Cole Hamels Struggles with African Adoption

Just like Madonna, Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels has learned how hard it is to adopt a child from Malawi. Cole and his wife, Survivor’s Heidi Strobel, had hoped to adopt from the African nation but found the residency requirement too difficult.

“There is no way we could live over there for two years,” Cole told the Philadelphia Inquirer.

“It shouldn’t be so hard to try to give someone a better life. The government in that country, it’s shady.”

But Cole and Heidi haven’t given up on their dreams of adoption. They’ve now turned their attention to Ethiopia.

“We’re working through a stack of paperwork this thick,” Cole said, indicating a width of several inches. But he’s sure all the hard work will be worth it when they’re holding their child.

“This is something we’ve always wanted to do, to help someone less fortunate.”

Heidi and Cole were married in 2006. I wish them the best of luck in their adoption journey!