Adoption Mayhem

OK, so how far are we going to let the Labour government go ?

20 years ago, my daughter was adopted through a Catholic Adoption society.

They were (and still are) sincere, thoughtful, kind, wonderful people, who put my thoughts and feelings, as my daughters Birth Mother, first.

I was allowed to choose her parents. From over 300 prospective sets of parents, I was given a shortlist of 3 to choose from.

I was guided every step of the way with compassion and boundless love.

The people I am talking about, The Catholic Social Welfare agency in Leeds, West Yorkshire, may now have to choose between continuing to carry on, or closing, because of the latest Government ruling, that does not allow them to operate as per the doctrines of our Faith.

So I ask the question - what about me ?

I am a Birth Mother, who has been given the option of sending, every year if I choose, a Birthday Card to my daughter.

Let me tell you a story. Several years ago, the only picture I had of my daughter was stolen, along with my handbag. I contacted my Social Worker, Anne, who I had not seen for many years. I told her what had happened. As luck would have it, my daughters parents also contacted Anne not long after - such is the way of these things. Anne told them the story, and, unbeknownst to me, they gave Anne another picture of my daughter. Anne sent it to me.

Only those who have been in this situation would understand the wave of love and emotion I felt at this small, but wonderful gesture.

Now, if the government gets it's way, and the Agency closes, how can I send my daughter a Birthday card, and how can small gestures of love and concern, like this, ever happen again ?

Everybody has the right to live their lives, as they choose.

However, everybody also has the right to choose their religion.

Mine has been going for several thousand years. It isn't always right, I agree. But equally, it isn't always wrong.

20 years ago, I made a decision to use a Catholic Adoption Agency to place my beautiful daughter in a loving home.

If they close, I, and thousands of others like me, will lose the last slim thread of contact with the children we brought into this world, but gave to parents who could not have children of their own.

We are the silent minority that this government has chosen to forget.