From the first moment the "gift of life" is given. It should include important facts for the new parents and the child who is placed up for adoption.

Birth parents need to take time and complete a biological medical history on both biological parents.

This would provide the much needed information for Doctors and Therapists in the years ahead of the new baby.

As an adoptive mom I scrambled to find living relatives of my adopted children and we compiled as much medical history as we could find for our children.

In the process we learned of grand parents and uncles and people that were in the biological family suffering from addictions and mental illnesses. We found out that stomach cancer was present in their maternal grand mother Martha and that their birth father's family had a history of seizers.

We are proud to say the kids seem happy and healthy.
But as the years pass who knows when this information may come in handy.

For now the courage to teach them how to stay away from the alcohol and drugs that were prominent addictions in both sides of the biological families.
Is a good start. If they know ahead of time that addictions are possible then the children can be wise when using alcohol or drugs in their own lives.

Four out of the first seven siblings that came into care together suffer from alcohol and drug addictions. I am pleased to say that my older daughter and my youngest daughter have not been affected by these issues due to their choice of not using either substances.

When a child becomes sick with leukemia or lung, kidney or some other disease. The biological health history is of great help. It could possibly lead to a blood relative that could possibly be an organ donor. In any case it gives us a place to begin.

With adoption becoming a more open and up front way to expand families. Our logical thinking should expand also. Birth Mothers and Fathers should be able to freely share important information on their child that enters the world of adoption.

And, Adoptive parents should send photos and allow a more open contact with the adopted child as the years pass. This could drastically cut back on the
damages of attachment disorders and other emotional problems we find in the adopted child's world.

If the child knows that mom or dad gave them up because of financial issues or whatever reasoning behind it and can ask that biological parent questions themselves over the years. It may ease the child emotional instability and help them to go on and live a more fulfilling life.

I for one will be very happy to see adoption laws change and develop for the better of the adopted child.

Part of loving a child is helping them feel complete and emotionally grounded in life.
As adoption awareness becomes more natural.
Good changes will take place for the children who
find new loving families.