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Special Needs Adoption
Is It for You? By Margot Poss
Regulations for adopting children with special needs tend to be more lenient. For example, many agencies consider both single and married applicants ranging in age from 18 to 50 and sometimes even older. Divorce or physical challenges do not necessarily disqualify parents from adopting. What it takes is love, commitment and the willingness to adapt.
"Our story is a bit different," says Jana Moyer, mother of six from Gig Harbor, Wash. "We didn't set out to adopt special needs children. It all just fell into place." The Moyers, truly a most beautiful family, are in the process of finalizing the adoption of three Filipino children who had been abandoned by their parents and left to fend for themselves. As if that is not horrifying enough, two of the children contracted leprosy and were kicked out of their village, separating them from their eldest sister.
Today the children are adjusting beautifully to their new home. "All are leaders in their schools, either as cheerleaders, battalion commanders or student body government workers," says Moyer, a testimony to how children growing up in a loving, safe environment can become healthy, contributing members of society.