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NEIGHBOR PROFILES AND STORIES

ONE YEAR BIRTHDAY FOR A SPECIAL RESIDENT

Katie and Matt Helms of 125 O. Henry Avenue, celebrated the first birthday of their son Reid Hampton Helms on July 11. This was also a time for Katie and Matt to reflect back on the very successful adoptive process that brought Reid to them a year ago. After many frustrating and stressful fertilization tests and procedures failed, they decided to adopt a baby. Internet surfing, reading, and consulting with an adoptive attorney provided initial information, but also confusion. They attended a support group meeting of the Southern Piedmont Adoptive Families of America in Charlotte.

This led them to Marsha Barker, an adoptive consultant in Atlanta who provided the guidance to help them understand the adoptive process. The first three months included several home visits, interviews, and preparing personal background data to qualify them as adoptive parents. The personal profile to introduce you to the birth mother is a very important document. All preparation was completed in May, 2004, and five adoption agencies were selected. This started daily monitoring of web sites and telephone calls hoping to find an interest match between Katie and Matt and a birth mother. Then on June 15, a soon-to-be mother in Salt Lake City, Utah, sounded right to them and their profile was sent to her. Three days later they were informed she wanted Katie and Matt to adopt her baby boy due to be born in mid-July. The next few weeks they were on pins and needles since the birth mother could have reversed her decision. They talked to the birth mother a couple of times on the phone and this gave them reassurance, especially when she told them they could name the baby.

Katie and Matt received a call at 5:30 AM on July 11 that the birth mother was on her way to the hospital. They arrived later that day at the Salt Lake City hospital to meet the birth mother and their two-hour old baby boy. The birth mother said good-bye the next day and the following day Katie and Matt left the hospital with Reid Hampton. They were required to stay in Salt Lake City until Utah and North Carolina paperwork cleared. This turned out to be twelve days in a motel with a newborn and not being properly equipped. It also consisted of frustration while expediting telephone calls to move the paperwork along. Finally, this family of three arrived home, a little tired and crying . . . but home!

Reid has started to grow into his large feet and hands. His feet are helping him to navigate the playroom with good agility. Katie and Matt are not sure if he will use his large hands to become a concert pianist like his grandmother or a professional wrestler like his great-uncle, Mr. Wonderful. He certainly comes from a varied family tree. One thing for sure, he will be a loving big brother someday as Katie and Matt are getting closer to starting this process over again.

Submitted by John Hart