Photo Credit: Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com
The news is out and Sandra Bullock is shouting the praises of adoption through foster care. Joining big brother Louis (also adopted), is 3-year-old Laila, who was first fostered by Sandra Bullock. As a foster child, Laila’s identity needed to be protected. Sandra has been careful and cautious to maintain privacy, but at the same time, she hopes that the public will become aware of the great need in the United States for children to be given homes.
People Now ‘s editor J.D. Heyman spoke with Ms. Bullock about the addition to her family, about the importance of secrecy, and about the great need for foster homes and adoptive homes. If Laila’s identity would have been revealed publicly before the adoption was finalized, it could have derailed Laila’s future with her new family.
New family photos taken by Sandra’s boyfriend, Bryan Randall (photographer for People Magazine), are the feature of the latest People Magazine. E News reports the scare Sandra experienced in October when photos were released to the public by someone who had seen Sandra and Laila during an emergency room visit before the adoption was finalized. “Unbeknownst to me, a photographer had followed us and taken a photo of us in line,” said Sandra. The following day, the photo was hopping around for the public to see. Having signed confidentiality agreements, and being concerned for the welfare of her soon-to-be-daughter, Sandra took careful measures to be sure CPS was aware of the situation.
ABC News reported the elation Sandra feels as her family has grown: “There’s no doubt in my mind that [Laila] is supposed to be here.” In fact, she told People Magazine, “I can tell you absolutely, the exact right children came to me at the exact right time.”
Over 25% of the nearly 400,000 children in foster care in the United States are eligible for adoption. These are innocent kids who are desperately hoping to be given a forever family, just as Laila was given. Sandra Bullock is joining her voice to the thousands who have adopted through foster care as she shares the joy that comes not only to the child, but also to the parent.
