Families celebrate National Adoption Day

>>Listen to the Bergmann’s story on National Adoption Day

On National Adoption Day, parents all over the country are celebrating the addition of a new child.  Boys and girls are celebrating as well, as they get a new brother or sister.

At the King County Courthouse, the Bergmann family added their fourth adopted child Friday.  Coni and John Bergmann now have three adult biological children and four adopted children.

Telling their story is special guest reporter, 11-year-old Kailey Lingo:

No doubt, Coni Bergmann cares a lot about the children of this world. As the adoption is finalized for her fourth adopted child, most people would see her as a ‘Supermom.’

“I am so humble to just have you in my court room frankly,” said King County Judge Suzanne Parisien.

“It’s so close on the heals of Thanksgiving, I can only think about all the things you have to be thankful for and all the things you have given so many, many, many people,” the judge continued.

Joey had been in foster care with the Bergmann family for three years.

When Coni realized she didn’t want to let Joey go into another home, not knowing how he was going to be treated, she decided to adopt him.

Her family also understands that all children are the same no matter how they look or how they speak. All families are unique.

“Emma and Riley are the only ones (…) that they deal with ‘that’s not your sister, she’s not your sister,’ ” said Coni. “We talked about adoption and the words are not taboo or anything like that. Emma just now says ‘families are made all different ways’ and she leaves it at that”.

Emma understands that even though they don’t share the same DNA, they are still sisters.

Northwest Adoption Exchange 

DSHS Children’s Administration page for foster parenting