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Success Stories

> Michele and Ella Isabel

Paul was referred to me by friends who were fortunate enough to have Paul help them conduct their Home Study for foreign adoption of their now 6-year-old son. Unexpectedly, another friend of mine told me that Paul had helped her conduct her Home Study for domestic adoption of her son. Both sets of friends talked about Paul's experience, professionalism and more significantly, personalism. Clearly the universe was letting me know that this was the man I could trust and learn from while receiving the needed social work expertise to guide me on my journey to motherhood.

After embarking on the journey to adopt an infant girl from Guatemala, I felt a combination of certainty--that I was meant to be a mother and that my heart sought to adopt from Central/Latin America (I have Mexican family)--and anxiety. Can I handle being a single mother? Can I weather the risks and hurdles inherent in foreign adoption? Immediately upon meeting Paul I found a voice that said, "yes this is your path and I can help you get there."

Paul has an ease about him that comes from being an adoptive parent and having years of experience across a range of cases in counseling, coaching, and navigating the adoption and parenting journey. His knowing sense comes not only from his seasoning and confidence but also from his ability to "get" his clients. I found that he understood me and saw in me amazing potential to maintain commitment through a difficult (due to foreign government complexities and barriers) adoption process and mirrored for me my gift for motherhood. His wisdom lies not only in the social work profession, but also in his intuition and insight into an individual's needs and capabilities.

I remember fretting about my "home visit" interview and whether or not I would "pass" the test. Yet, before I could even ask a question, Paul said to me, "listen, most people get anxious about their home study and spend a lot of time preparing .....I want you to know that I am here to help you." And he did. for many months after my home study, culminating in our celebratory lunch with my daughter, Ella Isabel.

- Michele

> Matthew and Linda

Once we made the decision to adopt, it was clear that we had to expedite the process. We had identified a four year old disabled Latvian boy and he was coming to visit us for Christmas. We knew that once he was in our home, we would not want to be separated.

We contacted Paul and asked whether the home study process could be completed in less than the normal 3-5 months. Not only did Paul say, "Yes" but within two weeks we had our first meeting with Paul and completed the interview process long before our little boy was due to return to Latvia.

Paul also guided us through the maze that is "Hague".  Of course one would expect someone in Paul’s position to be conversant with the requirements of the relevant adoption hurdles, but the new Hague treaty was less than one year old (having been signed in April of 2008) and yet Paul was able to guide us successfully through the ins and outs and various subtleties of this very challenging process.

Not only was Paul’s technical knowledge and expertise superb, but his warmth and understanding made what could have otherwise been an emotional rollercoaster into a sweet journey of growing our family through adoption.

Thank you, Paul.

-Matthew and Linda