November 15, 2009 11:55 PM
The Blind Side - Michael Oher adoption story - World magazine
World's review of The Blind Side.November is National Adoption Month and World Magazine celebrates with a heart-warming adoption story - recently translated into a heart-warming film starring Sandra Bullock.
Family man
All-American Michael Oher went from the streets as a 15-year-old son of a crack addict to potential NFL Rookie of the Year on the love and dedication of an adoptive family that wouldn't let him fail. The movie that tells their story hits theaters in time for National Adoption Day--and recognition that about 130,000 Michael Ohers are waiting for a family to adopt them | Amy Henry
Zuma/Newscom
MEMPHIS--Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy adopted as a family motto, "To whom much is given, much is required," they had no idea just how much would be required, nor that they were adopting far more than words.
Growing up hungry in the projects of New Orleans, Sean Tuohy intimately understood the plight of the poor athlete. When he became a basketball star at the University of Mississippi and then a fast-food millionaire owning over 80 Taco Bell, KFC, and Long John Silver restaurants, he gained the material means to help others. Tuohy's wife, interior decorator Leigh Anne, also gained a reputation for concern about basics for the underprivileged: "I don't care if you have cable or an iPod," she said, "but I care if you have the lights on, gas and water, a winter coat, and food."
Michael Oher needed help with the basics. Semi-raised by a crack addict a block from the Mississippi River in west Memphis, he and his 12 siblings survived by begging food from neighbors and hiding from social services. With no one checking on or caring for him, Oher spent his days on the basketball courts of Hurt Village, a housing project so dilapidated even the city of Memphis abandoned it. In the fall of 2002, at age 15, he was 6-foot-5 and saw himself as the next Michael Jordan--but he also weighed 350 pounds.
Read more at World
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Comments
I finished the book a couple of days ago and am more than ready to see the movie. What a compelling story! I am hopeful that the movie will more clearly portray that even if Michael had never been able to continue in his football career he was already a winner; he had found a wonderful life in a giving family and most importantly, he had found the Lord.
Posted by: Jill S | November 16, 2009 9:32 AM
I just linked this story to my facebook!
I've been counting the days till opening day; I NEVER go to opening days, but I will make an exception this time. Since the first time I saw the previews, it moved something inside me.
I speak blessings over all of you who have adopted a child (or two or three) and I pray that God will guide me and my family to someone who needs us.
Posted by: LadyLovas | November 16, 2009 11:32 AM
Several years ago I worked with children that had behavioral problems. My first client was an eleven year old boy that had been physically abused by his biological mother and then again while in fostercare. He had taken so many beatings that he was afraid to be touched. He was depressed, angry and talked very little. The fostercare agency had him placed in an emotional support/learning support class in school. The boy seemed bright but had missed alot of school due to moving from home to home. After about a year of working with him, the fostercare agency was going to him again. Well to make a long story short, I adopted John. He was mainstreamed into regular classes and made the honor roll. John has always been good at art. He is in college working toward a degree in art education. He wants to be an art teacher. I am so proud of him!
Posted by: Ruth | December 2, 2009 11:06 AM
Interesting
Posted by: woody | December 2, 2009 2:55 PM
