L.A. County Adoptions

Re “Adoption Push Helps Many but Has Critics,” Sept. 15: Although James Rainey informs readers that would-be parents still have several obstacles to face, including the older ages of many children available through the county, his candid piece of writing encourages potential parents to explore and consider public adoption. Bravo!

My husband and I have two children whom we adopted through the Los Angeles County Department of Adoptions before adding our two biological children. Seven weeks ago, I was rushed to Harbor UCLA’s intensive care unit for an operation to remove a life-threatening subdural hematoma. Our eldest daughter, now 26, but adopted into our family at the age of 6, comforted me, held my hand and handled many concerned calls from relatives and friends with infinite patience and care. Now that I’m home, out of danger and thinking clearly, I’m discovering with astonishment all that she has done in a few short weeks. I can’t imagine life without this wonderful daughter, just as my husband and I can’t fathom an existence without any of our four children.

MARILYN ANDERSON

Manhattan Beach

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I was struck by your article about the Shrader family and the larger topic of local and national attention on improving the process of adoption from the foster care system. The success and happiness the Shrader family express are wonderful, but their story might not match the experiences of many others involved with adoption.

We are just beginning to understand the lifelong effects of adoption that are unique to each member of the process: adoptive parents, adoptees and birth parents. The emotional effects of loss, separation and missing a primary biological connection that all members of the adoption process can feel can be quite profound, yet often go undetected since there are few outlets for this aspect of adoption. I hope that the renewed interest in adoption will result in more openness to hearing and healing the pain and challenges that can accompany adoption.

BONNIE H. WOLKENSTEIN

Director, Antioch University

Counseling Center’s Adoption

Counseling Services

Marina del Rey