TO: President Barack Obama
First Lady Michelle Obama
Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius
RE: Adoption Practices
FROM: The Adoption Community:
62 Adoptees, 61 first/natural/ birth mothers and fathers, 18 adoptive parents and 8 others touched by adoption.
Despite the Haitian moratorium on the post quake rush to adopt its children, we must continue to protect the Haitian - and all - children from being labeled "orphans" because they are housed in orphanages and then being snatched for adoption by predatory groups, no matter how well-intentioned.
We need to use this time to reflect on the course of future adoption practices. Those of us whose lives have been irrevocably shaped by adoption ask you to listen to our voices and painfully gained wisdom.
Adoption can provide a caring and safe home, but must always put the best interests of children first. Adoption should always be about finding homes for orphans and children who have no family members able and willing to provide safe care. Unfortunately it has become more focused on finding babies or children to fill a demand of those able to pay high fees to obtain a child. Adoption is a multi-billion dollar industry, globally as well as a domestically.
Note some who have signed this letter are from outside the U.S. The world is watching U.S. adoption policy.
FOR THE SAKE OF THE CHILDREN:
- We beseech lawmakers to not be influenced by lobbyists for the multi-billion-dollar adoption industry or by the religiously based organizations and agencies, no matter how well-intentioned, who wish to use the redistribution of children for financial gain or to recruit members of their faith. Follow the advice of child welfare experts and NGOs with no motivation other than what is truly best for children.
- We call for an end to federal programs that promote and encourage adoption, e.g. tax credits. Children in foster care are being used as pawns to get such laws enacted and renewed and then be left behind while prospective parents use tax credits to adopt from elsewhere.
- We encourage the formation of a federal department of Family Preservation that would allocate funds to help families in temporary crisis, whether financial or otherwise, receive the assistance they need to remain intact. Programs such as in-home care have proven highly successful and more cost effective than foster care removals which put children into high risk situations.
- We seek federal protection of the constitutional right to parent one's own children that are currently being violated by state laws such as Putative Father Registries.
- We insist on restoration of the rights of all adopted persons in regard to the discrimination they face in accessing their own birth certificate. We demand that the Federal government prevent states from issuing falsified birth certificates that state that adopted children are born to their adoptive parents, and that often change not just their names but their date and place of birth. This is state committed fraud and violates the basic right of every human to their identity. Note that
1. Mirah Riben, South Brunswick, NJ 08852. Mother who lost a child to adoption in NY in 1968 because I was told it would be in my child's best interest - not that my child would be forever denied her human rights and that I would be forever refused copies of anything I signed.
2. Gaye Tannenbaum, Adoptee born 1953 reunited 2009, currently residing in Piriápolis, Uruguay
3. Caroline Collins, adult adoptee currently living in Texas
4. Aileen Brown, Mother that lost her baby to the adoption industry at 16 years old and ignorant of the effects adoption would do to herself and lost child, who would like to prevent it from happening to other families, Wisconsin
5. Rosalind Maya Lama, Mother. Lost a child to the foster care and adoption industry in New York
currently reside in California
6. Cathi Robinson, Natural Mother, Missouri
7. Roe Ruggerio Callahan, Philadelphia, PA. 66 year old adoptee, final adoption took place June 1947. Proceedings took place at the BUrlington County Court House, Mount Holly, NJ. Philadelphia born.
8. Amanda Woolston, Tennessee Adoptee residing in Pennsylvania
9. Bonnie Taylor, WV. Adoptee. Birthname (Teresa Elaine McKinsey) Born in York PA, adopted in Baltimore, MD Found birthfather (Gary Lee McKinsey-deceased), still searching for birthmother (Juanita Carson-McKinsey-Dunkelbarger-?Brashear).
10. Hannah Hope, natural mother, Essex, UK
11. Amy L. Loring - Lima, NY - Natural Mother
12. Celeste Billhartz, adoptee, Ohio
13. Samantha Franklin, Reunited Adult Adoptee, Oklahoma
14. Janet Sousa, adoptee and search angel. Owner of The Eyes Wide Open Registry, an online Emergency Medical Locators for Adoptee's registry - Tampa, FL
15. Robert Wilson Harrington McCullough Haight, adopted person, Missouri, still denied access to his Original Birth Certificate
16. Lorraine Dusky, reunited natural mother in New York
17. Sandy Blais, Adoptee - Canada - please it is time to stop repeating the mistakes of the past that we should have already learned from.
