How a Single Mom Created a Family Against All Odds

In this episode of Voices of Adoption, hosts Donna Pope interviews Mike Gaines, who was born with drugs in his system and adopted at 18 months by a 45-year-old single mother facing significant barriers. The state initially resisted the placement due to her age, marital status, and the child's medical challenges, but her faith and determination prevailed.

Foundations of Trust and Care

Mike shares how his adoptive mother carefully withheld sensitive information until he reached emotional maturity at age 18, then revealed his birth circumstances, including drug exposure and parental rights termination at the hospital. Her timing allowed Mike to process his story fully, appreciating her wisdom in protecting him while maintaining honesty about his origins.

Family, Faith, and Community

His mother built a strong support network through church, godparents, and extended family to overcome single-parent limitations. This foundation enabled Mike to excel academically despite early predictions of developmental delays, eventually becoming a podcast host, children's book author, and adoption advocate who encourages families to consider older or medically complex foster children.
Mike’s journey demonstrates how prepared single parents with faith, planning, and community support can transform adoption challenges into thriving family outcomes.

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