ÿþ<html><body bgcolor="#FFCD71" text="#000000" leftmargin="0" topmargin="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0">ÿþ <!--Designed by RJ Dezign www.rjdezign.com / +65. 2739961 --> <head> <title>TOUCH Adoption Services</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> </head> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="_css/rj_dezign.css"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" height="100%"> <tr> <td valign="top"> <div align="center"> <table width="760" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td width="90" background="ui_img/ui_titleBG.gif" valign="top"><img src="ui_img/title_about.gif" width="90" height="400"></td> <td width="670" valign="top"> <table width="670" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" height="150"> <tr> <td height="121"><img src="ui_img/ui_maskhead.gif" width="670" height="120"></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="30"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=5,0,0,0" width="670" height="30" name="NAV"> <param name=movie value="ui_img/ui_nav.swf"> <param name=quality value=high> <param name=menu value=false> <embed src="ui_img/ui_nav.swf" quality=high menu=false pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="670" height="30" name="NAV"> </embed> </object></td> </tr> </table> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" height="20"> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> </table> <table width="670" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" height="150"> <tr> <td width="260" valign="top"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=5,0,0,0" width="260" height="223"> <param name=movie value="ui_img/img_about3.jpg" bgcolor="#FFCD71"> <param name=quality value=high> <param name=quality value=false> <embed src="ui_img/img_about3.jpg" quality=high menu=false pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="260" height="223"> </embed> </object> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="5" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td class="detailtxt" width="9" valign="top"><img src="ui_img/ui_heart.gif" width="9" height="14"></td> <td class="detailtxt"><b class="body"><a href="index.html">About Us</a></b></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="detailtxt" width="9" valign="top"><img src="ui_img/ui_heart.gif" width="9" height="14"></td> <td><b class="body"><a href="about_mission.html">Our Mission</a></b></td> </tr> <tr> <td class="detailtxt" width="9" valign="top"><img src="ui_img/ui_heart.gif" width="9" height="14"></td> <td><b class="body"><a href="about_testimonies.html">Testimonies</a></b></td> </tr> <tr> </tr> </table> <p class="detailbold">&nbsp;</p> </td> <td width="10" valign="top"><img src="ui_img/ui_spacer.gif" width="10" height="1"></td> <td width="400" valign="top"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="5" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td class="detailbold">Stories, testimonies &amp; feedback</td> </tr> </table> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" height="20"> <tr> <td class="detailbold">&nbsp;</td> </tr> </table> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="5" cellpadding="0"> <tr> <td valign="top" class="body"> <p><b>A testimony by a member of TOUCH Adoptive Families Network (TAFNET)</b> <br>&#45; Kara Ekeberg</p> <p>The benefits of TAFNET can often be accumulative and ongoing, not always so obvious and transparent. When I first joined, my child was just a toddler and I was wondering what benefits the subject of disclosure, for example, could really have for us. However, armed with good reading materials, some suggested answers (by the group, social workers and guest speakers) I am eternally grateful for the TAFNET advice when the day finally arrived for us. Sure enough, at three and a half years old, (as advised would probably happen) she asked me if she was adopted. Instead of being shocked, frightened and tongue tied, I was able to answer her with confidence, pride and love& An amazing calm settled on me and I knew that I am now armed for the next batch of questions, easy or difficult, with great support, advice and love from TAFNET.</p> <p></p> <hr> <p><b>Quotes from prospective adopters</b><br> <br> Words cannot fully express the gratitude and appreciation we have for the excellent service, advice and wisdom rendered by our assessor, who was absolutely professional and efficient in completing our home study report at an amazing pace and also her compassion and concern in following-up to ensure that our adoption process was proceeding well. My appreciation also to TOUCH as an organization and the admin for the very good support and efficient service.</p> <p align="right">Mr & Mrs Ong</p> TOUCH Adoption Services and its staff have been both efficient and helpful during this home study assessment. We very much appreciate all the advice and guidance given. The support from TOUCH and TAFNET throughout the adoption journey is invaluable. And not just on this occasion but also in 2003 and 2005!</p> <p align="right">Mr & Mrs Stanley</p> Before we embarked on the adoption journey, stories we heard and read about the proceedings filled us with anxiety and apprehension. But our longing for a child of our own overcome all emotions and we got on with it. Our lawyers referred TOUCH Family Services to us and we felt especially blessed to have our appointed assessor. She has been professional and at times, demanding in her several meetings with us. But at the same time, she guided us through the entire process with extreme patience, politeness, thoughtfulness that only a true professional can. For that we are very grateful! We are also very impressed with the various educational programs organized and certainly intend to be an active participant in the coming months. TOUCH and our assessor, you are winners!</p> <p align="right">Mr & Mrs Ong</p> The assessor is very warm and friendly person who made the whole process of the home study a very easy and a positive experience. In fact at the office, we found all the staff very warm and would definitely recommend the service of your organization to others.</p> <p align="right">Mr & Mrs Singh</p> <hr> <i><b>Quotes from workshops and conference participants</b></i></p> <p><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="5" cellpadding="0"> <b>Pre-adoption workshop</b><br> <tr> <td class="body" width="8" valign="top">&#149;</td> <td class="body" valign="top">Effective and meaningful workshop. The speaker delivered with passion and important information. (Mr Fong)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="body" width="8" valign="top">&#149;</td> <td class="body" valign="top">I ve learnt more than what I came for, that s great. The speaker brought home some down to earth issues. (Ms Faridah)</td> </tr> </table> <p> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="5" cellpadding="0"> <b>Disclosure Workshop &lsquo;Talking with your child about adoption&rsquo;</b><br> <tr> <td class="body" width="8" valign="top">&#149;</td> <td class="body" valign="top">Very interesting, topics very engaging and very real. Definitely will benefit those who attend. Good job, well done. Thank you for sharing. (Ms Norlilah)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="body" width="8" valign="top">&#149;</td> <td class="body" valign="top">Very relevant and insightful advice delivered in a digestible and relaxed manner, on a very difficult and sensitive subject. (Ms Ye)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="body" width="8" valign="top">&#149;</td> <td class="body" valign="top">Good selection of speakers, professionally run. (Anonymous)</td> </tr> </table> <p> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="5" cellpadding="0"> <b>Adoption conference (3  7 May 2008) </b><br> <tr> <td class="body" width="8" valign="top">&#149;</td> <td class="body" valign="top">Thanks to TOUCH for making this conference possible. The speaker is able to relate concrete problems and provide very clear, easily understandable explanations. She s a pro. (Mr Arul)</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="body" width="8" valign="top">&#149;</td> <td class="body" valign="top">Case studies were very important to me and I thank the brave individuals and their families for sharing their incredible stories with us so that we can learn from them. (Ms Ekeberg)</td> </tr> </table> <p></p> <hr> <p>&#147;A new lease of life&#148; &#150; <a href="pdf/story_ty.pdf" target="_blank">click here</a> to read how baby TY celebrated his birthday while fighting a tough battle against his congenital condition.</p> <p></p> <p>If you have a story or feedback to share, <a href="mailto:adoption@touch.org.sg" target="_blank">click here</a>. </p> <p>&nbsp; </p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top" class="body">&nbsp;</td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> <object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=5,0,0,0" width="760" height="80" name="NAV"> <param name=movie value="ui_img/ui_footer.swf"> <param name=quality value=high> <param name=menu value=false> <embed src="ui_img/ui_footer.swf" quality=high menu=false pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="760" height="80" name="NAV"> </embed> </object></div> </td> </tr> </table> </body> </html>