18. Susan Gill, reunited natural mother, Nebraska
19. Laurie Staley, Michigan adoptee, adoptive mom
20. Alyce M. Jenkins, adoptive mother and adoptive/family rights advocate , NJ
21. Mari Steed, Intercountry adopted adult (Ireland, reunited); Birthmother, Pennsylvania sealed-records system (reunited)
22. Rupert Wolfe Murray, ACT, adoptee, Against Child Trafficking, Romania
23. Dana Lowrey, adopted person, mother to a son lost to adoption, Reunited with all family members, Roseville California
24. Theresa Hood, Pennsylvania-born adoptee residing in New York, denied access to my original birth certificate
25. Barbara Pasternak, CT. I'm a Mother who had no choice when I lost my son to adoption 50 years ago. An adoptee is not, should not, be a commodity.
26. Bonnie Parmelee, mother to a son relinquished in late 80's, happily reunited. NY
27. Julie Kelly (reunited adult adoptee) Vancouver WA
28. Lori Trevino, reunited natural mother, Marshfield, Wisconsin
29. Ibbaanika Bond, a natural mother of a child on which an adoption was unsuccessfully attempted.
Kansas City, Mo.
30. Joan M Wheeler, birthname Doris M Sippel, New York Adoptee reunited 36 years, I’m a half orphan, but sealed and amended birth certificate laws are meant to hide illegitimacy. I did not need to be “legitimized” by adoption. I needed to be raised with full knowledge of, and socialization with, my siblings, and father. Guardianship, not adoption; Family Preservation, not family separation.
31. Mara Rigge, Trinidad, California, Adoptee, Reunited With Natural Mother.
32. Karen Lehner Dawber, First mom to Chris lost to illegal coerced adoption in April, 1970 in Wichita, KS. Also mom to Aaron and Brian Lawrence, KS
33. Reese V. Jenkins. Adoptive father of two adult children and advocate for family rights and for adoptees' right to know names and background of natural mother and father. NJ.
34. Karen Belanger, 08/24/59 Springfield, MO, adoptee still denied access to her original birth certificate from Missouri! Currently in Dallas, TX
35. Triona Guidry, Adult adoptee, Chicago, Illinois. Please support family preservation and the restoration of adult adoptee identities.
36. Vanessa Mary Pearce, I am an adoptee stolen from my home country India for the purpose of adoption.I live in British Columbia, Canada
37. Andrea Kelley, Kansas City, MO, adoptive mom.
38. Gina Maniscalco, reunited adult adoptee, NC
39. Amy Klatzkin, San Francisco, adoptive mother
40. Kate Reinke, adoptee, Melbourne, Australia
41. Laura A. Beall, Mother, lost son to adoption, Oakton, VA 22124
42. Nancy Peuraharju - natural mother (Arkansas), search angel and co-owner of Emergency Medical Locators for Adoptees
43. Sheila Ganz, first mother, documentary filmmaker, San Francisco, California
44. Susan Schnirring, mother of twin sons taken by coercion in 1968. Wood River, IL
45. Mary Kathleen Trumm, natural mother to my son, Andrew, lost to the manipulative, unprotected industry of adoption in 1976, author of "The Andrew Rights" Legislation in 1992, presented to the Florida Senate Judiciary Committee, Nov. 4, 1993, given to Hillary Clinton.
46. Kim Eun Mi Young, Korean adoptee, San Antonio, TX
47. Denise Roessle, natural mother to a son relinquished in California, 1970, resident of Arizona
48. Msgr. John W. Sweeley, Th.D., Adoptee; Adoptive Father of Three Adopted Sons, Life Member: Bastard Nation; The Adoptee Rights Organization
49. June Taglianetti, MILLSTONE, N.J. 08510. I totally agree and i am a birthmother.
50. Denise Schnelle, Original Mother Reunited with her Adult Son. Los Angeles CA
51. Carla Marie Rupp, Mother. New York, NY 10013. I agree with the letter in full.
52, Carla Moquin, Mother of a daughter adopted through fraud, Salt Lake City, Utah
53. Teresa Triplett, reunited natural mother in Downers Grove, Illinois
54. David Kruchkow, Adoptive Parent, Florida
55. Daniel Harris, adoptee living in Brighton, MI, Born in Detroit MI 1962, searching for the truth of my birth. I don't seek to disrupt, only seek the TRUTH
56. Cheryl Horning, Adoptee, separated from birth family at 9 months in 1958. Reunited 2009. Greenwich, N.Y. 12834
57. Elizabeth Dudley, Virginia, USA, Reunited 48 year old Adult Adoptee and faithful Adult Voter, Business owner, Wife of 25 years and Mom to two children in college, and another illegitimate CHILD who is still kept from her Original Birth Record and Original Family by the antique laws of the state of WV.
