by Michele Fried Eleanor’s story begins and ends in Niagara Falls, New York. When Eleanor was born she went home with her birth parents, their first child. The newborn made her father very happy. He loved to hold her and smell her and talk to her. But taking care of Eleanor became too difficult for
Continue reading »by Michele Fried I am a mother. Being a mother is the most important thing in my life. It is truly what brings me the most happiness. For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to be a “mommy”. I have been blessed many times with many wonderful children. I have been
Continue reading »by Michele Fried We are talking on the telephone when my friend casually mentions that she and her husband are planning on adopting. “We’re just beginning the adoption process,” she says. “Any advice?” she asks. “Adoption will change your life.” I simply say. “I know,” she says, “The home study process, waiting for the right
Continue reading »by Michele Fried When Kristina and Malik contacted the agency we found them to be a loving couple with an unexpected pregnancy. Kristina and Malik considered their relationship good yet felt that they were not yet ready for a child financially or emotionally. Kristina, a manager of a fast food restaurant works many hours and
Continue reading »by Michele Fried The other night I called for my kids to come kiss me goodnight … it was the three youngest kids (all teenagers) hanging out in the backyard with some of the neighborhood kids – the ones who refer to me as Mama Fried. One of them – I don’t know which –
Continue reading »by Kathy Crissey, MS, LMHC Some common issues in working with infertility include but are not limited to the following: Isolation – everyone around you seems to be pregnant or has a baby. When you are struggling with infertility, it seems that all you notice are pregnant women and babies. Everyone seems to be able
Continue reading »by Kathy Crissey, MS, LMHC In part 1 of a 2 part blog post, Kathy speaks to her own infertility journey and how it led her to the family she has now. Having been raised in a large family, I never expected anything less than to become a mother. Life, however, has a way of
Continue reading »by Kathy Crissey, MS, LMHC Hopes, dreams and expectations – we all have them – not just for ourselves but for our children. What happens when your son or daughter is facing an unexpected pregnancy and is looking for support and guidance? Where do extended family members turn? It seems that the focus is on
Continue reading »by Kathy Crissey, MS, LMHC The home study is done and our profile book is in to the agency – now what? The adoption journey is often one that can seem overwhelming at the beginning and full of things to do. Paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwork. Classes, educational credits, meeting with the social worker and
Continue reading »Adoption STAR’s Director of Adoption Kathy Crissey shares a piece of beautiful poetry that would never have been written without an adult daughter and a birth mother finding each other. This was written by the daughter of a former client of mine who recently passed away. When I worked with the client, she was searching
Continue reading »
