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Sharon

I'm a writer, a wife, and mother to three exuberant, internationally-adopted children.

Interests: I publish Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption because I'm interested in child welfare, child rights and promoting healthy, happy families worldwide. I believe adoption is the best option for children who cannot receive care in their families of origin, and I support ethical adoptions that meet the needs of vulnerable children. My writing has also appeared in print editions of The Sun Magazine and Adoptive Families Magazine, and online at HuffPost Parents, Adoptive Families Circle, and Mama Manifesto. Look for me on twitter @sharonvanepps.

Recent Activity

An Elderly Widow and Her Ethiopian Son

Veteran journalist Marilyn Berger is not by nature an impulsive person. Her friends describe her as "measured," "very thoughtful," "an intellectual." Yet Berger, now 74, has fallen deeply, passionately -- and instantly -- in love twice in her life, with... Continue reading

Reblogged May 6, 2013 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

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Resources for Struggling Adoptive Families

I've got a new post up at Adoptive Families Circle where I'm sharing some resources I've turned to when I've faced challenges as a parent. The piece includes a mention of social worker Regina Kupecky, on the staff of the... Continue reading

Posted Mar 8, 2013 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

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As emotions over US-Russia adoptions intensify, a rift widens into a chasm

As emotions over US-Russia adoptions intensify, a rift widens into a chasm. The Christian Science Monitor published an article yesterday describing how the issues around intercountry adoption have created the biggest rift between Russia and the US since the Cold... Continue reading

Posted Mar 5, 2013 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

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Parenting: A Resource for Families Coping with Hearing Loss

Krystyann Krywko, Ed.D., writes a blog for families dealing with hearing loss in children. Continue reading

Posted Feb 26, 2013 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

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Russia Backs Off Claim of Murder in Death of Adopted Boy in Texas - NYTimes.com

Russian officials retreated from accusing a Texas woman of murder in the death of a 3-year-old boy she adopted from Russia, as the cause of his death remained unclear. Russia late last year banned adoptions by American citizens, and news... Continue reading

Reblogged Feb 25, 2013 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

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As always, thanks for reading and commenting, Jessica. I really don't think EJ Graff intended the piece to come off that way, but I think that attitude that blames the "damaged child" is one of those ugly stereotypes that creeps in when folks don't realize it.

Commented Feb 25, 2013 on E.J. Graff Looks at the "Horror of Adopting a Troubled Foreign Child" in Slate. Ugh. at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

1 reply

E.J. Graff Looks at the "Horror of Adopting a Troubled Foreign Child" in Slate. Ugh.

E.J. Graff's piece on the murder of 3-year-old Max Allen Shatto for Slate advances the offensive stereotype of the damaged, demon adoptee. It's time to stop blaming the children. Continue reading

Posted Feb 25, 2013 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

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WQED in Pennsylvania Looks at Adoptive Families Embracing Ethiopian Culture

The Horizon program, which runs on Pennsylvania PBS affiliate WQED, takes a look at four adoptive families who are embracing the Ethiopian heritage of their children. You can watch the episode at the link. WQED Multimedia: TV :: WQED On... Continue reading

Posted Feb 20, 2013 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

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Adoptive Families Magazine looking for Reader Submissions

Adoptive Families magazine is looking for reader submissions for a special double issue. Continue reading

Posted Feb 19, 2013 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

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UPDATE: Missing Child Bedria Williams Found Safe

Bedria Williams, an Ethiopian adopted teen who ran away from her Oregon home last month, was found safe on February 9. Bedria's family made the announcement on their Facebook page without further details. All the best for Bedria and the... Continue reading

Posted Feb 9, 2013 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

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Adoptive Parents of Ethiopian Teen Runaway Fear She May Have Been Sold into Sex Slavery

UPDATE: Bedria Williams was found safe on February 9. This story has been haunting me ever since I heard about it yesterday. Fifteen-year-old adoptee Bedria Williams of Oregon, who came to the US at age 9 from Ethiopia, is missing.... Continue reading