58. Roberta B Beavers: Mother. First born son conceived in rape (NJ) in 1965, lost to adoption (WA) in 1966, happily reunited in 1996. Co-authored the 2007 Maine adoptee human rights law (access to original birth certificates). I have live in Maine since 2001.
59. Stephanie Kim, Mother who needlessly lost daughter to adoption, Austin, TX
60. Joan DeGroot, birthmother, met daughter at age 26 after the adoptive parents had refused contact with her at age 19, Spokane WA.
61. Yvonne Johnson: Grandmother who lost grandson to a so called open-adoption...We have never seen him. GA
62. Mary Provance-Garvens, Mother of one child lost to a coerced adoption, mother of three raised children, Waukesha, Wisconsin 53188
63. Kathy Taylor, Duluth, GA 30097 Adult Missouri-born adoptee residing in Georgia, denied access to my original birth certificate and the identities of my birth mother and birth father.
64. Cyn Bird, Florida black market adoptee, Emerson, NJ. Please support access to open records; adoptees should not be discriminated against; everyone has a right to know their identity.
65. Jamie Richards, adoptee from Missouri
66. Cat Clark - Millersburg, Ohio adoptee, denied original birth certificate.
67. Priscilla Sharp, First mother ’64, AZ, reunited ‘86. Now search angel/adoptee rights advocate
68. Jamieson Scott, NYC NY 10003. I am a birth mother in reunion with the son I lost to adoption.
69. Laurie Chatman, Portland, Ore. Reunited birthmother. I agree with the letter
70. Elizbeth Porter. Mother reunited with two grown children who searched and found me in 2006. Hampton, Virginia
71. Karen Ciandella, mother who lost her twins to adoption in 1973. Signing on behalf of them and my grandchildren who may never know me.
72. Joe Soll, Adoptee, psychotherapist, author, Congers, New York
73. Jennifer Cox adoptive mother to 3 young children from Korea now living in Ballston Spa, NY and I believe that adoptees need to have their rights reinstated to have access to their original birth certificates and for First Moms to not be coerced into losing their children no matter where in the world they are living
74. Cully Ray, NV, Adoptee, Adoption Reform Advocate
75. Kimberly Correa, adoptee, Springfield, IL
76. Harry Kuhn, MSW, Edsion, NJ, paternal grand-uncle to grand-niece in WI open adoption but closed-off from any contact by adoptive parents.
77. Sarah Wrather, Canal Winchester, Ohio. Adoptee, Reunited with my birth family in 2008
78. Patricia Holman, Adoptee, 1972, Elizabeth, New Jersey
79. Sylvia Ackerson, Reunited BirthMom, Boiling Springs, NC. Adoptees deserve the sme tights as a person who is not adopted!
80. James Mandenberg, Traverse City MI, A Michigan adoptee denied a copy of my own original birth certificate.
81. Annette Baran, MSW, author, noted adoption expert, Santa Monica CA
82. Susan Webb. Reunited adoptee, Upstate Ny who was given bogus nonid information and told in writing I had no right to my birth info. Through Mutual search on numerous registries online I found my birth family and it was confirmed by DNA test (although I was told in writing that my birth mom was dead etc). Facts on my birth certificate were changed (not just left out). For 40 years I had no medical history to share with my doctors or my own 5 children.
83. Velia Calcara, wife of an adoptee, l live in Missouri. It makes me feel so bad that adoptees in this country do not have their basic civil right of identity.
84. Hanne Andersen, Vancouver, BC, Canada Mother who was coerced and lost her only child to adoption. Reunited since 2006.
85. Maureen L. Roy, Adoptee, Marlborough, MA 01752
86. Stephanie Curtis, reunited natural mother in California
87. Mary A. Cook, Adoptee age 63, denied access to my original birth certificate by New York State.I currently live in Melbourne, Florida.
88. Carole Whitehead, reunited natural//first/birth mother, Plainview, NY
89. Jacquetta Page, trans-racially adopted adult Indigenous Native/African American, Mishawaka, IN. Support what is just and true for all children!
90. Kate Dahlquist, Foster-Adoptive Sister and First Mother. Please stop the adoption lies. Unethical adoption hurts families. The ripple effect of adoption is deep and wide throughout our society please educate our communities about adoption truth!
