The Kelly Family- Bill, Lois, and Scott

Bill and Lois had never really talked about adopting before then. Each had thought about it on and off in their earlier adult years, but it was never more than that. Both were single parents raising children of their own. In 1998, they blended their families with eight children between them. By April 2002, their youngest were freshmen in college. When they saw Scott’s picture, they both felt they were the right parents for him.

A few weeks after contacting MARE, they were able to actually meet Scott at a MARE-sponsored adoption party they attended with one of their daughters. They played the card game, Uno, and Scott just seemed to fit right in, as if he belonged in their family all along. He was lively, a bit mischievous and had a great sense of humor; he was easily likeable.

MARE referred the Kellys for the adoption training and homestudy required of all prospective adoptive parents. After their homestudy was completed in the fall of 2002, they were officially “matched” with Scott. While preparing to adopt Scott, they gathered information about his background. They also created a photo album of their home and family for Scott, which they heard he carried around with him everywhere at his residential home. After about five months of gradually increasing visits, Scott moved into his new home in March 2003. He had been living at his residential home for three years, and the transition was an emotional one. During this time, it helped Scott to continue going to school at the residential home and socializing with his old friends. As the Kellys’ grown children got to know and like Scott, they accepted him as one of the family. The adoption was legalized in June 2004.

Scott and his parents work everyday towards overcoming the obstacles that face an older child who has experienced many losses in his life, as Scott had. It has been a long and challenging road towards his healing and one they continue on as Scott grapples with regular coming of age issues as well as those from his past. Holidays can be especially difficult. It’s a journey they have not traveled alone and credit the support they have received from the Department of Social Services, the local public schools and counseling as the “guide and glue” for their family. Lois feels that being experienced parents has been an advantage for them in parenting Scott. Both remember being single parents of teenagers and learning this lesson: “When kids act the most unlovable, that’s when they need the most love.”

Despite the challenges, both Bill and Lois say that adopting Scott has been “one of the more rewarding experiences that we’ve had.” Seeing Scott making tremendous strides and becoming happy and successful engenders feelings of pride, love and satisfaction. Now a 17-year-old junior in high school, Scott has improved greatly academically and has made the honor roll. He is an excellent drummer and plays in high school bands. He is also a DJ for the school radio station. Scott has goals of attending college and earning a music degree to prepare for a career in music. The Kellys feel confident and hopeful that Scott will lead the life he wants.