The story of Justin Hansen, the Russian boy who was returned to his native country by his adoptive mother Torry Hansen, is receiving intense media scrutiny. But the general public will probably never learn the entire story. Even if the whole truth comes out, could the mother’s explanation excuse her actions? Though the Hansens don’t live in a perfect world, couldn’t they have found a better solution to their problem?
Let’s face it. A whole passel of problems accompany the adoption of traumatized, orphaned children, whether they come from abroad or the United States. At the very least, they have abandonment issues to address and sort through. Depending on the level of care they received after being given up by their parents, they may have experienced much more – neglect, sexual or physical abuse, invasive medical treatment – which can lead to attachment disorders, PTSD, and other serious mental illnesses.
For too long, the adoption community has ignored these problems, suggesting that a stable home and loving parents will magically heal adopted children. But recent research shows that most children need intentional mental health treatment to help them recover. And for parents to persevere, they need an encouraging, deep support system populated by faithful friends, accepting family, compassionate teachers, perceptive therapists, and experienced health care professionals surrounding them. I don’t know what kind of support system the Hansens had, but obviously it wasn’t encouraging and deep enough!
If you want to learn more about what it can be like to adopt and parent a child who’s been severely traumatized, you should read Jayne Schooler’s new book, Wounded Children, Healing Homes. (NavPress, 2010) She realistically addresses the issues faced by foster and adoptive parents and their children. She even admits the truth. Not all adoptions work. In rare cases, the child’s needs are so great they threaten the whole family. The adopted child must leave, though not alone on an airplane with a note pinned to his shirt.
For information about how to help traumatized children heal, Peter Levine’s book Trauma Through the Eyes of a Child has techniques for parents to use and advice about when to seek professional help. But for the quickest, most effective treatment available, visit www.traumatherapy.us to learn about the Intensive Trauma Therapy Institute’s treatment model.
Remember, Justin Hansen’s story is the exception, not the rule. With resources like those listed above and by developing better support systems, maybe we can keep other families from making similar, desperate choices so detrimental to their children.