91. Laura Barnes-Marsden Washington State adoptee, and mother to a son lost to adoption. I want my original birth certificate. I currently live in British Columbia, Canada.
92. Marsha Roberts - reunited adoptee and adoptive mother in Houston, TX
93. Carol Barbieri, Adoptee, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716
94. Connie Hawkins, natural mother, Larwill, Indiana
95. Amy Luettgen, Wisconsin Adoptee - birth mother refused access to original birth certificate and medical information
96. Joy, Former Prospective Adoptive Parent who believes that children should stay with their natural families unless it's not possible, and if children must be raised away from their families, it should be with people in their own land, who understand their culture and language, and can reflect their physical characteristics. Oregon.
97, Elizabeth Case - Adoptive Mother to a boy from Bulgaria. Walden, New York
98. Catherine Wagner-NS, Canada, adoptive mother and volunteer with Against Child Trafficking (ACT)
99. Mary Schmit, Pompano Beach, FL. Birthmother of daughter born 1968 in Milwaukee, WI
Reunited in 1998 and currently in a strong relationship. Biology is crucial to a person's development. Unscrupulous adoption destroys people.
100. Peg Livingston, Tulsa, OK. first mother who gave up 2 sons. I have been reunited with them, but want to make the lie about being promised confidentiality GO AWAY. first mother who gave up 2 sons. I have been reunited with them, but want to make the lie about being promised confidentiality GO AWAY.
101. Daniel Case, Walden, NY. Adoptive father.
102. Linda Orozco, Sacramento CA - Birthmother to my first child born 1967. Relinquishment based on intimidation, lies and no resources for a single mom in 67. I was never promised confidentiality
103. Desiree Smolin, Alabama, adoptive parent to a sibling group of two older girls from India, stolen from their first parents and sold for $$$ in international adoption without their parents' consent.
104. Pamela Veazie, adoptive mom, Carmel, Indiana
105. Karen Moline, adoptive mother, New York, NY
106. David Kohler, adoptee. Indianapolis, IN.
107. Christina Worthington, Reunited Adoptee, Leominster, Massachusetts
108. Margie Perscheid, Adoptive parent, Alexandria, VA
109. Kim DeCrow, Mother. in 1977, at age 17 I lost my only child to adoption. Was able to file with Tennessee courts requesting info on my adult child, I was notified he deceased in 2004. Memphis, TN
110. Eileen McCarthy, New York mother who was forced to surrender two sons in 1965 and 1967. I have never recovered from this violent separation.
111. Cheryl Chant, mother who lost a son to adoption in Ct., currently living in Fl.
112. Jennifer Yurfest, first mother 1969.Atlanta, GA
113. Margaret S LyBurtus, Bakersfield, Ca 93306. I am a mother who surrendered her child in 1966 in Michigan
114. John Stikeman, Phoenix, AZ, natural father who lost his child to adoption 44 years ago.
115. Jeff Hancock, Late-Discovery Adoptee, Avon, NY 14414
116. Janet Melbourne, First mother/ reunited, San Luis Obispo, CA
117. David Kelley, Adoptive father, Kansas City
118. Jodi McBride, adoptee, Olympia, WA
119. Dawn Young, Mother who lost a child to adoption 1965, UK, reunited 15 years can not replace what was lost though not fault our own. Couer d Alene, Idaho
120. Felicia Pirrone, birthmother, adoptive mother (of said birthchild) and plain ole mother. In Queensbury NY but the adoption occurred in Schenectady, NY. Her surrender was in Albany NY.
121. Shirley Murphy, adoptee - reunited but still suffering from the daily loss of knowing what it means to be part of a family. Boulder, Colorado.
122. Murray Legro 59 year old late discovery adoptee from Ballarat, Victoria Australia. Adoption affects everyone involved with lifetime consequences.
123. Linda Burns, San Antonio Birth Mother. Texas Cradle Society in San Antonio sent thousands of Anglo American children to Mexico, France, Spain for adoption without mother's knowledge. No one should lose their heritage unless there is no other way.
124. Scott Andersen, un-reunited adoptee, Tucson, AZ. I would love to be united with my natural mom, but in Texas (born and adopted there) I can get the Kennedy assassination files easier than my own birth records.
125. Kim Goudreau, Qc, Canada; adoptee. Reunited. I was adopted from Korea to Canada without my parents' consent through a so-called reputable agency in the USA.
