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In the summer of 2013, my brother Earl Tietsort and his wife took then 15-month-old Alaina into their home, in Bryan, Ohio. Alaina was quiet and painfully shy, but Earl and his wife began to raise her as their daughter with the hope and intention of adopting her into their family.
The following March, when I visited my brother, I was amazed to discover the smiling, playful, still shy but nonetheless charming and talkative little girl Alaina has become. As a fully-engaged and thoughtful father, Earl has invested the past two years of his life toward creating a loving home for Alaina. I remember him asking me to change the television channel if it was something he didn't want his daughter to watch. But Alaina paid little attention to the TV, as she and Earl would play with toys together or Earl would answer questions or tell her stories when she picked up a book or magazine—or when she pointed at something she was curious to know more about.
Earl has proven himself a remarkable father and patient with the adoption process. So my heart sank when I heard the news that Earl's wife had decided to make major life changes and decisions that would impact this process. Now divorce and living in a conservative area threaten my brother's opportunities—as a soon-to-be-single dad—to adopt his daughter Alaina.
Easy-going and wanting to move on with his life, Earl has moved out of the house at his wife's request and into his own apartment. Friends and family close to him are more aware of the details and the strain on his finances as he's had to cover unexpected debts and expenses. He's been patient and forgiving despite the situation, focused on Alaina's well-being. As he faces a divorce or dissolution, he will likely have to forego adoption at this time and work toward guardianship. We're all hoping that the situation doesn't become more expensive or difficult, and that he can continue to raise his daughter Alaina in a safe and loving home.
The photo above is of my brother Earl, his daughter Alaina, and our mom (Alaina's grandmother) Suzanna. The family has already loaned Earl $1500 to secure an adoption lawyer, money which none of us can easily afford. And if the case goes to court, fees and expenses will quickly add up. I want to do everything I can to help my brother, so that he can continue to raise Alaina as his daughter, as he's done for the past two years. Any amount you're willing and able to donate to support this cause would be greatly appreciated.
The following March, when I visited my brother, I was amazed to discover the smiling, playful, still shy but nonetheless charming and talkative little girl Alaina has become. As a fully-engaged and thoughtful father, Earl has invested the past two years of his life toward creating a loving home for Alaina. I remember him asking me to change the television channel if it was something he didn't want his daughter to watch. But Alaina paid little attention to the TV, as she and Earl would play with toys together or Earl would answer questions or tell her stories when she picked up a book or magazine—or when she pointed at something she was curious to know more about.
Earl has proven himself a remarkable father and patient with the adoption process. So my heart sank when I heard the news that Earl's wife had decided to make major life changes and decisions that would impact this process. Now divorce and living in a conservative area threaten my brother's opportunities—as a soon-to-be-single dad—to adopt his daughter Alaina.
Easy-going and wanting to move on with his life, Earl has moved out of the house at his wife's request and into his own apartment. Friends and family close to him are more aware of the details and the strain on his finances as he's had to cover unexpected debts and expenses. He's been patient and forgiving despite the situation, focused on Alaina's well-being. As he faces a divorce or dissolution, he will likely have to forego adoption at this time and work toward guardianship. We're all hoping that the situation doesn't become more expensive or difficult, and that he can continue to raise his daughter Alaina in a safe and loving home.
The photo above is of my brother Earl, his daughter Alaina, and our mom (Alaina's grandmother) Suzanna. The family has already loaned Earl $1500 to secure an adoption lawyer, money which none of us can easily afford. And if the case goes to court, fees and expenses will quickly add up. I want to do everything I can to help my brother, so that he can continue to raise Alaina as his daughter, as he's done for the past two years. Any amount you're willing and able to donate to support this cause would be greatly appreciated.