My Adoption Stories

Tag: education

Adoption With Special Needs – What You Should Know

Adopting a child is a complicated experience for everyone who goes through the process. Let’s discuss special needs adoption.

January 6, 2026
A Cradle in Delhi: How One Mother Found Her Daughter at Palna

By Teesta Bhola-Shah Before adoptive parent Ria Patel ever became a mother, she was already working to help children. Her first job after earning her Master’s degree was with the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, a philanthropic organization in India that funds community and social projects. One of their most meaningful missions, she said, was building a…

November 29, 2025
Two Countries, One Goal: How Adoption Differs in India and America

When it comes to adoption, every family’s story starts from the same place: love. But the way that story unfolds can look very different depending on where you live. We interviewed mother Ria Patel, who adopted her daughter Zahra through the Indian adoption system, about her experiences.

November 25, 2025
Palna’s Cradle: Ria Patel’s Adoption Story

Long before Ria Patel became a mother, she spent her weekends surrounded by the soft hum of lullabies, the cries of babies, and the quiet sound of hope echoing through the hallways of Palna, a children’s home in Delhi.

November 22, 2025
From Dallas to India: Gina Iyer’s Adoption Story

By Teesta Bhola-Shah Adoption can mean many different things for different people — complexity, love, loss, anger, family. For adoptee Gina Iyer, it has meant all of these things and more. Born in the United States and raised in India, Gina’s story crosses many continents and cultures. We interviewed Gina about her life and perspectives…

November 14, 2025