126. Brandi Kersey, Murrells Inlet, S.C., Natural mother of an adoptee. I was pressured into it because of my age.
127. Alberta Sorensen, a very old adoptee! I now live in Walnut Creek, CA
128. Tracy Calmer, Adoptee, Santa Rosa, Ca. Reunited with natural parents for 17 years. Falsified birth certificate reflecting adoptive mother as giving birth to me. Denied access to my real birth certificate.
129. Cindy Wolfe Boynton, an adoptee from Milford, Connecticut, who believes that every state in the U.S. should allow adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates.
130. Abigail Lovett. New Hope, PA. I am an adult adoptee, who has searched and found birth family, served on the Joint State commission on adoption in PA; who went to the Clinton White House for National Adoption day; and who actively served on Adoption Forum of PA and the American Adoption Congress.
131. Sandra Elliott, Birthmother and Daughter of an Adoptee. Texas
132. Judith Scanlon, adult adoptee, Orleans MA. I live in a state that does grant adult adoptees born before 1974 access to their original birth certificates, but sadly I was born in NY, a state where I am still denied. I hope this helps to change this law nation-wide, so that we may all be equal, and allowed to have knowledge of our "roots".
133. Elma Stark, birth mother in search of daughter born 1948 and adopted out in NYC
134. Liberty Hultberg, adoptee, born in Illinois in 1981. In contact with both birth parents as well as foster parents.
135. Laurie Garland, natural mother, Liberty, Missouri
136. Mariette Henke: natural mother and reunited adoptee, Austin TX
137. Stephanie Van Loon, New York, New York. Natural mother who lost her son to a fraudulent "open adoption" that closed when my son was 7.
138. Vicki White, 64 year old adopted person, Santa Rosa, CA. 3 attempts to get my OBC from the Alameda County CA Court were all denied. My mother died 5 years before I searched for and found my birth family. I resent all the pain, time, and thousands of dollars I've spent to know my truth, which should be a birthright.
139. Marcus Baker. I'm a former caseworker in child protection services now a caseworker in a government welfare program and believe strongly in family preservation, especially for the Haitian children at this time as they are being treated like "Free Children." Boston, MA.
140. Kristine Bonagura, Kendall Park, NJ. I'm adopted and I found and my birth mother in 09/09 and I have 2 half sisters and three full cousins; they say I am family and I am fortunate enough to have 2 incredible families! Currently searching for my father.
141. Anne Elizabeth Britt, adoptee. Shreveport, Louisiana 71106
120. Felicia Pirrone, birthmother, adoptive mother (of said birthchild) and plain ole mother. In Queensbury NY but the adoption occurred in Schenectady, NY. Her surrender was in Albany NY.
121. Shirley Murphy, adoptee - reunited but still suffering from the daily loss of knowing what it means to be part of a family. Boulder, Colorado.
122. Murray Legro 59 year old late discovery adoptee from Ballarat, Victoria Australia. Adoption affects everyone involved with lifetime consequences.
123. Linda Burns, San Antonio Birth Mother. Texas Cradle Society in San Antonio sent thousands of Anglo American children to Mexico, France, Spain for adoption without mother's knowledge. No one should lose their heritage unless there is no other way.
124. Scott Andersen, un-reunited adoptee, Tucson, AZ. I would love to be united with my natural mom, but in Texas (born and adopted there) I can get the Kennedy assassination files easier than my own birth records.
125. Kim Goudreau, Qc, Canada; adoptee. Reunited. I was adopted from Korea to Canada without my parents' consent through a so-called reputable agency in the USA.
126. Brandi Kersey, Murrells Inlet, S.C., Natural mother of an adoptee. I was pressured into it because of my age.
127. Alberta Sorensen, a very old adoptee! I now live in Walnut Creek, CA
128. Tracy Calmer, Adoptee, Santa Rosa, Ca. Reunited with natural parents for 17 years. Falsified birth certificate reflecting adoptive mother as giving birth to me. Denied access to my real birth certificate.
129. Cindy Wolfe Boynton, an adoptee from Milford, Connecticut, who believes that every state in the U.S. should allow adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates.
130. Abigail Lovett. New Hope, PA. I am an adult adoptee, who has searched and found birth family, served on the Joint State commission on adoption in PA; who went to the Clinton White House for National Adoption day; and who actively served on Adoption Forum of PA and the American Adoption Congress.
