If someone told you he was adopted, you might look at his adoptive parents to notice any physical differences. But by focusing on appearances, you might overlook the love and actions of a "normal" family. Kate Burke, president of the American Adoption Congress, can relate to that from the adoptee's point of view. She thinks adoption should focus on the needs of children rather than the needs

Stories about adoption have made the headlines and are receiving increased visibility. While topics surrounding adoption are openly discussed - from agency vs. independent placements to finding biological parents - most of the discussing is done by adult professionals and the courts, with adopted kids rarely sharing their thoughts. In 1986 (the last year statistics are available), 104,088 ch

Approximately 5,000 Chinese children are adopted by U.S. citizens every year. One of those children not only was able to revisit her roots in China but also wrote a book about it. Ten-year-old Ying Ying Fry wrote "Kids Like Me in China" after visiting the orphanage in Changsha, in Hunan province, where she spent her early months. In the book, she describes her trip, including her visit to the orph

Last year, seven teens who were "aging out" of the foster- care system wrote a letter outlining concerns about the system and suggesting ways to make placements easier. Among those suggestions: * Keep siblings in touch. "Some of us go months without seeing our brothers and sisters. If a foster home cannot be found to take all siblings, then arrangements should be made for regular visits and not ju

It seems to be a law of nature: No kid has a perfect family, particularly after bratty siblings, parents and eccentric relatives are factored in. But while every family has its problems, teens like Tiffany arguably have more than most. Tiffany, 17, has been in the foster care system for more than two years, ever since her mother's boyfriend was charged with molesting her in April 2002. Her surname