Tanya Shaw Has a Dream Fulfilled

BACKGROUND: Two months ago, single mother Tanya Shaw was desperate to complete two major projects: create an adoption agency to place children orphaned by AIDS, and to stay healthy long enough to find a family for her two daughters (View, April 7 and June 21). Shaw, 25, was appalled to find that there were no options for her but to leave Destini, 8, and Chassidy, 2, with Los Angeles County’s overburdened child support system. Leaving her daughters with family was not an option. After many setbacks and battling the effects of AIDS dementia, Shaw despaired.

UPDATE: After reading of Shaw’s plight, hundreds of people called The Times to offer assistance. Shaw also appeared this week on “NBC Dateline.” After meeting with several couples--and watching two potential adoptions fall through--Shaw found a family. Destini and Chassidy are now living with adoptive parents and their 11-year-old son. Randi Barrow, an attorney representing the new parents, says the couple has requested anonymity while the girls adjust to their new surroundings in a Los Angeles suburb.

Shaw suffered a serious setback to her health, but has rebounded, says Dr. Bishar Akil. Shaw visits her daughters as regularly as her strength permits. But after numerous public appearances--including a spot on Arsenio Hall and Magic Johnson’s upcoming AIDS education video--Shaw has retreated from public life. Her plans to create an agency to support parents with AIDS, and assist them in finding adoptive parents for their children, have fallen through.