In celebration of ATN’s 2016 Angels in Adoption award, we’re profiling ATN members who have helped ATN win the award — and who have themselves been Angels to families and children.
Editor’s note: Many contributors remember that first time an ATN member saved our life. Some ATN members have saved many lives, and so for them, we have more than one post. Enjoy our last angel post… for now.
by: Melissa Sadin
Julie Beem is my hero and ATN angel. I was at a crossroads in my life when I met Julie. I was trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up. I was also coming to the realization that my son Theo, at 16, was headed for his toughest years. When Theo came home from a Bulgarian orphanage he became my greatest joy and my life’s work. As Theo grew, however, I started to feel lonely. I knew getting him through high school and prepared for a post secondary life was going to have it’s unique challenges. So I went online. There I found the Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN). I joined the group and immediately jumped on the online support forum. What struck me was the wisdom and deep understanding being shared by one of the members, Julie Beem. I was no longer alone and I knew that I had just met a group of people who would change my life. After a few back and forth comments, Julie called me. I was awestruck! Julie Beem, the president of ATN was calling me!!!! We talked for hours about adoption, attachment, and childhood trauma. Her deep insight, her knowledge, and her vision inspired me. I have only known Julie for a few years yet she has had a greater impact on me than anyone else in the past 10 years. I have had Julie and other ATN members to support me as my son struggled through the past few years. I know what I want to be when I grow up and I have people to share that dream with. I owe it all to Julie Beem. She is my angel. She is also the rock upon which ATN stands. Thank you, Julie.
