Angels in - Pound Pup Legacy

Steven and Constance Nitsch
Representative Fred Upton
Through their work with Heal the Children,
Constance and Steven Nitsch have spent countless
hours helping those who would otherwise never get
the help they need. Heal the Children brings
children to the United States for corrective surgery
and the generosity of Constance, a nurse, and
Steven, a plastic surgeon, has been instrumental to
its success.
Their inspiration came from a young
Guatemalan boy named Alan who had sustained
severe burns and the loss of his left arm during
childhood. The patient/doctor relationship between
Steven and Alan soon blossomed into that of father
and son motivating Steven and Constance to begin
the adoption process for Alan. Several months after
Alan’s surgeries and his return to Guatemala, his
adoption was completed and he was able to return
to the United States to live with the Nitsches.
Despite the early trauma and obstacles in his life,
Alan has become one of the most exceptional
soccer players in the state of Michigan. Steve and
Constance Nitsch are indeed exemplary adoptive
parents.
Paul and Sherry Petroelje
Representative Vernon Ehlers
For Paul and Sherry Petroelje, foster care and
adoption began 17 years ago as a way to expand
their family beyond parenting their biological son.
Their modest desire to have a family, however, has
blossomed into a lifelong process of loving children
and learning how to meet their varied special
needs. Over the years, the Petroeljes have adopted
seven children and have fostered 28 others.
Regardless of the Petroeljes’ years of experience,
each child who comes into their home provides Paul
and Sherry with new opportunities to learn, to
stretch their limits, and to love and serve children in
the simplest way – by providing a loving family.
Although the couple participated in special
needs training before accepting the first child into
their home, Sherry says they had no idea all they
would need to learn to meet the needs of Vern, a
five-year-old boy with special needs. Much of what
they learned in raising him prepared them to parent
the many children who would later come into their
home. Through their experiences, the Petroeljes
learned about the importance of advocacy and
perseverance. “Parents need to be confident in their
belief that they know their child and his/her needs
better than anyone else, and to continuously push
to get those needs met,” Paul explained, “Families
should not be reluctant to use the special resources
and help available for families, including residential
treatment, if necessary.”
After Vern, they adopted six children with many
different challenges. The Petroeljes also have a
network of friends who are involved in foster care
and adoption. They use their network for sharing
problems, finding resources, and friendship. Sherry
has also been active as a foster parent mentor as
well as being a member of the foster parent
advisory committee for Bethany Christian Services.
“Even when our children’s needs have seemed
overwhelming, God has always provided resources
and help,” Sherry said, “Despite difficult times, we
wouldn’t trade any of them. In His perfect way, God
has balanced our children’s special needs with the
special joy they bring to us.”
Alan and Kristine Yeadon
Representative Nick Smith
When Alan and Kristine Yeadon first applied to be
foster parents, they asked for children younger than
their own, the oldest of whom was 12. Their desire
to become foster parents was sparked by Kristine’s
experience as a foster sister. In addition, Alan
participated in the Kinship program. Seeing the
great need for parents, the Yeadons realized they
had the time, concern, and love to share with
children and their families.
Their first placement turned out to be three
teenagers and an infant. The Yeadons quickly found
that older children were a good fit for their family.
Their five biological children have willingly shared
their home with 13 foster brothers and sisters in the
last three years, an experience the Yeadons believe
has benefited their whole family. Currently, their
family includes children from ages one to 15.
Today, the Yeadons are in the process of
adopting a daughter. They have seen many
successes with their temporary charges, some of
whom were placed with relatives and others readied
for adoption. According to the Yeadons, “All of our
children have made many adjustments along the
way. It has not always been easy for them but the
lessons they have learned and the great amount of
compassion, understanding, acceptance, and
flexibility they now possess will stay with them
always. “
47