Hi- It is an encouragement for me to hear from another adoptee who celebrates their adoption!! I have navigated adoption circles and led support groups and been active on the internet in adoption. I know from personal experience that adoptees(as well as others touched by adoption) face loss and grief at some point in their journey. Adoptees struggle with not knowing their birth and adoption story and being separated, not knowing their medical, ethnic history or why they were placed for adoption. I encourage many to resolve and process their emotions from my online adoption group Adoptees Christian Fellowship , a yahoo club and also locally with my Chicagoland western suburbs adoption triad support group held monthly at my church in Wheaton, IL.
But what discourages me greatly is those who are touched by adoption, sometimes speak the loudest against adoption.(because of their personal experience) I know that the adoption system has greatly changed in recent decades to promote more openness, honestly and sensitivity to the needs of all those touched by adoption- adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents. Many from the past system are still hurting from abandonment issues, some being forced to make an adoption plan, not receiving encouragement or counseling regarding their adoption. Many have still not healed and promote a bad name for adoption. Many paint adoption still today as a negative choice. I whole heartedly feel that the birth parents who are able to keep their children after a crisis pregnancy with family support and outside resources should truly not look into adoption. But for many other cases where this support is not a reality, Adoption is a beautiful option for babies and children without parents. And a wonderful plan to help infertile couples form families and also for families desiring to reach out to a child without family.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful adoption journey and those adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents whose lives have been touched by adoption in a beautiful way need to publically share their blessings.(And those who have healed from the past and recognize that adoption is a good thing for cases where birth parents cannot parent due to various circumstances.) We can truly have an impact to share with a misinformed world, the beauty for many of adoption. And let young people know that a crisis pregnancy, though extremely challenging, is not a death sentence. There is help , and there are many resources today that help persons make an informed and personal choice- a choice for LIFE, to parent the child with many supports in place, or make an adoption plan.
Blessings, Jody Moreen,
adoption@wideopenwest.com
Editor, Adoption Blessings Journal