Shattered Dreams--Lonely Choices : Birthparents of Babies with Disabilities Talk About Adoption
Editorial Reviews
Book Description
Joanne Finnegan shares her personal experience and that of several families she interviewed who, like herself, explored options other than raising their child with a disability. Parents express with candor the overwhelming pain they felt when receiving "the news," the frustration when searching for options, the "no-win" feeling of decision making, the resolve with a final decision, and finally, life after the decision. Parent quotes also address issues such as spiritual dilemmas and interactions with friends, family, their other children, and medical professionals. Words of advice for new parents include how to build support systems and gather information, how to search for an adoptive family, and arranging the details of communication between adoptive and birth parents. Interviews with adoptive parents, poetry, and extensive resource lists complete the book.
About the Author
JOANNE FINNEGAN is a high school mathematics teacher who, because of her personal experience with a child born with Down syndrome, has written articles for magazines and journals about adoption of children with special needs. She speaks to medical groups about the adoption option, and actively participates in a nationwide telephone support network for parents who are considering this option. Ms. Finnegan lives in Essex Junction, Vermont with her husband and daughter.
Shattered Dreams--Lonely Choices: Birthparents of Babies with Disabilities Talk About Adoption,Joanne Finnegan,Bergin & Garvey,0897892860,Adoption,Adoption And Adoption Services,Child Care/Parenting,Children with disabilities,Family & Relationships,Family / Parenting / Childbirth,Parenting - General,Parents of children with disab,Parents of children with disabilities,Psychology,United States,Birth,Child welfare,Coping with disability,Disability: social aspects,Family & Relationships / Parenting
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