There are nearly 150 million orphans worldwide each year.

According to the agency, Center For Adoption, “Every day, an estimated 5,700 more children become orphans.”

Though these numbers might seem high, children are adopted out by families every year and are given a place to call home.

However, it’s not always a fairytale ending for some of the children. They can face challenges later in life due to the fact that they’re adopted.

Sophomore Addisyn Smith has 20 siblings, three of whom are biological. The rest of her siblings are adopted, including herself. They are all adopted from different countries and all suffer from a genetic disorder.

Smith tells her story of being adopted and what it’s been like for her personally.

“I was adopted from Nanjing, China when I was seven years old. I don’t know my biological parents but even though my adoptive parents are the only parents I’ve ever had, it’s still a little strange. Especially when some people ask about me and my family all being adopted. Being adopted, though, has made me see life as a blessing and I am so grateful for it,” Addisyn said.

It’s rare for adopted children to find their biological parents. It’s especially hard when they’re from a foreign country. In a lot of cases, the parents are ashamed of the fact they had to abandon their child.

The movie, Instant Family, follows three siblings who are adopted by a couple that can’t conceive kids. The movie showcases different issues relating to adoption, but in the end, the children are grateful to be adopted into a loving family. This movie is an example of the many hardships of adoption.

“Being adopted has made me more aware of the love that parents have to have for their children,” said junior Jasmine Cofield.

Cofield added that she barely sees her parent’s biological children because of their age difference, and the pandemic makes it especially difficult this year.

A family who adopts will most likely also have biological children.

Jiliyn Boles, a junior at Discovery Canyon High School, describes what it’s like to be brought into a family that has biological children.

“When I was younger it didn’t dawn on me that we weren’t related. It was when I got older that I started to notice a difference. We of course look nothing alike, but it’s a little weird because it feels like my parents would love Jaden [her brother] more. That’s not the case though, they love us both equally,” said Boles.

The reality of being adopted comes with some challenges in life. Being adopted, though, doesn’t mean they’re not family. Family isn’t defined by just blood, anymore, but is defined by the love, commitment, and support one gives to another.