family connection By Susan Grandpre  

Some stories have happy endings, some stories have sad endings. Too often, teenagers living in foster care have the latter kind of story. Teens are difficult to place in adoptive homes and many times remain in foster care until they age out of the system at 18 years old.
Tiffany’s life story is going to be different. Her adoption will be finalized only months before her 18th birthday,

About a year ago, Tiffany was featured in this column as a 16-year-old girl looking for a family to adopt her. A couple with a 2-year-old boy stumbled upon the article about Tiffany and felt an immediate connection to her.
At the time, this couple was not even thinking about adopting a child. They had discussed adoption off and on and felt that adoption might be something they would pursue at some point in the future.
But something about Tiffany and her situation spoke to them and prompted them to take action. They felt that Tiffany deserved a home, and after careful thought and discussion, they picked up the phone to inquire about her.
Jennifer Surrat, a social worker with Coordinators2, met with the family. Soon after, a time was scheduled to meet Tiffany. Even at that first meeting, everyone felt a true connection.
Tiffany’s life has not been an easy one. She entered foster care during childhood. She faced emotional and behavioral struggles due to her loss and feelings of rejection. Tiffany also deals with the physical hardship of living with Cystic Fibrosis, a disease that doctors predicted would prevent her from living past pre-adolescence.
Tiffany has beaten the odds physically and is also beating the odds as it relates to foster care and adoption.Tiffany has always possessed a fighter’s spirit. She is a sweet and gentle person who can not believe that everything she has hoped for is finally coming true.
As Surrat observes this family interact, she is moved by how natural they seem together. From watching them, they look like any other family. Tiffany’s adoptive parents love her like their own and constantly show her their dedication and commitment.
Tiffany now has a loving family and a place where she belongs. Her story sends a powerful message that it is never too late for a child to be adopted and given a place to always call home.
Her story reminds us that we should not give up on any child. All children, regardless of age or circumstance, deserve a home where they are loved.

Susan Grandpre earned a B.A. in English from James Madison University and has been a freelance writer for nine years. She lives in Richmond with her husband and three children.

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