Cricket and Elizabeth's Story
I remember our first meeting with Wanda for our home study. She was quite respectful, yet very thorough. Beth and I told her we would take kids that needed extra help since I am a social worker and Beth is a special ed teacher. We felt equipped to handle the challenges. Little did we know it would be much larger than we could have imagined. Wanda helped us through the arduous process of fingerprinting, background checks and interviews. She told us of free educational opportunities for parenting. She encouraged us during the trying moments when we felt impatient. She was right there when we got off the plane in May 2000 to take pictures of our first son.
When we made our second trip to pick up 4 daughters, we had to call from California to say we needed jackets (it was Thanksgiving weekend) because all we were able to get for them out there was sweatsuits. We arrived in Burlington to see Wanda and staff waiting for us with winter clothes and the ever present camera.
Needless to say, the next few months were a bit hectic, yet the Lund staff was right there beside us with gifts for Christmas, guidance through all the adjustments and regular visits to help us negotiate systems. Adoption day was a festive occasion and Wanda was there with flowers for all the girls.
Over the last 8+ years of our relationship with Lund we have been provided with financial support for camp opportunities, emotional support during trying meetings with school officials and of course, the Santa Claus that shows up every year with jackets and boots for the kids. Beth and I work hard to see that the kids get what they need. But because of the generosity of Lund Family Center supporters, we can also afford to get them some of the toys they want.
While we have been blessed to work with a number of different folks from Lund, I don't know what we would have done without Melissa during our fights with the school system. Beth knows special ed law inside and out, yet it is like pulling teeth to get the kids what they need and the school administration does what it can to make the process difficult. Melissa has not only provided us with emotional support but has taken the time to attend meetings with us to keep us calm and lend her expertise.
While our children have achieved monumental growth over the last few years, and have come much farther than would have expected, they need extra support to continue on their way to becoming productive members of our society. Without Lund, I don't know if we would have the energy to fight. Lund Family Center, VT Children's Aid Society and Vermont Parent Information Center (VPIC) have banded together to help us along this journey.
Melissa helped us put this team together and continues to be our guardian angel. So thank you...thank you...thank you!!!
For more information regarding adoption, please contact Wanda Audette at
(802) 864-7467 or via email at wandaa@lundfamilycenter.org.