English Synopsis:

Torrey’s Story (Hong Kong: Restoration House, 2020) draws on Ryan’s real-life experiences raising five (!!!) children through fostering and adoption. Ryan is a Hong Kong social worker, a senior consultant for local charity Mother’s Choice, and co-founded Adoptive Families of Hong Kong (AFHK).

Raised by Christian missionaries in Taiwan, where she used to work at a local orphanage growing up, Ryan has lived in Hong Kong for 33 years. She describes Chinese as her first language. 

Her book deals with one of her sons, Torrey’s, special needs: “Torrey is just like you and me, except he has to work harder to learn and do everything.” Through his loving surrogate family, Torrey learns to overcome some of the fears and anxieties associated with cerebral palsy, discovering that bravery – like family – can take many forms.

Also joining me is Joey Ryan. Joey recounts a different set of difficulties : the trauma and emotional pain of coming to understand, aged 9, that he was adopted.  Though he was filled with rage at his abandonment,  Joey eventually learned to heal - helped by school, faith, friends, and the slow realisation that family is not a biological fact.

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Chinese Synopsis:

《Torrey’s Story》是Gretchen的真實故事，取材自她寄養和領養五(!!!)個孩子的點滴，而當中的精美插圖交由插畫師Kiet Van創作。Gretchen是一名 香港 #社工，在本地慈善團體 #母親的抉擇 任高級顧問，也是 #香港領養家庭 (Adoptive Families of Hong Kong (AFHK))的聯合創辦人。

Gretchen生於台灣，由傳教士撫養成人，長大後一直於孤兒院工作。她其後來港生活，至今33年。

《Torrey’s Story》關於她的兒子Torrey：「Torrey雖然有特殊需要，但與一般人無異，只是學習上和做所有事情都需要比別人付出多點。」Torrey從領養家庭給予的關愛中，學會不再因患有腦麻痺而焦慮惶恐，更慢慢發現到，勇氣──如同「家」一樣，原來有不只一種形式。

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