Domestic Adoption
Against the Odds
Tom and Jodi’s adoption story began years ago when Tom was in a hockey accident that caused him to become a quadriplegic. Because of his injury, he and his wife, Jodi, were unable to have biological children.
They decided to look into adoption as a means to add to their family and gathered information by researching different agencies over the Internet. They came across AAI’s web site, called, and were invited to attend a seminar in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.
The First Meeting
Tom and Jodi attended the information meeting, which led them to chose to adopt through AAI. “We were comfortable with the caseworkers we met there … and we liked what they told us about the agency,” says Tom. “Then, we spoke with a couple that we know that has adopted, and they said they used AAI and were very happy with them.” With that in mind, Tom and Jodi signed up for AAI’s domestic adoption program.
Choosing to Adopt Domestically
Tom and Jodi decided to adopt domestically instead of internationally because domestic adoption would not involve as much travel. With Tom’s disability, it was also much easier to travel by car than by plane. However, because of Tom’s disability, the couple expected to wait longer than usual to be chosen by a birth mother. Yet, for one woman considering adoption for her unborn child, Tom and Jodi were exactly who she was looking for to parent her baby.
Beginning the Process
Following the suggestion of Betsy Zdonek, the caseworker they met at the informational meeting, the couple found an agency in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula that could do their home study. “Our approved home study was in the mail the end of November 2006, so we set up an appointment to meet our caseworker and go to the required informational seminar on the last Wednesday of November,” says Jodi.
Meant to Be
The same day that Tom and Jodi met with their caseworker, Sara Stahl, Betsy met with their child’s birth mother for the first time. “Our birth mother was due in three weeks,” says Jodi. “She was looking for a couple that could not have children and that had special circumstances that may prevent other mothers from choosing them. So Tom’s disability actually made the process much quicker than normal.”
Within a month of Tom and Jodi meeting their caseworker, their son, Ryan, was born. The couple was able to take their baby home with them eight days later.
Blessings for Everyone
Tom and Jodi were greeted by their loving families who couldn’t wait to meet the new baby. “Both of our families completely supported our decision to adopt and were very anxious to meet Ryan,” says Tom.
For Tom and Jodi, the blessing of their child is immeasurable. “We received a perfect baby boy and couldn’t be happier with the way our lives have changed,” says Tom.
Gentle Spirits
“Tom and Jodi just had such a gentle spirit about them,” says their caseworker, Sara Stahl. “It was obvious that God had given them the desire to become parents despite the hurdles they likely would have to overcome to get to that point. This gentleness continued after I shared the news with them that a birth mother wanted to learn more about them. It was like they were resting easy in God’s arms, knowing that He would make a way… and that He did in about four weeks time!”
For Other Prospective Adoptive Couples
For other couples hoping to adopt domestically, Tom and Jodi say, “Go with your heart on all the decisions that need to be made and what is meant to be will happen. None of us know how long or short the wait will be, but there is nothing we can do to change that—it is all in God’s hands. The child that is meant to be yours will come to you when it is meant to happen.”
Interested in domestic adoption? Please see our domestic adoption page for more information.
