Adoption stories are always touching.
Giving a child their forever home is a gift you can’t put a price tag on. But this story is more than just adopting children and welcoming them like a family. It also has a deeper backstory that led Barry Farmer to come up with this decision.
Barry was only 22 when he adopted Jackson in 2011.
Jackson was eight years old then and had been fostering under Barry for six months. Barry said that the young boy felt welcomed and comfortable with his family. They also bonded so much. But Barry thought something was missing.
Two years later, he decided to adopt a sibling for Jackson.
That’s when he found 11-year-old Xavier, who was a year older than Jackson at that time. The two easily clicked since they are around the same age. They thought they were already a complete family. Little did they know, their hearts were yearning for something more.
Then, 2016 took a turn for this family and welcomed another boy.
Then 4-year-old Jeremiah needed respite care, so Barry and his sons took him in and grew attached. Before adopting Jeremiah, he asked Jackson and Xavier if they were okay with having a sibling who is ten years younger.
The boys never thought twice and said ‘yes’ to adopting Jeremiah.
What was once a trio now became a party of four. Their house is then filled with so much love and joy, more than they could have imagined their lives would have.
Five years later, Barry has been raising three boys all on his own.
“It’s a lot of work. There are no days off, but I was up for the challenge, to begin with. I’m really not regretful of any moment with them,” Barry told Inside Edition.
But why did Barry never thought twice of this selfless act?
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Here revealed in an interview that he and his sisters were once raised in kinship care – it’s like being in a foster home but under the care of their closest kin. After they lost their parents, they moved from one relative to another.
When he reached four, he was under the care of his grandmother.
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He was provided with the best possible life that his grandma could give him. And since he couldn’t pay her back anymore, he thought of paying it forward.
Barry continues to advocate fostering and adoption.
He currently has a Nationally Syndicated Radio Show with Sharon Lizzy called ‘The Barry Farmer Morning Show,’ where he connects with the community and uses his platform to share success stories regarding foster care and adoption.
He also has a web series called ‘The Foster Care & Adoption Life Talk’ providing support to individuals and families considering applying to become foster parents or sign up for adoption. Through these, Barry can guide others out there to make the best decision for their future families.
He continues to encourage people to consider adoption and give children their forever home.
“If you’re willing to welcome a child into your home, that’s what’s important. We’re not talking about skin color. We’re not talking about gender or anything like that. We’re talking about human beings here who need homes,” he added.
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