Couple holding hope for adoptions

St Albans Park couple Tina and Marty Wilkinson’s decision to adopt a child was “very automatic” after realising they were unable to conceive naturally.
“I always had in my heart I wanted to adopt at some stage in life,” Ms Wilkinson said.
“Being able to save a child from a terrible situation by giving them a two-parent, lovable home is very important.
“This has led us to do something maybe we wouldn’t have gone to do otherwise.”
The Wilkinsons are networking through Facebook with prospective adoptive parents in the Geelong region to begin a “pre-parents” friendship group, Holding Hope.
“You may not know anyone else who’s been there, you may be hanging on tales of a friend of a friend of a friend,” the Facebook page said.
“Holding Hope is about connecting you with others in the Geelong area who are also spending their evenings deliberating over forms and sifting through poorly constructed websites for much needed information.”
Ms Wilkinson said the couple had so far faced struggles including difficulty communicating with Department of Human Services.
They had ruled out overseas adoption due to restrictions including Taiwan requiring both parents belong to the same religion.
“We just really wanted to connect and talk to people. I’ve got friends to talk to and good family support but it’s not the same as someone who can really empathise,” Ms Wilkinson said.
Anyone interested in Holding Hope could email helloholdinghope@gmail.com or visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/holding.hope.7, she said.