Here's a lovely story about a woman who chose adoption for her baby. It's not an easy path, but we are stronger than we may think!

With an open adoption, I was able to read about different adoptive couples and meet them before making my decision. I looked at four couples and chose three to meet. After meeting them, I was excited about the couple I chose because they were Christians like me.

When I was a teenager, I faced an unplanned pregnancy. Due to the influences around me, I nearly decided to terminate. During my first visit to the clinic, while lying on the exam table, the medical staff discovered that I was further along than the ultrasound had initially indicated.

Maryellen chose adoption for her son and chose his parents, Pauline and TJ. “Chicago Parent” ran a beautiful story of how everyone helped to shape a new, larger family. 

(60-minute Workshop Panel) This is a very rare opportunity to hear directly from birth moms — why they chose adoption for their babies, what they expected and what was on their hearts at the time. Learn whether & how they stayed involved in the child's upbringing, how they got support & care after placement, and how they feel now looking back on their decision.

From ‘Burden to Blessing.’

In the early years of college, my voice was stolen from me in a way I didn’t fully realize until later. Unable and unwilling to process the trauma in a healthy manner, I dove into my studies. As a musician, I hid in the practice room, preparing for multiple ensembles and voice lessons. I did my best to keep appearances. I was able to graduate with two degrees, cum laude in four years. Next up: grad school. As the practice & study routine that I’d become accustomed to was interrupted, the trauma of my past caught up to me. I started to experience flashbacks that affected my relationships and kept me up at night.