Posted Feb 8, 2013 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

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Sharon is now following M.J. Rose

Jan 31, 2013

Sharon added a favorite at Backstory

Jan 31, 2013

American adoption of South Korean baby girl at risk - UPI.com

EVANSTON, Ill., Jan. 11 (UPI) -- A couple from Evanston, Ill., are fighting to keep custody of their 7-month old adoptive daughter, whom South Korean officials say was adopted illegally. via www.upi.com Related articles Evanston Couple Fights To Keep South... Continue reading

Reblogged Jan 31, 2013 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

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Give a Bra - Studio Samuel

Studio Samuel is collecting new and gently used bras for girls and young women in an Addis Ababa, Orphanage now through February 1, 2013. Continue reading

Reblogged Jan 19, 2013 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

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Russia’s Ban on U.S. Adoption Leaves American Families in Anguish | TIME.com

Elisabeth Smith, right, meeting the Russian boy she and her husband Charles are hoping to adopt In late October, Charles and Elisabeth Smith from Phoenix traveled to Borodino, Russia, to meet their prospective son, Malcom (not his real name), a... Continue reading

Posted Jan 3, 2013 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

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Cassie, Thank you for taking time to read and comment and share some of your story. I'm sorry it has been such a difficult journey.

Commented Dec 27, 2012 on Writer Joyce Maynard Talks About Her Disrupted Adoption at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

1 reply

Russian FM against any ban on US adoptions - San Jose Mercury News

MOSCOW—Russia's foreign minister on Tuesday strongly criticized a proposal in the country's parliament that would ban Americans from adopting Russian children. Sergey Lavrov's comments—along with criticism of the proposal by other ministers—appeared to indicate pressure from the highest level for... Continue reading

Reblogged Dec 18, 2012 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

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UNICEF Promotes Family Preservation and Reunification in Ethiopia -- and Blames Adoption for Separating Families

This video produced by UNICEF Television promotes a positive program in Ethiopia to reunite children surrendered to orphanages with their parents, but it blames adoption, not poverty, for separating families. Continue reading

Posted Dec 11, 2012 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

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Stalled Adoption Program in Guatemala Leaves Families in Limbo - NYTimes.com

Hundreds of children have been stranded in orphanages in Guatemala for years as authorities there weigh whether to approve their adoptions by families in the United States. He calls them Mamá and Papi. They call him Hijo — Son. He... Continue reading

Reblogged Dec 8, 2012 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

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Campaign in Haiti to Close Orphanages - NYTimes.com

The Haitian government has started a campaign to try to keep parents from sending their children away simply because they cannot afford to support them. In the courtyard of one, Chris Savini, a missionary from Illinois, rocked a 10-month-old boy... Continue reading

Reblogged Dec 5, 2012 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

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UN Committee on the Rights of the Child Wants to Ban Baby "Drop Boxes"

The UNCRC hopes to ban "baby boxes" in Europe, where parents can safely leave unwanted infants. Many countries, including the US, have safe haven provisions/baby Moses laws in place to protect children. The UNCRC claims the baby boxes violate children's rights. Continue reading

Posted Nov 29, 2012 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

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Thanks, readers for dropping by!

Commented Nov 27, 2012 on The 2012 Adoption Blogger Interview Project: Meet Camille of Embracing the Odyssey at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

1 reply

The 2012 Adoption Blogger Interview Project: Meet Camille of Embracing the Odyssey

As part of the 2012 Adoption Blogger Interview Project, I got to talk with Camille, a mom via open adoption, who blogs at Embracing the Odyssey. Continue reading

Posted Nov 14, 2012 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

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A TED Talk on the Tragedy of Orphanages

In this TED talk from May 2012, Georgette Mulheir, CEO of JK Rowling's children's charity, Lumos, discusses the dangers of institutionalization for children. I was struck by Mulheir's point that the three main reasons children end up in orphanages are:... Continue reading

Posted Nov 10, 2012 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption

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