Rosie joined Meg and Clara’s family when she was seven years old. Meg and Clara had been together for four years when they started their adoption journey with Together for Adoption.
“My advice to anyone thinking of taking the next step in adopting would be, just do it!” says Meg, a primary school teacher from Chester. “Our daughter lights up our world and completes our family.”
Be open minded
They first met Rosie at an adoption party. Adoption parties (also known as activity days) are informal events delivered by specialists, that allow prospective adopters to meet children who are looking for their forever families. This gives prospective adopters and the children the opportunity to get to know each other and see if they have a connection. If you are interested in attending one, you can discuss this with your social worker.
Clara explains: “It was great to meet Rosie in person first, before reading her ‘form’ that described her history of significant abuse and trauma and her having a learning disability. People are not forms – when we met our daughter, we knew little about her history and just knew she was our daughter - which sounds a little romantic and I can’t explain it. It’s been a journey, but we have been supported all the way.”
Thriving and loved
Eight years on, Rosie has changed quite a lot. Meg explains: “She is much calmer now and has a lovely sunny disposition. Our daughter has DID (dissociative identity disorder) Someone diagnosed with DID may feel uncertain about their identity and who they are. Rosie is much more integrated eight years on. She will always need a therapeutic approach, but we have been given so much support to learn these skills - which are essentially just about being kind and understanding. Bizarrely also being very small for her age when she arrived with us, she is now very tall. As our social worker once remarked – “It’s not just babies who thrive!”
Clara adds: “Weekly therapy via the adoption support fund has helped so much.”
Happy memories
Meg and Clara have so many happy memories with Rosie that it’s hard to pick out which ‘first’ they enjoyed the most. From family holidays to school plays, they have loved being her biggest cheerleaders. They both agree, “Nothing prepares you for when they call you mummy and mama for the first time. It’s so special, it gives you goosepimples.”
Here at Together for Adoption, we offer lots of support throughout the adoption process and also once the adoption order has been granted.
We offer:
- Single adopters, LGBTQ+ adopters, and new adoptive parent’s groups for you to attend
- Training, workshops, and groups
- Adoption Support Fund (ASF) - The ASF is there to help adoptive families work through their child’s difficult start in life. Our team can assess each child and family’s need and advise whether a fund application is required.
We also use a buddy up system to ensure our adopters are not alone, and have people to laugh, cry, rant and celebrate with.
To start your journey today, complete our online enquiry form or call our friendly team for more information on 01942 487272.
#YouCanAdopt
*Anonymous Adopter – Names and LA changed for confidentiality*