[vrsfl]

I was at St. Andre's Home in 1971. Nov to Feb 1972. any one else? I found my son, but THEY did not help me. I would like to hear from others that can talk about it. I had a friend named Sally , that I would like to contact. We were good friends at the time and I have thought of her many times. I would like to hear from her. I had no options at the time I relinquished my son, and was not permitted to see him, I had just turned 15 one month before he was born, it was a very traumatic time to be so alone. I went back to St. Andre's 21 years later, .....I sat in the car for 2 hours just looking at the institution before I could get the nerve up to go in the door to ask if they could help me. I had the fear that my legs would not hold me while walking to the side door, (us girls were not permitted to use the front door) I was not aware that it is now a home for the elderly and thought it still had young girls in there. They directed me to where the records were kept, at another site. It was EXTREMELY emotional being there, I honestly dont know how I went there alone. I was directed to a different place as they no longer kept the records there, it was a home for the elderly. I went there immediately , it was on Elm Street, a woman quickly met me at the door and ushered me into a room in the back of the place, then a nun came to ask what I needed. I became emotional as soon as I told her why I was there. She was sweet, (as they usually are). She took my address and promised to get back to me as soon as she could locate my records. They were trying to get this emotional woman out of the office quickly, as there was an adoption going on on the 2nd floor. Of course they wouldn't want an adoptive couple seeing what WILL happen in the years to come, when their birthmother comes to find her baby. They did find my record.... THERE WAS NOTHING TO TELL...( in their notes it said valerie was a sweet shy girl that came to us, she became as one with the other girls in time) .as for her baby ... a social worker came to pick up the baby and we have no further information. So needless to say I was at a loss. I was there 4 months. and 2 of those months were in isolation due to hypertension. Yea it sure was a time. They were nice to me but I had NO counseling on what I was doing and was forbidden by my family to ask any questions. Just deal with it. It is sad to think what they really thought of us, and the lack of knowledge they had to help us get through it.
I have since found my son and he is a wonderful handsom young man, I have only met once since 4-24-1994. But I know he is alive and happy. and thats what was important to me. Anyone with a St. Andre's experience, please write. Sally if you are out there and see this, I never forgot you. God be with all of you searching as it is a journey, don't give up, the freedom is in it.