As I’ve shared in a previous blog,  Dr. Jane Aronson ((founder of Worldwide Orphans) was my daughter’s “adoption doc” and I have a special place in my heart for her. She has a huge heart and has spent countless hours observing and helping orphaned children. Her description of life in an orphanage is an important reminder to the world that there is NO REPLACEMENT FOR A LOVING FAMILY.

Dr. Jane in Haiti - Journal Day #5 - At home

Day # 5 - Back Home Home from Haiti, but not done thinking and processing. I flew into Newark airport from O'Hare at 9 am today and my partner, Diana, and my sons, Ben and Des greeted me at the airport....a very nice surprise to see my kids who should have been in Hebrew School at that hour. They were jumping on me and I kissed their heads....I missed them so much. A joy for me to see healthy and happy children who started out in this life not so fortunate. They both were in orphanages and both suffered from institutionalized care, but were resilient and overcame the adversity. This is not the case for a lot of kids raised in orphanages around the world.

I have spent the last 20 years of my career as a pediatrician caring for orphans who arrive in the US adopted by American families, underweight and failing to thrive, infectious diseases and with developmental delays especially language delays. Some children have sensory issues that make it painful to be touched and loved which is what they need the most. And other children have attachment issues which can take years to resolve and may require herculean efforts by family and therapists.