Yes. My mom is a single parent. She adopted me on her own, and she raised me and my younger sister—who's also adopted from China—on her own. There was definitely a lot of hard work that went into that—being a single parent and not having some of the benefits that exist today, the extra 15 weeks especially.
It would make a difference if that were to be put into place. I know that my mom has said very similar things to what Cathy said. She would do it again. In many ways, we've helped her more than she can explain. As much as I am grateful to be part of the family, I know that she's very grateful to have adopted me. I think that so much good can come out of adoption.
The government should support that and set it up for success so that adoptees can succeed and adoptive parents can succeed—the whole family unit. If the right supports exist in terms of employment benefits—to have that leave—that just further allows for success of the whole family, all of the individuals involved. It allows for that bond to form and for them to grow up, have those secure attachments and have strong bonds and relationships with not only family members but other individuals as well. It really is so multi-faceted.
Thank you.