The touchy issue of adoption

I found Susan King’s story about “My Flesh and Blood” interesting (“A Year in the Life,” Nov. 27). As an adoptee who was separated from my family for more than 34 years, I am always interested in how adoption is portrayed in the media.

I am glad that you so honestly described the children Tom is taking care of as being adopted, the caption for the photo referring to a girl as one of “Susan Tom’s adopted children.” I also appreciate your description of Tom as someone who just “couldn’t stop adopting children.” How very sad. Why didn’t she help the parents so that they could keep their children?

While I have no problem with people helping and even being guardians for children whose parents are unwilling to care for them, I have a big problem with Tom and other adopters pretending to be the mother to these children.

I wonder what happened to these children’s real parents -- were they even mentioned in the film? Was Tom honoring the children’s parents or was she pretending that she was the parent? The title of the film suggests the latter.

Tricia Shore

Van Nuys