We bring you monday's child each week to help find adoptive homes for children in foster care. And there is a growing need for families who will take-in children with disabilities.
One North State family enjoying the benefits of adopting all types of kids. Sherry and Brian McLaughlin have twelve children...two are birth children...the rest are adopted. Eight live at home. Sherry says,"There's such a great need . so many children deserve a fighting chance. Won't get that unless willing adults to bring 'em in, nurture 'em, and love 'em, and be a family."
The McLaughlins adopted two year old Lucy a year ago. Lucy is a darling little girl who has a form of dwarfism. They believe children with special needs shouldn't be "written off", and say in foster care they are often given an inaccurate prognosis,"We have a little one who's four now who wasn't supposed to live more than a couple of months and she's phenomenal. That same child we were told would never plateau over two years old, and she's in the normal criteria now. "
Sherry says it's important to have suport from friends and family, and to educate yourself about a child's condiiton..she uses the internet and support foundations to help her be their strongest advocate,"Like any other child when take first step. If two years instead of one year, as has been the case with a lot of them, their first words, when they learn sign if they can't speak. It's all of those breakthrough moments that you celebrate with them."
The McLaughlins would be the first to argue that they're not "special people" ... just because they've adopted these children,"We're not that special. Bryan and I don't have formal training. We're not special people, just willing hearts."
To learn more about some of the local children who are up for adoption, or to find out more about adoption in general just browse "Monday's Child" on our website.
