Richie was 13 and living at what was the called the Arizona Children's Home when 50-year-old Axel showed up with an interest in becoming --- for the first time --- a dad.

"They introduced me to Richie and told him I was thinking about being a father and Richie agreed to show me the ropes," laughs Axel.  They were some pretty tough ropes, but eventually the two bonded and after several difficult "getting-to-know-you" weekends, Richie asked Axel if he would adopt him.

It wasn't easy for Richie to learn to trust that Axel would be a true father.

Richie was born to a woman who was too young and too poor to take care of him.  He eventually went to live with his grandmother, who then fell ill and, when Richie was two, turned him over to Child Protective Services.

Shuffled from one foster home to another, Richie was finally adopted by a family.  Sadly, his adoptive father died prematurely, and it was back into the system for Richie. His newly widowed adoptive mother told him she was taking him to the doctor; instead, she turned him back to CPS.

His next "home" was a psychiatric hospital, and then on to Arizona Children's Association, where he frequently ran away and tested authority figures.  He was 13 when he met Axel, and the two clicked.

"It's definitely the best thing I've ever done," says Axel.  "I'm not saying it was all easy, but I feel so strongly about this experience that I'm ready to do it again."

Axel Hold appreciates the fact that most adoptive parents are seeking a baby, but he's convinced that all kids need a chance at family happiness, too.  And he wants to help.

Adapted from Tucson Lifestyle
December 1998
Portrait Photos by David Fox