The Road to Parenthood, Adoption and Beyond
by Sam Henry
ISBN 085905 315 6, (2003 new), Soft Cover, 170pp, illustrated, 240grams
$26.00 + POST
Your purchase of this book ensures that all royalties are directed to the disadvantaged children of Ethiopia.
There are enormous positives with adoption. Realistically, though, when adopting older children from an overseas country, there are many emotional hurdles to over come before this can be truly acknowledged. The word 'adoption' in its most ideal of definitions conjures in one's mind the matching of a needy child to a loving family, however, this falls a long way short in reflecting the journey of all those involved in any adoption. The author speaks candidly regarding the frustrations and the events he and his family confronted before they could begin to absorb the joys of being a family. As the legacy of the past for each member of the family lost its significance, the family bond grew strong enough to challenge the obstacles that had been brought before it.
This story of hope encompasses a married couple's dream for Parenthood and how after moving through the disappointment of infertility they pursue the possibility of adopting children from an overseas country, Ethiopia. The journey reads from the viewpoint of the husband and adoptive father, thus adding another dimension to the current literature available on this most emotive of subjects.
The intention of the book is to provide invaluable information for those who are about to embark on their own journey towards parenthood, ideally enabling them to gain a first hand insight into some of the challenges that may lie ahead. Importantly the book may prove a comfort for anyone who is struggling through their own adoption path, taking solace that they are not alone. Additionally, close family and friends may see how important their support is to a couple travelling this adoption road. Detailed are some of the highs and lows experienced as well as the author's thoughts and feelings as the journey unfolded. Some of these most inner thoughts are rational, others totally irrational. In the long term it is hoped that the accumulation of people's experiences with regards to overseas adoption will impact favourably on the relevant authorities responsible for facilitating adoption, thus fostering changes within the system that will benefit all within the adoption process.
There is an undeniable need for such written honesty.