My Adoption Stories

Tag: life

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
Finding Joy in Adoption: Laughter and Family with Gina Iyer

By Teesta Bhola-Shah When we interviewed Gina Iyer, I immediately noticed how full of energy she was. Adoption can be a serious topic, but it can be filled with funny moments too. Gina was adopted in the United States when she was four and a half and later moved to India with her mother after…

November 15, 2025