By Lawrence Belanger
Local Journalism Initiative
The CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS is launching a call to the public to raise awareness of the number of children currently in its youth protection department (DPJ) receiving services and waiting to be matched with a family. To better understand the fostering and adoption experience, The Record spoke with parents Chantal and Jean-Michel, a couple that have three children from DPJ’s “mixed bank” program.
“The adoption of our children is the most beautiful adventure of our lives! They bring us so much, including a great deal of love on a daily basis,” said Chantal. She and her husband looked into fostering/adoption after having trouble having their own offspring.
“Adoption has given us the chance to build our family, while providing a better environment for children in the Eastern Townships in need,” said Jean-Michel. He and Chantal agree that in learning to become parents to these children, their relationship as a couple has also become stronger.
“Our lives have completely changed,” said Jean-Michel. He struggled to narrow down any one aspect of his life that has changed, but said that he’s happier with kids in the house.