CONTACTS:

I would love to hear from you! Please contact Maria directly at:
Email: targethealth@yahoo.com
Please call collect: Tel: 705-241-4210

Hi,

First and foremost, God Bless you for deciding to carry your pregnancy to term and for seeking out an adoption plan. It takes courage and a caring heart! I can imagine how you feel, the doubts and the questions you may have run through your mind. As a single parent who has had to overcome many hardships in life, it is not hard for me to sympathize with what you may be going through.

Having three or four children was a dream I always had, since I was a little girl. I like big families. I also always knew I wanted to build my family through biological and adoptive children. In fact, my family is no stranger to adoption. One of my cousins is adopted, and my Mom and her siblings were adopted separately as well. It is easy to see why we, as a family, believe that a well thought out adoption plan is the right alternative for anyone who has to make some difficult decisions about an unplanned pregnancy.

I am looking to adopt a child anywhere between the ages of 0 to 6 years of age. I hope that once you have read my story you will realize that I can be a great Mom to the child you are bringing (or already brought) to this world. Let me tell you a bit about my family, my kids, and myself. Hopefully this summary will give you a glimpse into who we are and what a good Mom I am.

My Story

I immigrated to Canada from Brazil 20 years ago. I came here to do my Master’s degree and was already a single Mom to a boy – Ethan. Right after arriving in Canada I met a man at the University. We got married and I had my second child – Alexander. Unfortunately, our marriage did not work out. So, after seven years together, we separated. That was a hard time for me. However, with faith and determination, and support from family and friends, I overcame the obstacles life put in front of me. Today I am an accomplished and stable professional and am able to enjoy a financially secure lifestyle.

I have a great deal of experience in the area of health, injury prevention, and cognitive development. I have a degree Kinesiology and Health Sciences, and Master’s in Medical Physiology. I have taken certificate courses in physical activity for the handicap, swimming for children 0 to 16 years of age, First Aid and CPR training, and more.

Currently I am an established professor of health sciences for a university nursing program. Through my work I have an excellent health benefits plan. I have 2.5 month vacation in the summer, and several other free weeks over the year. It is an ideal job as it gives me a great deal of quality time with my family, which is very important to me.

Personally, I am very jovial and energetic. I enjoy swimming, travelling to the cottage and abroad with the kids. I enjoy gardening, painting (art), music, riding a bike, and Kung Fu. I like dancing in my living room, and singing in the shower (of course!!!). I do not smoke, do not take drugs, and do not drink. My only vice is dark chocolate. What can I say? When it comes to chocolate, it cannot be helped.

Emotionally, I am a strong, motivated person, who takes on challenges with tenacity and dedication. Many have told me that my kids are lucky to have a Mom like me.

Our Home

We live in Barrie, Ontario. I own a three (converts to four) bedroom home, with a fenced backyard, in a newly built upper middle-class family neighborhood. My street is a crescent and we are surrounded by families with young kids. There are several clinics close by, catholic and public elementary schools; pharmacy and supermarket are also close by. The hospital is only a 13 minute drive from our house. The Lakeshore is just few minutes’ drive from our house – there we have the beach and a great park for kids.

We are only about 1.5 hours from the Muskoka region – an area where we like to spend time “cottaging”, swimming, hiking through Algonquin Park trails etc. We are thirty minutes to an hour drive from other great areas where we enjoy going, such as Tiny Beaches, Wasaga Beach, La Fontaine, Blue Mountain etc.

Ethan and Alex

My two biological children are Ethan and Alexander. I had a third pregnancy in 1996, but my baby did not survive past the fifth month of pregnancy. I became very ill and ended up losing my ability to have any more children. Though I was devastated by this change in my life, I knew God would bring me a child through adoption, which is something I always wanted to do.

Ethan, my oldest, just turned 23. He lives and works in Toronto; but he comes home often on weekends and holidays. He has recently completed his first degree in Linguistics, and is now considering medical school. Alexander, my youngest, is 16 years old and lives with me. He attends a local high school and gets along very well with his brother.

Alex is a calm and laid back boy with an affectionate disposition. He has some developmental delay and had many challenges when he was baby; however, now a days he is quite independent, loves to read, enjoys the company of other children, likes to play with his DS, and with his Pokémon cards. He is helpful around the home, prepares his own breakfast and snacks, and likes to spend time at home with family.

Alex loves cuddling with our dog, “Teddy Bear”. Teddy Bear is a mini poodle with a very gentle and affectionate temperament. He loves being around people of all ages and he loves other dogs as well. He is friendly and playful.

I have always been very involved with Alex’s education and health, and have been the advocating voice and the main propelling force behind his development. I took specific workshops, such as the ELF program (Early Language Facilitation Program) to teach children to develop speech; and a Core Rehabilitation Workshop by the American College of Sports Medicine. I am well versed on all the community resources available for children and have relevant connections in this area.

One of the most important qualities a parent must have is the ability to advocate for her children, at all levels and in all aspects of life; mainly when they cannot advocate for themselves. So, you can rest assure that, if you chose me to be the Mother of the baby you are bringing to this world, I will do that and my stamina and devotion will never waver.

Grandparents, Extended Family, Friends

My Mom and Dad are named Thereza and Ulises; they have been married for 55 years and are very devoted to each other. The kids love spending time with them. They have been very supportive parents who have taught me by example and rational discussions. Family affection and closeness are very important in our family.

Dad has two sisters who are married and have kids as well. My Mom is the second oldest sibling of five, some of which are married, have kids who are married and also have kids. So, through Mom’s and Dad’s families we have a large group of aunts, uncle, cousins, and nephews.

I had an older brother as well, but he passed away in 1993. He was an engineer and an amazing artist. We were very close.

We travel to Brazil every year around July or August and have a great time interacting with family and friends. I also enjoy taking the kids on trips and outings right here in Canada. We have gone to the Great Wolf Lodge, Bird Kingdom in Niagara Falls, Insectarium in Montreal, Butterfly Sanctuary and the Children’s Museum in Ottawa, and more. These trips are great opportunities for bonding and learning.

Further to family, I have been very fortunate to have built nurturing, warm and safe relationships since early on in life when I lived in Brazil. I have long-time friends who went to grade school with me, as well as high school and university friends. We are very close and see each other every year.

I have also built nurturing, warm and safe relationships in Canada. I have several very close friends, plus several very good friends and colleagues on whom I rely for advice, comfort, and socialization. Several of my friends are in business with the community as business owners, professors, nurses, chiropractors, real estate agents and more.

Final Words

I have been praying every night asking God to give me another child. Then, after taking the PRIDE training and looking at the whole picture of adoption, I changed my prayers. I now pray for the woman who is carrying the child, so that she can make the best possible decision for this child.

This is nerve wrecking for you and for me. For me, because I am anxiously waiting for a baby; and for you, because you have gone through a range of emotions and this is probably one of the most difficult decisions you will make in your life. I admire your courage in seeking the best possible plan for the baby you are carrying.

Through modeling, consistent rules, and a loving approach I was successful in raising two amazing kids. They are now ready and looking forward to a younger sister, or brother. Alexander is proud that he will get to be a big “bro” for a change. I am hopeful that you will choose me as the parent of the baby you are bringing into this world. If you chose me she (he) will benefit from having a devoted and loving parent, as well as a nurturing, safe and warm relationship with brothers, relatives and friends.

Wishing you many blessings.

Hopeful and lovingly,
Maria