[sandyLAusa]

Hi to all. I'm new to this forum, and want to say what a joy and privilege it is to read your stories here.

I am a children's television producer - I've produced shows for and about kids for PBS and Disney Channel for twenty years. Right now I'm doing research for a new series on open adoptions. Before the first camera rolls, we want to talk to birthparents and adoptive parents to hear real stories, to make sure we treat the subject with the respect and understanding it deserves.

I'd like to ask members of this forum if anyone would be interested in sharing their experience with me, either by email or by telephone. It would be just for background, and would not be used in the actual show, so your privacy would be fully respected, and protected!

Thank you so much for considering my invitation, and for the inspiration you've given to others.

Sandy

[mommymarz]

Dear Sandy,
I can offer you no information for your research on open adoption since both my children have closed adoption by their birthparent's choice. I can tell you that it is extremely difficult to be on the other side of the open/closed adoption situation. My oldest has some emotional problems and with a closed adoption and no family history or contact we had no way to tell the psychologist if this was something that ran in the family. We think about our girls birthparents often and wish they were able to share themselves with their birthchildren. We hope that some day they will contact us and meet.
Best of luck in your production but don't forget those of us who have closed doors at our backs.
Mary

[stacyone]

I'm an amom in a fully open adoption and would be more than happy to share. Send me a private message and I'll give you my contact info. In fact, if you like, I can contact my daughter's bmom to see if she'd be willing to talk to you, too!

[May]

I'm a bmom in a semi-open adoption, and if you want more info on my experience, pm me. I'd be willing to e-mail or talk on the phone.

[Bogie]

If you're still looking, I'm an a-mom in a very open adoption with a birth mom who has special needs. Feel free to PM me if you would like my contact info.

Heather

[GinnyBinny]

hi I am a birthmom in an open adoption. I would be happy to share my story with you. Private message me if you would like.
-Ginny

[jadensbmom]

Hi there. I'm a 33 year old woman. I gave birth to my son, Jaden on April 29, 2004. Three weeks ago. He was placed with his adoptive family when he was 5 days old (our county required 72 hours for placement and that fell on a Saturday when the courts were closed). I parent my 5 year old daughter, and she was very informed and involved in Jaden's adoption plan. I met the adoptive family when I was 5 months pregnant and we worked very closely together during my pregnancy to make a good open-adoption plan.

The have a 1 year old daughter that is in an open-adoption from Kansas. They seem to have a wonderful relationship with their daughters bfamily, but since they are out-of-state I wondered if the relationship would be as smooth, since we're only 25 miles away.

I am also currently expressing breastmilk and providing it to the afamily for Jaden's feedings. He seems to be fairly sensitive to formula and so the breastmilk is tolerated better, as well as the other known benefits.

I would be happy to share my information with you for your project. Please feel free to contact me if needed. Good luck on your project and please share it's release information with us.

China
bmom to Jaden (042904)
mom to Medea (123098)

[lorelei2003]

Sandy, I am a bmom with a semi-open adoption. My son is about to turn 15 and since 1989 I have received letters and photos from the aparents. I would be happy to share my experiences with you. You can email me @lorelei2003@houston.rr.com.

[ncdean]

I am an amom in a semi-open adoption. My son just turned one. You can email me at ncdean2@yahoo.com.

[sandyLAusa]

Thanks so much for all your offers to share your stories! We've collected a lot of great insight and information, as well as made some good friends.

We've been asked to put the project on hold for now, after all the press response to Barbara Walter's special on open adoption. It's a shame, as I'd love to do our version, to help set the record straight, and show people what's really involved, but TV networks can be very cautious at times, so I'll try to be patient....

I'll let you all know when we start up again!

Sandy

[lorelei2003]

Sandy, I did not see the Barbara Walter's special but I almost bet it wasn't very appealing to young mothers considering adoption. In my case, I wanted what was best for both my child and me, that is why I went the way of adoption. I know in my heart I made the right decision for the both of us. I do miss him a great deal but the fact is, he was adopted into a loving, christian, well off family so I know he is getting the best a child could have. I hope you will get the opportunity to get the record straight where it concerns adoption because I feel it is important for young mothers and fathers to know the options and some of the benefits of those options.

Have a good evening.