A Small Part of Our Adoption Story (Vietnam)
Thank you for choosing to visit with us. We are Phil and Nancy, and Andrew is our wonderful son from Vietnam.
We started our journey into the adoption process about 1991. After enduring a pregnancy that ended in miscarriage and a barrage of infertility tests and procedures, we decided to consider adoption. At that time we began to look at many different agencies and programs. We soon became discouraged, as we would not find a program that fit us. They all seemed so cold and impersonal. For a year or so we put our search on hold. Then one day we decided to start looking again. We picked up the yellow pages and there was Thursday’s Child. We decided to give them a call. The director, Iris, was in the office and told us there was soon to be small living room dialogue at the home of an agency adoptive family. We attended the meeting and were thrilled with what we heard. All of the experiences that were shared with us at the meeting were positive and we went home thinking this might be the agency for us. The next day the director called to see how we felt and to learn a little more about us. We were shocked. Imagine the director of the agency calling to find out what we were thinking! We had not experienced such personal attention from any of the other agencies we had looked in to. Soon we were invited to a potluck supper and had a chance to talk with more families, all of whom shared very different, but positive stories. We saw the happy faces of many children of a variety of backgrounds and that is what sold us on working with Thursday’s Child to adopt our own precious child.
Thursday’s Child is such a unique agency. Everything about the agency is so personal. It was great to have the director and the social workers know you by name. We never felt like just another number or client. During the actual adoption process we always felt informed and cared for. One thing that made us choose Thursday’s Child was the ongoing relationship that many families have had with the agency. We never felt any pressure to apply or to make an immediate decision and we felt that the agency was very open and up-front with us on all issues. We also felt that the staff people we encountered viewed each child they helped as “one of their own”.
Making the decision to adopt is sometimes a very hard one. We know that not all of you will get a chance to attend agency get-togethers if you are choosing Thursday’s Child from some distance. It’s great to get together with other families who have gone through the process and to see how their children are growing and developing. You may also not get to meet the staff personally if you are living out of state, but we know that the agency will do everything possible to help you and to make you feel cared for.
Our son Andrew was four months old when he arrived from Vietnam in December of 1994. During the weeks that followed, the agency was a great resource and support for us. They were always there to answer our questions or to give advice. Our home is now complete with the addition of our son from Vietnam. We enjoy seeing the world through his eyes. Our leisure time now includes picnics, Disney movies, visits to parks and zoos, playgroups and other fun activities.
Parenting has been the biggest and most rewarding challenge we have ever faced. All of the ups and downs of the adoption process are far outweighed by having the opportunity to raise our child. Our son is the joy of our lives.
Phil and Nancy- Windsor, CT
Director’s note: Phil and Nancy were also incredible about making us feel special and appreciated. I was invited to a service at their church during which they told their story and talked about our role in their adoption. It was a memorable occasion for me to hear this and to meet their friends, family and church community.