Meet the Kerin Family!
Can you imagine moving in and out of five different families within two years – all before your fourteenth, or seventh, or fourth birthday? Such was the journey of brothers Joseph, Cody and Brandon, until good fortune united them with their adoptive mom, Janet Kerin.
These brothers’ stories portray the dramatic changes that can occur when children finally experience safety, consistency and unconditional love. When he was adopted at age fifteen, Joe had big plans for his future – plans to become a gang member! Once he trusted his new family to provide belonging and identify, he switched to a more positive path. In just two years, Joe has turned his life around. Now an accomplished drummer in his high school band, it is higher education - not gangs, onto which Joe has set his sights. He plans to try out for the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps this year, and to major in music in college.
Once labeled “uncontrollable” and “unadoptable,” little Cody, at age seven, was quite excited to join a permanent family through adoption. Although challenged by ADHD, likely due to his previous experiences, Cody has become a straight A student as well as a gifted athlete. This ten-year-old plays football with great passion and hopes to be a future Denver Bronco. Watch for Cody at Invesco Field!
Described by his mom as “a brilliant and happy child,” Brandon consistently scores at the top of his class. What an interesting accomplishment for a boy once thought to be “partially retarded.” Janet explains that this misdiagnosis resulted from a communication difficulty, and the resulting anger and frustration. Counseling and speech therapy have helped Brandon reach his full potential. This little guy loves football and baseball. Now age seven, Brandon already demonstrates good athletic skills.
Oldest brother Joe speaks for the trio when asked what being adoption has meant for the boys. “It meant having a permanent home and not having to move again. It meant starting over without having to live in fear.” A line from Cody’s poem about adoption summarizes the boys’ newfound hope: “Today my reflection shows a boy with pride.”
In describing the challenges of adoption, Janet cites the emotional trauma from the abuse and neglect the boys endured. She has found that consistency and strict rules are helping the boys develop responsible behavior. She states proudly of her sons, “They are healing everyday.”
In addition to the desire to be a mother, Janet Kerin had a unique motivation to adopt. Having witnessed her father mourn the permanent loss of his siblings through adoption, she determined that she would help keep a sibling group together. Janet was also influenced to adopt by the Adoption Exchange website and by TV spots highlighting the need for adoptive parents for children in foster care.
Janet appreciates post adoption support services, especially the health insurance coverage for the boys, without which she simply could not have adopted. She also uses respite care services for an occasional needed break.
Janet Kerin wants Congress to do everything it can to provide children a “second chance” with a family that can give them the love and safety they need to succeed in life. Speaking for all foster children, Joe implores, “Don’t let us sit in the system for so long. It’s horrible not having parents or a place to call home.”
In the time since the Kerin family wrote their story, they have adopted two brothers, ages 10 and 17.
