HELP ME ADOPT MY SON!

Currently in the state of WV the laws are preventing loving step parents from adoping their step children. By signing this petition you can support children who have been abandoned, first by a birthparent and then by the law.

The current law states that abadonment only occurs when a birth parents fails to have physical contact with the child AND fails to financially support the child. However, WV requires all birthparents to support their children by garnishing wages. It is something that the absent parent cannot refuse to pay and because of the laws protecting a childs right to be supported the custodial parent CANNOT refuse. So that means even though my wife DOES NOT want the childsupport the law REFUSES to let her end the collection of support.

 It doesn't matter that my son's birthfather has not seen, spoken or attempted to contact my son in any way for over 6 years. Because of the mandatory wage garnishing the birth father doesn't meet current standards considered for abandonment. Until this law is changed I cannot adopt my son. Help my family attain our goal. Help the world to see that money doesn't show love. Only hugs, kisses, and physical contact do. I want the world to recognize my son as MY son and ME as his father.

why is this important for the well being of a child? For example, while my son uses my last name when someone asks him his full name it is not his legal name. Therefore, he faces the confusion, embarrassment and alienation when he is faced with school and healthcare situations where he is forced to used his legal name. While he sees himself as a full part of our family with me as his father, schools, doctors, insurance and other such facilities do not. 

Also, Recently, My son suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns. He had to be in the hospital for several days and undergo an operation. I was there for him every minute. It was my insurance who paid for his services. Still, I could not give my consent to treat. The doctors would not talk to me without my wife present. I felt pain because I could not be there fully for my son.

Support alone should not be considered contact. Child support that is garnished from a paycheck should not prevent a loving step parent from adopting a child that has been abandoned physically. 

In my eyes I am his father and he is my son. I am the one who plays catch. I am the one who watches him grow. I take him to his after school activities. I am the one who cheers on the sidelines when he has success and I am the one who wipes his tears when defeated. I am the one who is up with him at night when he is sick. I am the one who goes to Walmart in the middle of the night to get supplies to make him feel better. For the last 8 years it has been me who has been there for him. I may not be the one who gave him life, but he is my son.

Please, help me, my son, my family and the other families that are facing these laws. The laws that are suppose to protect children, are the laws that are currently hurting children. One little word can make ALL the difference.