Tana S.

"I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.” John 14:18

My motivation for adoption started with a deep desire to provide a strong foundation of nurturing and care to children through education. My undergraduate degree started in elementary education with a focus on special education and holistic learning. In addition, through my experiences traveling abroad and volunteering in orphanages and homes for elderly, I have a strong desire to help the most vulnerable in society. Every child is precious and deserves the opportunity to have a loving, caring, and stable family to grow and thrive.

I chose International Adoption through Bulgaria because Bulgaria is a country with a rich culture and traditions. In addition, there is a need for children with special needs. I have both the experience with special needs children and capacity to adopt a sibling group with special needs.

As a country, I like that Bulgaria has four defined seasons like my home state Indiana in the United States. I also find a lot of similarities amongst Bulgaria and Indiana to include the celebration of winter to spring, Baba Marta or Ground Day in the US and the celebrations around Christmas evening. I also appreciate that Bulgaria has a strong history of arts and education which I strongly value.

I grew up with the love of arts, culture, and music. I played the flute and piccolo in the symphony and love to read books, go on adventures outside, and learn about nature.

I strongly believe that with the right family, medical and therapeutic resources that every child can reach their full potential!

I am an open minded, flexible, and patient parent that uses positive reinforcement and redirection. I respond compassionately and insightfully when parenting children. I am certified in parent child integration therapy and have nine years of experience with the Orton Gillingham Reading phonics program. I hold a Masters of Business Administration in Finance and International Business. I have worked at the same company since 2012 as a business finance professional. I hold numerous certifications and believe that learning is lifelong.

After four years of IVF fertility treatments and over a dozen failed embryo transfers, I decided to pursue an adoption mindset. The IVF cycles every month became too much emotionally, financially and the hopes of having a child through birth have been grieved.

In preparation for the adoption, I continue to read books on attachment, childhood trauma, adopting older children with special needs, as well as continue to build out the proper medical and therapy resources to align to help build my children’s wellbeing and overall confidence and growth. Since January 2024, I have 150 hours of training from Traumafreeeword, Indiana State RAPT courses, Holt International, various adoption forums, podcasts, and have read various books to include the latest in April 2024: The Body Keeps the Score and You Should Be Grateful.

I long to enjoy hearing my children laugh and explore nature walks and reading to my children at night as a family. I long to help build their confidence and provide life skills to grow them holistically.

In my community, I am a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem advocating for the best interest of children in need of services. I have volunteered in this regard for 13 years across two states. In addition, I am an active volunteer in the children’s ministry every Sunday since 2011. Recently, my family volunteered together for the 2024 Citi para swimming event in Indianapolis, IN. It was a great family experience.

My financial summary is provided below:

• The adoption of the special needs sibling set will cost $179,526 and I have already spent $30,780 to date.

The next fee due to Holt International Agency Fee 2 of over $36,800 and is due in May 2024.

My hope is that I will receive funds through fundraising candles, gifts and grants for the remainder of the amount.

• Receiving your gift could mean that I will bring my special needs children home sooner and start any interventions and build the foundation of family life and provide holistic care for their individual well beings.

Thank you for your review and consideration to put my family’s dreams over finances!

We are forever grateful for your time and in the future would love to pay it forward to future adoptive families!

Regards, Tana

In honor of your gift, a puzzle piece will be added to our family wall with your name and date.

Below are the details on funds allocation (per child): Agency Fee 1: $5,650 (filing fee for an international adoption and country fees)

Agency Fee 2: $36,800 (attorney fees, program fees including training, agency fee, foreign country fees).

Agency Fee 3: $19,500 per child

Documents and Translations: $13,000 per child

USCIS, Med. Exams, Dossier Prep.: $9,000 per child

Note: The above fee structure does not include travel expenses, homestudy, post adoption fees, and medical fees once the adoption is finalized.

Words of encouragement we live by:

"Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love." Mother Teresa

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an escapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects, affects all indirectly." MLK

Klove and The Message