We'll see a lot more of Rodney Atkins on TV this month -- not singing country music, but rather singing the praises of adoption. Atkins is the celebrity spokesperson for the National Council for Adoption and will appear in several PSAs for the organization throughout the month of May. It's a cause that is near and dear his heart."Love saved my life," Atkins writes on the FamiliesForAll.org site. "You may not know it, but I was adopted as a baby by my wonderful parents, Allan and Margaret Atkins of Cumberland Gap, Tenn. I was a sickly baby, and after two sets of adoptive parents took me home, they returned me to the orphanage because of a serious respiratory infection. But as they say, the third time's a charm, because my mom and dad adopted me and took me into their home where I was raised in a family full of love. My parents believed that love is the best medicine, and I'm living proof of that."
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Reader Comments(1 of 3)
steveat 5-06-2009
i'm proud that his life has turned out so well and he was very lucky to have been adopted by those wonderful people. now then, if he'll just stop writing and performing icky sweet, corny assed songs, we'll all be a lot better off.
lvgutterboyat 5-07-2009
Love your music bro, there's a song in there Iam sure. lol That's the kind of story we just don't hear enough of. God bless.
roguebmommaat 5-07-2009
i like sticky sweet mushy songs. beats that vulgar stuff by a mile
bethangel4at 5-08-2009
Please don't knock Rodney Atkins' music! In truth "Goin' Through Hell" became my (then 7 year old) son's and my anthem while he underwent the tortures of a bone marrow transplant a couple of years ago. He would be getting stuck with needles in both arms, and was always in so much pain... he and I would sing it together and the nurses around us would actually cry. When he needed a little pick-me-up, we would play it and I would dance crazily around the hospital room to make him laugh.
It meant the world to him when he was able to finally see Rodney perform the song live in concert almost a year later.
So when you think about it, it was the love that he received growing up that allowed him to share his gift...and he actually wound up helping a child that he will never know.
Zulmaat 5-07-2009
It's always great to hear a story with a happy ending, glad to hear that you were adopted by loving supporive parents.
Tomat 5-07-2009
Who the F**k is Rodney Atkins??????????????????
alphama333at 5-07-2009
It takes a loving family to adopt a kid and give that child a chance for happiness, love and a good life.
Millieat 5-07-2009
Tom, couldn't you speak a little nicer about someone you don't even know?????????????
Janineat 5-07-2009
My husband and I were considering fostering with the intent to adopt, but after reading the horror stories about carers accused of molestation, abuse, and other heinous acts by foster children who sadly had learned manipulation in care, we decided against it. The system does not discriminate it investigates every allegation no matter how absurd, we simply could not afford to be remotely tarnished in such a way. It's a shame, but we are not the only people who do not take this road because of fear of unwarranted accusations by children who don't like rules. Fewer children would be in care if decent people could have some insurance against the cost (in money & reputation) which occur when false allegations are made.
Donnaat 5-07-2009
When one cares more about themselves and their reputation than they do about a troubled child, they do not need to raise that child. PERIOD.
trisholstat 5-08-2009
Janine, there are plenty of us who had the same misconceptions when starting out, but low and behold, after 6 years and 4 adoptions. No allegations or anything of the sort for my family.
There are plenty of children who don't "manipulate the system" simply because they want a forever family.
Janineat 5-07-2009
How unkind you are Donna and how judgmental. Millions of kids languish in foster care, should only those who care nothing about their own lives take them in -- well if so -- not many people are doing so are they?
You do not know us, but you are so sure of yourself.
Perhaps you do not understand the cost to professionals of a loss of reputation, perhaps you believe that it is better to be on the street with a wagonload of refugee kids than to care about such things.
That is how so many of these kids end up in care in the first place -- parents who didn't care or think about consequences.
mrspup2at 5-09-2009
You are so right. You have to look at the whole picture and the way it changes your life too if something goes wrong. I have a long distant cousin who was a troubled child and taken from her older parents and placed in foster care. She wreaked havic everywhere she went. She had one wonderful foster home she stayed at the longest that she really liked and they treated her awesome also. They had done fostering over 3o years and at that time had a few foster kids with them and all of a sudden the cousin started hanging within some bad people ge tting in trouble and trying to stay out late and do what she wanted and when the foster parents disciplined her she got mad and s aid the foster father was touching her inappropriately. She ruined these peoples lives with this. They took all the foster kids out of there while this was investigated and even though it was never proved they still could not place children there. These people were devestated. I never met these foster parents but was told by my family that these people were awesome and did years of amazing work for so many children and they gave a home to many many troubled children for so long and it took one bad seed to ruin it for everyone and once someone is accused of something so terrible it messes up your life. Your good reputation is ruined even though you are innocent. I felt horrible for these wonderful people. So Janine, You are so right to look at the whole picture and the things that cou;ld happen. I do think if a person took in a baby or toddler and started making this child part of the family right off and you raise them with good values there is a better chance that things will go smoothly the whole time and it will be just like raising your own. I do feel sorry for the older children out there though because of a few bad seeds it makes it harder to place them. I think alot goes by how they were raised and there are still thousands of older childer out there who would love to be placed and make a foster families dream of having another child come true. It's all a big chance but it could be amazing too. Oops, sorry I got a little winded here :)
Janineat 5-07-2009
Donna I would love to know your plans for the millions of children who are in foster homes. How will you encourage people who have the means to put all aside in order to take them in.
Or do you think they should stay there? Since so few in your eyes are worthy.
Janineat 5-07-2009
One last word then I will never comment here again: Does anyone remember the McMann kindergarten case and the ruined lives caused by hysterical accusations? How about more recently Paula Poundstone who almost lost her career because of allegations by a foster child, which were shown to be fueled by jealousy of her adopted children -- all of whom the court awarded back to her.
My comments are not unreasonable fears by unworthy people but rather the KEY reason why more people who have real love to give, choose not to foster.
Blame us as selfish if you will -- but if you do -- then foster more yourself.
Millions of children deserve less name-calling and more answers.