About Us:
The Oklahoma Attachment and Bonding Coalition was established by four mothers who found one another through their desperate search for resources. It was a miracle we came together. Until we discovered the other adoptive families we felt we were out there alone.
After finally receiving a diagnosis: “No, you are not crazy. It has a name—Reactive Attachment Disorder,” we were dealt a second blow. “That’s a tough one, good luck.”
Our new-found relief of knowing WHAT was wrong was quickly squashed with a severe lack of resources in treating the disorder and supporting our families.
We began a scavenger hunt that yielded…
• A serious lack of attachment-trained therapists;
• Traditional psycho/play therapy treatment models that made our children sicker and made us feel more hopeless;
• No respite providers;
• No help—family supports were blown?? and the attitude existed that “you adopted them, it’s your problem;”
• Little expertise on the subject; and
• A prognosis that was not optimistic for the future.
Once we found each other, we cried, we laughed, we got angry, and then we got proactive. Our kids deserve better, it is not their fault. So, we made a plan. The Oklahoma Attachment and Bonding Coalition was formed. What does this mean? It means now you are not out there alone.
Our kids are all unique. They are each at different places on the RAD continuum. One family may be having a pretty good week while another is in meltdown mode. We don’t have all the answers but have found that by sharing and working together we may avoid making the same mistakes.
We still have hope and dreams for our children. Together we want to empower parents to become strong advocates—not only for their children but for the adoption community as well.
As we grow, our services will grow. This is a passion that is born out of heartache, frustration, pain, and steel resolve.