love your blog!
ryane
Maybe thats why I am so drawn to your blog. My kids are adopted too! 22 month girl and 9 month old boy both adopted at birth. The financial cost is huge but the children priceless and I would do it again. I want to do it again, but don't know if I am ready to handle the home inspections, waiting, waiting and waiting. Thank you for the link, I will post it to my blog.
Jen
We have 3 boys the oldest's adoption was finalized in February of 2005 and the younger two we are in the process of adopting through the state--not a pleasant process, but we sure love them and are so glad to have them. What a great work you are doing to help other adopt too. It's not an easy thing.
Love your blog!
What an amazing story and what an awesome organization!
This is wonderful. You are a blessing to your children, your family, and to so many others...keep sharing your love and compassion.
Btw, I finally made the paper cornucopia's with my girls this week. They turned out so well.
Thanks for all you do - big and small. ;)
Happy Thanksgiving!
yay for adoption!! 2 of our 4sweeties are adopted from Ethiopia! :)
I loved reading your adoption story. Adoption is a wonderful thing. You mentioned your son Jake? I have not seen any photos of him. Maybe I missed something. Your family is beautiful and blessed.
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