2014 Newsletter

When Steve and Maria Beaulieu became engaged, Maria told Steve, “We’re going to adopt.” Maria is a special needs teacher who is never far away from a hearty laugh. She says she laughed when she told Steve that the adoption issue was non-negotiable. Perhaps so. In any event, Steve got the message and readily agreed.

So some time goes by, and they decide to get on a list for adoption, never dreaming that events would happen quickly. They were soon notified of a set of newborn triplets, three boys, each of whom had some physical problems and perhaps developmental problems as well. “Perfect” said Steve and Maria, and thus James, Christian and Isaac came to a house of love in Peabody.

The boys are so handsome it is easy to forget that they have problems. James has a growth on the back of his head which will require surgery. Isaac has some problem behind his eyes: it is uncertain whether he will be sightless. He is allergic to his own spit up. All three have food allergies and intolerances.

It is amusing to walk around the Beaulieu house and see that there is literally three of everything, from sleepers, to car seats, to cribs, to the tandem carriage, to bassinets, etc. The boys are color coded so that no mistakes are made in their feedings or medications. One toe nail is painted in that child’s color; the bedding is similarly coded; bottles are coded.

We never cease to be amazed by the courage of these adoptive parents, who are so willing, indeed anxious, to take on massive workloads prompted only by a desire to give love. It is, for me, the most striking aspect of my involvement with the Stone Adoption Fund. I hope that you will support our admiration for Steve and Maria, who unite the two objectives of the Fund, helping families with the cost of adoption and helping families meet the costs presented by special needs children. And remember the name “Beaulieu.” Maria pointed out that they will need girls soon to grow up with the triplets.

Kieran Meagher
Trustee