Gladney Blog

The Beginning

It started in Can Tho, Vietnam when I was placed into a baby home 9 days old until I was two. As I was living in the orphanage for those two years my adopted parents were searching for a child to adopt. It’s crazy to think how I got adopted because I knew they really were looking to adopt a Chinese girl until the adopted agency told them that they have a bunch of Vietnamese kids waiting to be adopted. They’ve told me the story many times and I can still recall it till this day. They received the video, and both of them watched the video separately to see if they would pick the same kid out of the video that they would want and as crazy as it is to think both of my parents picked me. They said that I was the biggest kid and most energetic, so it was easy to point me out, and I still carry those traits today. I have no memory on my travel from Vietnam to the United States, but I’ve definitely been told that I was very scared and confused. I mean, who wouldn’t be confused when coming to a new home?

As you are exploring adoption as an option for your family, we are sure that you have many questions. Once a month we ask Mike & Astra a question about their adoption experience.

In honor of International Charity Day, we thought we would ask Kati Story some questions about her recent Birthday Pledge to Gladney. 

How do you define "family"?

Gladney Adoptee, Zhanna, shares her definition with us:

As you are exploring adoption as an option for your family, we are sure that you have many questions. Once a month we ask Thomas & Stephanie a question about their adoption experience.

While Gladney has offices throughout the US, Domestic Infant Orientation occurs at the Fort Worth Campus. Families from all over the U.S. attend this invitation-only event to learn more about Gladney and about the Domestic Infant Adoption Program. 

As you are exploring adoption as an option for your family, we are sure that you have many questions. Once a month we ask Mike & Astra a question about their adoption experience.

The Gladney Center for Adoption is very saddened and troubled by the separation of children from parents at our nation’s borders.  Research demonstrates children who are suddenly and without cause separated from their parents experience significant trauma with long-lasting negative impact on growth, emotional and mental health. To learn more about this issue please click here to read the American Association  of Pediatrics’ statement. Gladney is a child centered organization and we advocate for children around the world.

Last month, Gladney University hosted "Emotional Development in a Child's First Five Years" with Dr. Margaret Dempsey and Dr. Margaret Harrington of the Child Study Center.

Southwest Airlines created a cute commercial showing an adoptive couple running around the story buying baby paraphernalia. Their campaign was "Behind Every Seat is a Story." Check out the video below: