‘An honest-to-goodness family’

Brandi and Aaron Lewis have spent the last six years raising Brayden and Mikeal, 6-year-old twins with autism, as their own children.

The only thing preventing them from making that description a legal reality was the need for $2,500 to cover fees and a home study to formalize the adoption.

That obstacle was removed Monday, when a local foundation agreed to cover the cost.

The Kokomo (Ind.) Tribune had reported on the family’s situation in a story published on its website Monday morning.

“What I noticed was the little boys looked really happy with the family, and that’s one of those preliminary things I look for when we do this,” said Jim Richardson, president of A Home for Every Child Foundation, who read about the family’s need in the newspaper’s May 11 edition. “I thought given the time they’ve spent with that family, it’d be a shame to pull them away from the family.”

Typically, a private adoption can cost between $20,000 and $40,000, said Norman Goldberg, president of the National Adoption Foundation. It’s a formidable obstacle that in many cases discourages prospective parents from pursuing a worthwhile goal.

“The agencies are in business to make profit,” Goldberg said. “On a daily basis, most people would make wonderful parents to a child, but very few have that kind of money to put at risk.”

Goldberg said attempts to address the high cost of adoption through state and federal legislation frequently fail because “adoption, unfortunately, is a political football.”

“People who adopt special needs children do get support from their state health and human services departments,” Goldberg said, “but as far as the cost of adoption, it’s still very expensive.”

Brandi Lewis said she was overwhelmed upon hearing the news of the donation.

“I had to sit down, and I just started crying,” Brandi Lewis told the Tribune. “I’m still in shock.”

The couple had already been granted guardianship of the boys, whose biological parents had consented to the arrangement. Those factors, along with the lawyer handling the matter agreeing to discount her fee, accounted for the lower cost.

Still, with Aaron working full-time and Brandi staying home with the boys, the couple’s budget didn’t cover fees including a criminal background check and physical exam, as well as a home study, which itself can cost up to $1,000.

The couple had set up a website to help raise the money and, even though the cost of the adoption and fees are now covered, Brandi said the family will continue to accept donations toward the costs of therapy for Brayden and Mikeal, who also have ADHD and other medical issues.

“The extra money will go to the boys’ therapy, trust funds and other things,” Brandi said. “It’s for them, so they can have the best life we can give them.”

In the meantime, the Lewises said they’re grateful

“It’s phenomenal how the community has gotten together already, just pouring in and wanting to help. There are Good Samaritans out there,” Brandi said. “Our dreams are coming true. We’re going to be an honest-to-goodness family.”

The Kokomo (Ind.) Tribune contributed to this story.