My name is Michael Helwig, and believe it or not, I am adopted!  I was adopted on September 8, 2014, and this is my story.

I am currently 14 years old and I live with my mom, my dad, and my two sisters.  We also have a dog and two cats - they are adorable.  My favorite thing about my family is that they have a motto: "Helwigs DON'T QUIT."

Before my adoption, I was a foster kid.  I was separated from my sisters at the age of six or seven.  When they went to live somewhere else, I felt alone, like I was abandoned.  I carried that emptiness inside me for two years.  At the same time, I bounced from home to home.  I was abused and I was mistreated.  For me, it was just one bad thing after the other.

Then I finally met them, my TRUE mom and dad.  They made me feel like I was loved again.  They wanted me the way I wanted them.  Slowly I started to open up more.  I did have my little moments like when I was upset, but no matter what I did, or no matter how bad I was, my mom and dad would always support me and stand up for me.  I think the best part about a forever how is that YOU CHOSE TO BE A PART OF THEIR LIFE.  ONLY YOU CAN DECIDE IF YOU WANT ADOPTION.

I am Michael Helwig and adoption was my choice!  Knowing that this was my decision to make, I know I'm always going to be loved for me, the good and the bad.  I'm Michael Helwig, and this is how adoption changed me.