Abby is a transracial adoptee as a black adoptee adopted in 1971 by white parents. Her family was interested in adopting another Black child but that did not work out.

Her family were told by adoption agencies that a Black child would be the“Cheapest and Quickest “.

Abby started searching earnestly for her “truth” with her mother’s dementia,diagnosis.

Abby is also a Birth/First Mother and psychotherapist serving clients in the adoption constellation.

Abby spoke about the “ Real Truth” in Adoption dispels the Blank Slate ,Nurture over Nature that she heard in her family .

She speaks about her “ Dream Family” for her son placed in adoption.

The Truth Always Prevails and we need to Talk the Truth about the Trauma

Jenny grew up in a large family with over 80 cousins in Kentucky. Adoption and foster case touched her family through her father. She spoke about 2 grandfathers and 2 grandmothers on her father's side, as the adoption community experiences with adoptive and biological families.

As a teenage mother, Jenny was led to believe that open adoption was the BEST decision for her child's life. All Jenny ever wanted was THE absolute best for her baby. If that meant Jenny had to endure pain and sorrow, she believed it would be worth it.

Jenny was an athlete in college and experienced different racial cultures for the first time.

Jenny's story spoke of unique experiences upon leaving the hospital with her child and having the birthfather in her daughters life as well.

After 32 years, Jenny shares about the realities of open adoption and the many complexities that comes with. Blessings, pain and the realization that JENNY was always what was BEST for her daughter.

Shelley was very engaging as she talked about explored “it” with her “bestie” male friend. After three months, as a first-year student in college, she was overwhelmed to learn that she was pregnant. Her initial feelings were numbness, shock, and fear upon this life-changing news. We spoke about where she was, who she told first and all the specific details that birth/first moms experience as specific as time of day, what we are wearing, and the words remembered our entire life. Life stands still for a moment when moms receive this news.

Shelley received “immediate support “from all in her life. Shelley’s college professor played an integral role in her life and placement of her son. We spoke about how “support” could change the scenario from one choice to another.

Shelley’s reunion with her son was “Amazing “. The first hug with her son felt like ”Home”. The nature and nurture of adoption is “Powerful.

Sydney says she was a relative “ normal” kid whose family expected her to

behave at a certain standard because of her “ family influence” in her town .

Early in Sydney’s life, trauma and grief entered her life with the tragic loss

of her mother. . She then became the “ mother figure” to her younger

siblings.

Sydney became a mother without family support as other first/birth mothers

experienced. The “family decision “ of adoption was the next step.

Conversations or discussions about this ‘life-changing” decision were not

an option for Sydney .

Sydney’s journey in placement of her son was challenging . Sydney spoke

of being an “ A “ student in school and upon becoming a birthmother, her

life then was considered “ blemished.” We spoke about the stereotype

placed on birthmothers living a “broken life.” We spoke of this simply “ not

bring true “.

Sydney is a shining “voice” in the adoption constellation with her

professional work in public policy and advocacy on the current adoption

landscape.

Jeanne talked about her life growing up in Canada happily entertaining herself with her dolls. She talked about her anxiousness through her life facing fear and doubting herself.

Secrets and fearing sharing the truth were sometimes overwhelming.

Jeanne has broken through her fear to share her story for the first time.

DNA and Search Angels played a major role in Jeanne’s journey.

As all of us in the Adoption community know, “Reunions are Roller Coasters “.

"Karen faced her 'own' birth secrets that she strived to 'untangle'. This gave Karen a unique experience as an adoptee confronted with finding her original birth certificate (OBC). Karen was passionate about the 'Real Talk' of adoption laws from state to state. She shared her story with passion, peace, and purpose. Karen had a straightforward attitude about societal pressures placed on birth/first moms in the United States. The essence of her story is that childhood experiences profoundly impact one's entire life."

Denise’s journey started with her own adoption and her first glimpse into trauma. She grew up in the Mennonite community in Pennsylvania . Denise and Yvonne had some common memories to share .

Secrets were prevalent in the family. Denise talked about her experience as a Mennonite and the expectations and acceptance from her parents.

She spoke about looking for love and her identity.

Becoming a mom at an early age was traumatic and caused her to leap into independence. Denise’s journey was full of surprise connections. She talked about her heart’s desire.

Patience experienced as many, a childhood of challenges. Her family was separated in dramatic fashion. At the age of 16, patience learned of a maternity home through her mother’s church affiliation. Her journey to motherhood involved traveling to the home for birth mothers with strangers. Her experience , as she said was in many ways better than her home. Patience felt lost, still in love, and knew the trauma of her childhood that she strived to overcome.