“Adoption has changed my life in every possible way. Without question, it is the most incredible thing I’ve ever done and the achievement I’m most proud of,” says Sulin

For Sulin, choosing adoption wasn’t a second choice, it was always the path she wanted to take.

“I always knew I wanted to be a mum,” says Sulin. “I wanted to provide a child with the kind of home that every child deserves, one that’s filled with love, acceptance, safety and unconditional support.”

Although the adoption assessment was emotionally demanding, she found the process incredibly positive.

“At the beginning, I worried that my past would count against me,” says Sulin. “But with the support of my social worker, I realised that my experiences weren’t a weakness, they were my strength. They’d given me empathy, patience and understanding that would help me parent a child who had experienced trauma.”

Choosing Caritas Care was an easy decision.

“We got a real sense of family and approachability straight away,” says Sulin. “It felt like there was a genuine focus on matching the right child with the right parents, and knowing there would be lifelong support really mattered to us.”

That support proved invaluable long after their son came home.

“It didn’t just stop once he came home,” says Sulin. “When we faced challenging behaviours and later discovered he had additional needs, we always had somewhere to turn. If Caritas Care couldn’t provide exactly what we needed, they pointed us in the right direction. The door was always open.”

The early days weren’t without challenges.

“He struggled with sleep, he had insecure attachment and became very distressed if I left the room. We were new parents learning together and there were difficult moments. But with patience, consistency and the support from Caritas Care, we found our way,” Sulin explains.

Sulin believes having the right people around her son made all the difference.

“It really does take a village to raise a child,” Sulin says, “Caritas Care supported us, school supported us, and together we learnt how to advocate for him and understand his needs. When everyone is focused on the child and rooting for them, it’s amazing what they can achieve.”

Looking back, the rewards have far outweighed the challenges.

Sulin reflects, “Becoming a mum through adoption taught me so much about myself, it showed me my resilience, my capacity to love unconditionally and just how strong we are as a family.”

Today, watching her son grow into a caring, determined young man fills her with pride.

“People often say how lucky he is, but I always think about what he’s given us,” says Sulin. He’s transformed our lives. It’s a privilege to be his mum.”

Sulin’s advice to anyone thinking about adoption is simple.

“Don’t let fear or self-doubt hold you back. Adoption isn’t about being perfect – it’s about providing love, stability, safety and lifelong commitment. If you can offer a child a safe and loving home, never underestimate the difference you can make…and the difference they can make to your life.”