Family forever

By Cheryl Chumley

Published: November 16, 2008

Country singer Faith Hill. Steve Jobs of Apple computers. Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s fast-foods; the Rev. Jesse Jackson; actress Demi Moore; author Edgar Allen Poe; Olympic swimmer Greg Louganis; former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich; and past presidents Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton.

The common denominator? Adopted, all.

“So there is no limit to what young adopted children can be,” said the Honorable Richard B. Potter, 31st Judicial Circuit Court judge, during Saturday’s fifth annual National Adoption Day Celebration.
Joining that list was seven from the area of Prince William.

“Angel, Jasmine and Ricardo are three siblings who got a rough start in life,” said social worker Michele Mintling, by way of introduction of one family finishing the adoption process. “They endured neglect, abuse … when they came to the system they were undernourished, developmentally delayed and in need of medical care.”

Beth and Walter Teal provided weekend care while social workers attempted reunification with the birth parents. When it was evident that door had shut, the Teals agreed to adopt all three.

“They let each child choose the paint colors for their room,” Mintling recounted. “The Teals did not bat an eye when Ricardo chose orange and green as his colors. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.”
The Teals have a few months to go before the adoption decree is signed. But for others – some of whom requested anonymity – Saturday was the final step. And for a 2-year-old boy, the signing of paperwork marked the end of a tumultuous babyhood and beginning of happier times.

“[He] was abandoned at the hospital,” said the social worker, explaining the circumstances that led to his entry into the social services system. “At first, the identification of his mom and dad were unknown … [then we] found the birth family, but they were struggling with their own issues over housing, finances … mental health issues and they also had three of their own kids.”

It wasn’t long before adoption emerged as the best option for the boy, and Saturday, Potter signed the decree that united the family in the eyes of the law.

Since 2004, “30 children from the Prince William area have had their adoptions finalized,” said the Honorable William A. Becker, judge for the 31st Judicial Juvenile and Domestic and Domestic Relations District Court. “Usually the final adoptive order is signed by the judge in chambers and mailed to the adoptive family … Today’s event is to raise awareness of the 129,000 children that are waiting adoption.”

For the county, around 125 children up to age 21 await adoption at any given time, according to a press release about the event that also corrected several myths about the process.

“Both married couples and single adults can adopt children,” the release red. “Prospective parents do not have to be rich, married, own a home or be of a certain age or race. The most important qualifications are love for children, patience, openness and the commitment to becoming their child’s parent for a lifetime.”

Staff writer Cheryl Chumley can be reached at 703-670-1907.