Adoptive Families Encourage Others

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By Dan Bewley and Scott Thompson, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- More than 115,000 children are waiting to be adopted in the United States. November is National Adoption Month and plenty of supporters are sharing their stories in hopes other families will adopt.

One day the Colliers were just a married couple, the next night, they had bright-eyed, energetic little boy and an instant family. Tyler Collier is 15 months old and into just about anything. Stacey is his mom.

"We went from being childless to having a child overnight. So, that was a huge adjustment," said Stacey Collier.

Stacey and her husband had been married 15 years before Tyler came into their lives. The couple had tried to have children, but it didn't work out and they turned to adoption.

One thing led to another and they finally decided on Crisis Pregnancy Outreach. The Tulsa non-profit only deals in open adoptions, allowing the adopted family and biological mother to stay in touch. Six months after turning in their application, the Colliers met Tyler's birth mother, a 13 year old, who decided to give him a better life. Tyler was six months old.

"The minute we met him, he grinned at us and laughed. He was just the cutest the little boy and so it was instant," said Stacey Collier.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 1.6 million children under the age of 18 are adopted every year. Of those, 47% are boys, 53% are girls, and 13% are from a foreign country. Depending on the type of adoption, the cost can vary anywhere from no cost to $40,000.

The Colliers paid a little less than $10,000 to adopt Tyler and say they plan to adopt him a brother or sister. They hope others follow their lead, saying Tyler has truly brought joy to their lives.

"I can't imagine loving him more had I given birth to him myself. I'm in love with that kid and it's a fantastic experience and I guarantee that it's no different than having your own child," said Stacey Collier.

The American Adoption Congress will hold a registration drive this Saturday for either those who were adopted or birth family members interested in finding each other. It's at Promenade Mall and starts at 10 a.m.