THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 26, 1995 TAG: 9511240011
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 30 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEAN GEDDES, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines
Darrell Teague is going to spend Saturday lending his muscles and spare time at a garage sale.
He's happy to do it. In fact, he's grateful for the chance to lend a hand.
It's a way he can say thank you.
Teague and about 200 other people who have adopted or who are trying to adopt babies through the non-profit Shore Adoption Agency are holding a garage sale Saturday and the proceeds will be used to hold a holiday party for birth mothers who gave their children up for adoption.
Their goal, said Theresia Teague, Darrell's wife and head of the 11-member committee planning the sale, is to raise $1,000. The ensuing party will help birth mothers enjoy the holidays, a time which is especially difficult for a woman who has made the decision to not keep her baby, she said.
The agency's annual Christmas party is very dear to the hearts of both adoptive and birth parents, both of whom know that the holidays is when emotions can be very close to the surface. The purpose of the party is not only to let the birth mothers know how much are are appreciated, but to offer some holiday cheer with a social activity and gifts.
The Teagues are eagerly waiting and wanting to adopt a baby. Meanwhile, they keep busy helping with projects such as the garage sale which will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at 1313 Woodhurst Drive across from First Colonial High School. Items for sale include homemade gourmet baked goods, furniture, home accessories and new and used baby things.
They are also trying to dispel a lot of myths about adoption.
``While waiting to connect with an expectant birth mother I've heard quite a few slips of the tongue,'' said Theresia Teague. ``Such tactless remarks as: `Can't you have natural children?' to which I reply, `What is unnatural about adopted children?' ''
Another question she is often asked: ``Why would anyone give away a perfectly normal, healthy baby?'' Her answer to this is: ``They wouldn't be just giving him or her away. They would be choosing adoptive parents to love and nurture their child.''
And if asked what kind of baby they want, her reply is: ``Is there more than one kind of baby? I didn't realize we had a choice other than it being human.''
Sherryl Shonyo, founder of Shore Adoption Service, works closely with couples such as the Teagues as well as with birth mothers. She explained: ``The birth mother won't know until the child is actually born if she can let that baby go. Our agency acts as a consultant to all parties concerned. In parental placement the law requires that both parents meet.''
Stressing the importance of showing compassion and understanding for both birth and adoptive parents, Shonyo said she hopes to help change the public concept about adoption. ``The average person still doesn't realize the sacrifice and courage it takes to place a baby up for adoption. It's a self inflicted pain when one does this and you can only do it by placing the child's interests before your own.''
In the past eight years she has helped place about 300 children in adoptive homes. ``I feel so very fortunate to be in this field. I also feel there is a hand of God in all this.''
One of the children whose adoption Shonyo assisted in is 13-month-old Christopher Keller, who from the beginning of his life has known two mothers. His adoptive father, Harold Keller, explained that with Shonyo's help Christopher's birth mother came to stay with the Kellers a few weeks prior to her due date. The first night she was there she went into labor. Renee Keller, Harold's wife, went with her to the hospital, stayed with her throughout the labor and was in the delivery room for Christopher's birth.
``I was so filled with emotion,'' said Renee Keller. ``I felt sorry for the birth mother; I felt joy for Harold and myself.''
Denise DiSantis and her husband, David, are another adoptive couple. She is co-chairwoman of the garage sale and is contributing her ``famous'' cheese cake to the benefit. She also designed the 120 handmade invitations being sent to the birth mothers.
When the DiSantises decided to adopt a little girl, they already had a son, but wanted more children. Today, 5-year-old Mary Alyssa is a loving part of their family, a child whom Shonyo said, ``Not only came into their arms but crawled into their hearts.'' MEMO: Anyone wishing to contribute to the Gourmet Garage Sale or wanting
further information about Shore Adoption Service, a non-profit
accredited agency, may call 422-6361. The agency has a full staff of
social workers and counselors and is licensed by the Commonwealth of
Virginia.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
Some members of the Shore Adoption Agency garage and bake sale
committee are, front row from left: Denise DiSantis, Harold Keller
and Renee Keller with adopted son, Christopher; and back row from
left: Sherryl Shonyo, founder of the agency; Theresia Teague and
Darrell Teague.
KEYWORDS: ADOPTION by CNB