Welcome home, Tanner Tanner

By Andrea Busche

Duluth’s Laurie MacDonald loves to talk about her kids.

“Look at this one! Isn’t he cute?” she coos as she scrolls through her phone’s camera reel, proudly showing photos of her two sons, Glenn and Tanner.

More than 30 years have passed since MacDonald adopted her first son, Glenn, now age 38. On July 23, 2018, the adoption of her second child, 17-year-old Tanner, became official. In October, she flew to Bulgaria to bring Tanner home, making her an expectant new mom once again — at age 63.

Natural transition

MacDonald grew up in Two Harbors as one of eight children. Family, including several nieces and nephews, has always been a big part of her life.

In addition to her love for children, MacDonald developed an affinity early on for people with special needs. As a physical education cadet in high school, MacDonald nurtured a relationship with a classmate who had Down syndrome. They swam in the pool together for 45 minutes per day. “I really enjoyed that,” she said.

MacDonald has dedicated her life and career to assisting people with disabilities. She has worked in group homes, a special-needs preschool, summer camps, and has been an American Sign Language interpreter for 28 years. And now she can say she is the proud mom of two incredible sons, who just happen to have special needs.

Glenn

When she was 25, MacDonald became a first-time foster parent. She met little Glenn, who was 2 at the time, at the special-needs preschool where she worked.

“That little boy just got to me,” she said. “I asked his mom if he could spend the day at my house, since my nephew would also be there. That eventually turned into visits every weekend.”

After Glenn was removed from his family’s home because of physical abuse, MacDonald worked quickly to become a licensed foster parent. She became Glenn’s foster mom when he was 4, legally adopting him when he was 7.

Glenn’s childhood was a very happy time for Laurie. “Glenn ate anything,” she said with a laugh. “He was very social, and did well in school. He was a very happy child.”

Glenn attended Central High School, on an Individualized

Education Program — a written document developed for each public school child who is eligible for special education. Glenn graduated in 1999.

Today, at age 38, Glenn is a happy and successful man. He has a job at Bernick’s, which he acquired through Goodwill. He still lives at home with MacDonald and has a social worker, but is pretty independent; he can drive a car, work,

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MacDonald always knew she’d be open to adopting again, but didn’t necessarily expect 30 years to pass before bringing home another child. “I always left my heart open to adopt Glenn’s biological siblings, but that didn’t happen,” she said.

Tanner

It was after a friend adopted a daughter with Down syndrome that MacDonald did a Google search for “Down syndrome adoption” on a whim, and discovered a site called Reece’s Rainbow. From their site:

“The mission of Reece’s Rainbow is to advocate and find families for orphans with Down syndrome and other special needs by raising funds for adoption grants and promoting awareness through an online community, media communications, and other events.”

When MacDonald was 54, she discovered a young boy named Tanju (a name she would later change to the Americanized version, Tanner), living in a group home setting in Bulgaria. Tanner has Down syndrome, and is both deaf and non-verbal. But MacDonald loved his spunky personality and saw nothing but potential in this child.

As an ASL interpreter, when MacDonald learned Tanner was deaf, she exclaimed: “Down syndrome and deaf? What a bonus!”

Initially, MacDonald didn’t intend to adopt Tanner, and supported him in other ways; through financial donations, and sharing his story through social media. When Tanner turned 16, with no prospects of an adoption, MacDonald knew she needed to act.

“The United States will only allow you to bring a child home until they are 16. I applied through the immigration office when he was 16, and even though he’s now 17, we made it. When he steps on American soil, he will be an American citizen.”

MacDonald first visited Bulgaria to meet Tanner in April. “I’m terrified of flying, but I knew I had to do this. I’d fly the plane myself if I had to,” she said. During that four-day visit, she formed a special bond with her new son.

MacDonald is grateful to have received plenty of financial assistance to help bring Tanner home. Of the approximately $36,000 required for an international adoption, she received $14,500 from a Florida woman named Summer Gordon, who was deeply touched by Tanner’s story. She also received other donations in excess of $15,000.

It’s official

Tanner’s adoption became official on July 23, and MacDonald and Glenn recently traveled to Bulgaria to pick Tanner up, returning home on Oct. 24. Since he’s been home, life has been busy for the MacDonalds as Tanner gets added to his mom’s insurance policy, receives medical testing and is enrolled in school at Duluth Denfeld, near MacDonald’s home. Coincidentally, Denfeld is also where she is working as an ASL interpreter this school year. She will also soon begin teaching Tanner sign language.

But there has been plenty of time for fun, too. Tanner has enjoyed swinging at the playground with his new brother, trips to the grocery store, and getting a new

Continued on page 36 haircut.

MacDonald seems uniquely qualified to mother this particular child. “Through many years working in the school, I’m aware of what’s available to Tanner, and what he qualifies for,” she said. “All of the resources are in place.”

And, Glenn, who happily joined MacDonald on her journey to Bulgaria, is excited to have his little brother home. “Glenn has said, ‘I’m his role model. I know what he’s been through.’ Glenn already refers to Tanner as his little buddy,” MacDonald said.

Consider adoption

As an older, single woman, MacDonald probably isn’t the stereotypical “new mom.” But she provides the wisdom and resources for Tanner that other families simply could not.

“There are 160 million orphans in the world,” she said. “And, I would encourage other people to adopt. But if you’re not able to adopt, please say a prayer, send a card, or buy a gift card for a family pursuing adoption. Any small gesture would touch the heart of an adoptive family.” D