Changing Lives Through Adoption

Today we’re getting a look into why Mrs. Kentucky United States 2012, Kathy Polston-Dalton, chose adoption, and why it’s something you should consider, too.

What made you choose adoption as your platform for Mrs. Kentucky?
Well, I have four children. I live my platform everyday of my life. [I chose adoption so] I could be a voice to all the children. Be the voice to encourage them that their time will come soon. It’s also an honor to be able to inspire women on an issue that’s dear to my heart.


How has being Mrs. Kentucky helped you be an advocate for adoption?
I was an advocate for adoption before Mrs. Kentucky. I have been with the agency in Texas that I got my children from. They send parents to me, and I’m used as a counselor to help them consider options that they’re unsure of which to choose; those are gender, if the parents used drugs, and ethnicity. Personally, my husband and I were open to all options. It helps parents to talk to someone who’s been through those experiences and is unbiased. As a pharmacist, it helps when talking about some issues. I’ve also been affiliated with CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children since 2003. It allows you to be a mentor for a child whose been removed from their house because of abuse or neglect, and you may be the child’s only adult who cares for them through that hard time.
 
What would you say to anyone who is considering adoption?
Even if you have your own kids and God blessed you to be able to have kids, open up your heart to other children. See if you could change a life and give back by adopting a child and being thankful that God’s blessed you with your own. Take a child that’s not yours and make him or her a part of your family. You not only change that child’s life, but it changes your life, as well.

Contributed by Alexas Gregory, Editorial Intern for Today’s Family magazine.