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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
To Keep Up with Adoption News, Visit My Facebook Page
Things have gotten pretty dusty here at Whatever Things Are True, as I've moved on to more mainstream writing and the occasional adoption-related speaking gig. I'm doing a slightly better job of keeping up with news and discussion on my... Continue reading
Posted Sep 27, 2016 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption
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Breaking the Silence on Suicide and Adoption
An excellent post from Maureen McCauley Evans about adoptees and suicide. I read this post this morning, and then this...Posted by Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption on Thursday,... Continue reading
Posted Aug 27, 2015 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption
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A letter to the kindergarten teacher from an adoptive mom - The Washington Post
Dear Kindergarten Teacher- I am so not ready for back to school. So, so not ready. I wonder if you feel the same. As I scramble to get my kids ready for the first day of school, I imagine you’re... Continue reading
Reblogged Aug 26, 2015 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption
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From the Tragedy of an Adoptee's Untimely Death, Some Hope Rises
Residents of Washington state, where Ethiopian adoptee Hana Williams was murdered by her adoptive parents in 2011, are raising money to provide Hana's cousin, Haimanot, with lifesaving medical treatment and a chance at a college education. Continue reading
Posted Dec 1, 2014 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption
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An Adoptee Raises Money for a Return to India, Hoping to Give Back
An Indian adult adoptee starts a crowdfunding campaign to help orphans in the land of her birth. Continue reading
Posted Sep 30, 2014 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption
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One of the Last Russian Adoptions
Get your hankie for this post from the Motherlode blog at The New York Times about Elya Nauta, adopted at age 16 by John and Sheryl Nauta on December 28, 2012, just days before Russia's international adoption ban took effect.... Continue reading
Posted Sep 29, 2014 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption
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A Moving Story of Love and Reunion
An adoptive mother writes movingly about finding her Chinese daughter's first family. Continue reading
Posted May 23, 2014 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption
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Just Because You Say "Boob" Doesn't Make it Funny: Adoptees Speak Out on the Boob Job Video
Pastor Jesse Butterworth's humorous video comparing adoption to a "boob job" went viral, but not everyone is laughing at his attempt to teach people how to talk to adoptive families. Continue reading
Posted Apr 30, 2014 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption
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The Wretched Mess that is Woody vs. Mia Shines Ugly Light on Adoption
Jezebel invades the privacy of all 14 of Mia Farrow's children with a recent article. Continue reading
Posted Feb 10, 2014 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption
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"What Do We Tell Our Kids?" Some thoughts on protecting black children
Posted Oct 17, 2013 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption
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The Christian Orphan Care Movement Needs to Make Some Changes. Amen to That.
The Christian Orphan Care Movement has been under scrutiny for several years, and much of it has been unfair. At the same time, changes are needed to promote better outcomes for children. Check out this powerful and gutsy post from... Continue reading
Posted Sep 25, 2013 at Whatever Things Are True: the Good, the Bad and the Beautiful in the World of International Adoption
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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
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
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
E.J. Graff Looks at the "Horror of Adopting a Troubled Foreign Child" in Slate. Ugh.
Sadly, yet another adoption tragedy has made the news: the death of 3-year-old Max Allen Shatto. Officials in Russia have accused the boy's adoptive mother, Laura Shatto, of beating him to death; she claims that Max was outside playing when she found him unresponsive and called for help. Journ...
E.J. Graff Looks at the "Horror of Adopting a Troubled Foreign Child" in Slate. Ugh.
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
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
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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