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Trumbull court finalizes adoptions
By Ed Runyan
WARREN
Patricia Fink of Hubbard has taken an unusual route to being mother to three active little boys.
Thursday, when she formally adopted Mitchell during a ceremony at the Trumbull County Courthouse, it marked the third time she’s adopted a child through Trumbull County Children Services. Each boy was 21/2 at the time of his adoption.
Fink, who is single, works as an occupational therapist. She says each addition to her family has made her life better.
She’s been foster parent to Mitchell since he was a few months old, so she’s had a couple of years already to grow into her role.
“Everybody says the boys are so lucky to have you, but I feel the other way around. They give you so much more than you could ever give them,” she said.
Mitchell was among several little boys participating in Thursday’s adoption ceremony who took full advantage of the large courtroom on the third floor of the courthouse, the largest one in Ohio, to stretch their legs.
Mitchell shows signs of being a future track star. He zoomed around the room with endless energy and the full blessing of Judge Thomas A. Swift of Trumbull County Probate Court, who presided over the ceremony.
Mary Rauch, a co-worker and friend of Fink’s, calls Fink “amazing” because of her career, her black belt in karate, her artistic talents and her love for her boys.
“She’s allowed those boys to blossom and be ready to learn,” she said. The older boys are Nick, 5, and Jimmy, 7.
Becky Peters, an adoption worker at CSB, said Fink has taken the boys on numerous trips and park outings and fills her home with educational games for them.
Peters said she’s known Fink since Fink first became licensed as a foster parent in 2002, and Fink is “very in tune” with what the boys need. She’s very patient, which is important with three rambunctious boys, Peters said. Fink has a large extended family of relatives and friends to assist her.
“It’s a very hard job, but it’s the best job you’ll ever have,” Fink said of parenting.
Paul Hrabowy and his wife, Cody, of North Bloomfield, adopted two children Thursday after serving as their foster parents almost continuously since their births.
Simon, 3, and Hannah, 18 months, are biologically brother and sister.
The Hrabowys have wanted children for years but were unable to, so having the opportunity to serve as foster parents and now parents has been a real blessing, said Paul’s sister, Betsy Dorsey.
“They waited a long time for these kids. It’s good for them. I think it will keep them young,” Dorsey said.
Paul Hrabowy said he takes it as a sign from God that he was meant to be father to these two children when he survived an accident at work in a Warren factory in April that most people would not have survived.
“I was hit in the chest with 8,000 pounds, which broke my back. I wasn’t supposed to live until morning,” Hrabowy said. “I’ve had numerous doctors tell me I’m lucky to be alive.”
The accident happened a couple of weeks before Paul and Cody learned that they were going to be allowed to adopt Simon and Hannah.
“I believe I was saved so I could raise these kids,” Paul said.
“I’m thankful he’s still here. I couldn’t do it without him,” Cody said.