Sharing my interview with this special amazing woman is a thrill. I was watching the news a few years back, and - POW- right there on the screen was a woman on a playground with her beautiful son. I recognized her - we had a mutual friend years ago and then both moved to Baltimore and would talk on the stairmaster. Fast forward, and Becky Fawcett was sharing her story about adoption – her personal journey that led to starting Helpusadopt.org, a charity supporting families with financial grants. I am so thrilled Becky agreed to become Play This Way's Adoption Expert - and hope in sharing her story, we'll make more and more connections to help her charity bloom. Meet Becky!
 
Dr. Jen: Please provide some words of inspiration for the families waiting and waiting for a baby from Becky.  
 
Becky: The adoption process can be long, bumpy and lonely and people don’t really like to tell you this. But we all make it through one way or another and there ARE happy endings. My biggest piece of advice: if you are struggling with infertility or the adoption process, do not suffer in silence. For some of us the road to parenthood is longer than we ever thought possible---but hang in there, pure joy awaits you at the end!!!
 
Dr. Jen: What does the average adoption cost? What services are available for financial assistance with the adoption process?
 
Becky: An average adoption costs $30,000+ and (sadly) there really is not much help available. Helpusadopt.org is a unique organization in that we don’t charge our applicants to apply, support all types of adoption, do not discriminate in any way shape or form and award grants of up to $15,000.
 
Dr. Jen: Wow, Becky, a CNN Hero! Amazing. Did you ever imagine you'd be in this inspirational role?
 
Becky: Never in my life --- I always thought I was the one searching for inspiration. Honestly it’s the most humbling experience……I’m just an Infertile Blonde who was fortunate to be able to become a mother through adoption–not just once but twice. Not a day goes by that I don’t stare at my kids in awe and I am just so grateful I get the opportunity to help others achieve their dreams of parenthood.
 
Dr. Jen: Where do you see your organization growing both in structure and scope?
 
Becky: Helpusadopt.org is here to stay---my dream is that my grandchildren will one day sit on the board and be involved. But in order to get there we need to invest in our infrastructure. We just moved into our first official office (here in NYC). Hopefully we will raise enough money this year so that we can hire another employee. Eventually I hope that we can award millions of dollars a year in adoption grants----we know the need exists.
 
Dr. Jen: Tell us how many families you've helped, and please share some special stories.
 
Becky: Since our launch in 2007, we’ve awarded $360,000 and helped to build 50 families. We’ve helped all types of families, heterosexual married couples, LGBT families and single parents. And they’ve all pursued adoption for a variety of reasons but the commonality they all share is that adoption is their ONLY option to build a family. Every story is special---there are women who’ve suffered multiple miscarriages, men and women who’ve survived cancer but lost their fertility, men and women who’ve lost their children to rare genetic diseases, and then there are the grant recipients who have experienced failed adoptions… I could go on and on….
 
Learn more about Becky's personal story at www.aninfertileblonde.com  and about her charity by visiting www.helpusadopt.org