Who would have guessed that a newborn baby abandoned at birth, who failed to thrive with her adoptive parents, who suffered attachment, learning, and sensory disorders, and whose birth mother wanted to abort her, would end up thriving?

Author and speaker, Sherrie Eldridge, was placed into the arms of loving adoptive parents, Retha and Mike Cook, by her adoptive grandmother, Leah Cook, a social worker. Leah also operated the “County Home” and Eldridge’s childhood friends were the abandoned children who found refuge there. Precious lessons learned at that orphanage set the stage for Eldridge’s life work.

When expecting her first daughter, Eldridge wanted to find her birth mother but concerned family members warned her not to search. Due to loyalty to her parents, she postponed active searching until after their deaths. Eldridge found her birth mother and a fairytale reunion quickly ended in rejection. This became a defining moment for Eldridge where she learned that she could grow from pain and that it could be redeemed to help others.

Later, Dave Clark, her birth Uncle, found Eldridge, reunited her with other birth relatives, and revealed amazing family history—a grandfather and great grandfather who were Coast Guard lighthouse keepers on the Great Lakes of Michigan from the 1850’s to the 1950’s!

From these rich life experiences and more than fifteen years of writing and speaking, researching, founding an award-winning, non-profit educational adoption organization (Jewel Among Jewels Adoption Network, Inc.). Eldridge offers wisdom and insight to fellow adopted people of all ages, parents, and professionals around the globe, in various venues.

View Sherrie's One Sheet

Her mission is to help adoptive parents deepen their relationship with their children. Eldridge helps parents to see the adopted child’s perspective and unspoken needs. One adoptive parent said she had a beautiful heart because she had the courage to tell him the truth about what his daughter may experience as she matures.

Twenty Thing Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew, her first book, is required reading for parents by many adoption agencies. Questions Adoptees Are Asking provides a Biblical resource for post-adoptive growth. Forever Fingerprints: An Amazing Discovery for Adopted Children provides a tool for parents to talk about the sensitive topic of the child’s birth parents, removing adoptive parent fear and helping them nurture healthy identity in their children. 20 Things Adoptive Parents Need to Succeed, the companion book to the first 20 Things, gives much-needed encouragement to adoptive parents and helps them offer their best to their children in practical, life-impacting ways.

After six decades of life as an adopted person, Sherrie Eldridge is amazed at the incredible life she’s been given. She’s grateful that her life wasn’t aborted and realizes that she was adopted for a purpose much higher than she’ll ever understand.

She lives in Indiana with her husband of 44 years, Bob Eldridge and enjoys spending time with their two married daughters, sons-in-laws, and six grandchildren.

What Others Are Saying About Sherrie

"I worked on a children's book with Sherrie (Forever Fingerprints: An Amazing Discover for Adopted Children, EMK Press, 2007). Her unfailing desire to help educate adoptive parents and connect with adoptees of all ages is amazing. Sherrie has been tremendous to work with and has become a friend and mentor in the process."

Carrie Kitze, Publisher
EMK Press

"Sherrie is one of the most insightful experts in the adoption field today! She has given our staff here in the Parker Birth Place the education needed to create a healing framework which benefits all of our families! Sherrie has knowledge that validates and encourages all parties involved in adoption and presents it in a way that is non-threatening and authentic!"

Rebecca Vahle, Adoption Liaison
Parker Adventist Hospital, Denver, CO

"Without a doubt Sherrie has the gift of teaching and the ability to make God's Word come alive. She takes the profound truths of Scripture and makes them understandable and relevant for all people, as well as encouraging the audience towards action. Her teaching and mentoring has so influenced my life that twenty plus years after serving with her I can still remember the truths I first learned through her."

Bev Steel, Superintendent
Children's Ministry
Evangelical Free Church-Midland, MI

"Sherrie is a passionate educator and advocate for individuals and families who have been touched by adoption. Her tireless efforts to inspire other adoptees by sharing her own personal journey illustrates her strong Christian faith and extraordinary character. We need more voices like Sherrie's to join in the effort to spread awareness for the uniquely complicated emotions and relationships embodied in the adoption triad."

Brian Blackburn, Annual Funds Manager
Indianapolis Children's Museum

"Sherrie is committed her life to empowering and supporting those in transition of adopting. Her integrity and commitment to her cause is of the highest professional quality."

Pastor John C. Samples
East 91st Street Christian Church, Indianapolis