Reader Response:Mrs. Kentucky Chooses Adoption as Her Platform

To the Editor:
I am a former Governor’s Scholar of Kentucky, college Homecoming Queen, graduate of Samford University School of Pharmacy, president of my college sorority, former owner of a Home Infusion Pharmacy, and a former Chevrolet and Buick General Motors Dealer.

I am involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, American Heart Association and L.I.F.E.House for animals.

I am also a mother of four beautiful children, adopted at birth by husband and me.

Diego, Braeden, Haven and Jagger are 8, 7, 6 and 4 years old, respectively.

I recently became Mrs. Kentucky United States 2012 and have chosen adoption as my platform.

I will compete at the Mrs. United States pageant in Las Vegas this summer, and adoption will be my platform throughout the pageant.

I am thankful for the opportunity that my title has given me to be an inspiration to adoptive parents and those wishing to adopt.

There are currently 6,800 children in the Kentucky Foster System and just 10% were adopted last year.

These are children just like the four we adopted. . . needing a family to love them and to provide them with a life they deserve.

I would love to use my title to be a voice for these children and to reach out to families that are open to adoption and share my story with them.

I think the greatest myth that surrounds adoption is the belief that the process is long and difficult. I hope to use my platform to help dispel this myth.

With the help of an accredited, experienced adoption agency, a couple wishing to adopt can get through the process quickly.

With the help of professionals, the paperwork and legal aspects of adoption can be handled by the agency, allowing the adoptive parents to be stress free and confident throughout the process.

My husband felt the same as I did about adoption. We adopted our first child eight months after we were married.

Adoption was, and is, the greatest experience we have known.

After I give away the Mrs. Kentucky crown I will continue to promote adoption and share my story.

Adoption is my platform this year as Mrs. Kentucky, but it’s been my life for eight years and will continue to be for many, many years to come.

Kathy Dalton
2012 Mrs. Kentucky