Timmins woman writes book to help children and families discuss adoption
For years, Lynn Deiulis has wanted to write a book for children and families about how to talk about adoption.
The idea for her self-published guide, 'What is your Story?' is based on personal and professional experience.
“When kids are not born into the family that they’re raised in, they have questions," said Deiulis.
"Sometimes they’ll ask their questions and it’s openly answered and sometimes it shuts down, and so then they start to feel is it something about me. Did I do something wrong? How did get here?"
Deiulis retired from the adoption services sector this summer and began writing the book after spending the past few years searching for birth parents, relatives and foster parents.
She said she understands the issue can be an uncomfortable topic for children who are adopted or who live in kinship with other relatives.
“They always find it a struggle -- how do we bring it up? How do we talk to the kids about their adoption status? When do we do it? How old should they be?"
After meeting one of her half-sisters and learning that she was an artist, Deiulis asked her to illustrate the pages of her book.
“I mean, the words had always been there but when I put them to the characters, it just made sense," she said. "It’s a real book and it talks about real facts, so it talks about genetic traits, it talks about cultural traits.”
Deiulis said there are many ways to use the interactive book and when the discussion gets too heavy, there are activity pages after each chapter. There, kids can use things like word searches and drawing pages to help release any overwhelming feelings they might have.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
LIVE @ 1:15 PT B.C. premier to give announcement related to public drug use
B.C.'s premier is scheduled to give an update Friday about public drug use in the province.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.