131. Sandra Elliott, Birthmother and Daughter of an Adoptee. Texas
132. Judith Scanlon, adult adoptee, Orleans MA. I live in a state that does grant adult adoptees born before 1974 access to their original birth certificates, but sadly I was born in NY, a state where I am still denied. I hope this helps to change this law nation-wide, so that we may all be equal, and allowed to have knowledge of our "roots".
133. Elma Stark, birth mother in search of daughter born 1948 and adopted out in NYC
134. Liberty Hultberg, adoptee, born in Illinois in 1981. In contact with both birth parents as well as foster parents.
135. Laurie Garland, natural mother, Liberty, Missouri
136. Mariette Henke: natural mother and reunited adoptee, Austin TX
137. Stephanie Van Loon, New York, New York. Natural mother who lost her son to a fraudulent "open adoption" that closed when my son was 7.
138. Vicki White, 64 year old adopted person, Santa Rosa, CA. 3 attempts to get my OBC from the Alameda County CA Court were all denied. My mother died 5 years before I searched for and found my birth family. I resent all the pain, time, and thousands of dollars I've spent to know my truth, which should be a birthright.
139. Marcus Baker. I'm a former caseworker in child protection services now a caseworker in a government welfare program and believe strongly in family preservation, especially for the Haitian children at this time as they are being treated like "Free Children." Boston, MA.
140. Kristine Bonagura, Kendall Park, NJ. I'm adopted and I found and my birth mother in 09/09 and I have 2 half sisters and three full cousins; they say I am family and I am fortunate enough to have 2 incredible families! Currently searching for my father.
141. Anne Elizabeth Britt, adoptee. Shreveport, Louisiana 71106
UPDATE:
that took more than a year!
61 comments:
Great letter. Makes me cry to read in the hopes that someday it will be reality.
Peach - if you wish to sign, please send an email to email@AdvocatePublications.com
This is a great initiative and about time. I witnessed how the international adoption industry hoovered out of Romania over 10,000 children during the 1990s, all under the cover of loving families and "nice" NGOS, but all of whom disappeared. Adoptions from Romania was a free-for-all and the state has no records at all for those kids who were exported between 1990 and 1997 (10 to 20,000). This is how the industry works and it needs to be challenged.
Thanks, Rupert. May I add your signature, status and whereabouts?
Please add my signature ...
I am an adoptee and I abhor adopting ... especially infants and toddlers from mothers who want to keep them.
Celeste Billhartz, Ohio
Add my signature, of course:
Lorraine Dusky, reunited natural mother in New York
www.firstmotherforum.com
(No need to add blog)
Beautifully written letter -- I agree totally. Please change advise to advice in the first bulleted paragraph -- that's the English teacher in me coming out. Otherwise, it's perfect. I'll sign. Alyce M. Jenkins, adoptive mom
Please add my name with this:
Dana Lowrey
adopted person
mother to a son lost to adoption
Reunited with all family members
I sent the e-mail as well.
Thanks for the heads up. I'm glad to see some more fight against the Haiti child scoop. There's been a local couple that's made the news on several stations (I can't get away from it!!) that they were in the process of adopting a boy from Haiti prior to the earthquake, and were having to deal with all the red tape in place now. Naturally, there was enough media hype surrounding their story that they left for Florida the other day to kidnap/pick their son up. I'm avoiding the local news like the plague now, cause I REALLY don't want to see any follow up.
Please add my signature.
I'm a Mother who had no choice when I lost my son to adoption 50 years ago. An adoptee is not, should not, be a commodity.
Anonymous - need your name, connection to adoption and location.
Jamie Richards, adoptee from Missouri
Elizabeth Porter, Mother reunited with two grown children who searched and found me in 2006.
Elizabeth - need your location
Karen Ciandella, mother who lost her twins to adoption in 1973. Signing on behalf of them and my grandchildren who may never know me.
Joe Soll, Adoptee, psychotherapist, author, Congers, New York
I don't want to sound too corny...but the eails I am getting, the praise for this letter...and - unbelievably not one single letter ragging on me for it!!
The bringing together of people who have been at each other's throats on some aspects of adoption reform...is ALL very heartwarming. As many of you know "building bridges" by finding simple common ground has been a LONG standing goal of mine.
ALSO...be sure you also sign on doe change.org vote! We're doing great there!!!
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/return_adult_adoptees_the_right_to_
their_original_birth_certificates_2
WE C-A-N DO IT!!!
Reunited BMom. Adoptees deserve the same rights as a person who was not adopted!
Thank you, Sylvia. Need your locale: city & state.
Please add my name as well:
James Mandenberg
Traverse City MI
A Michigan adoptee denied a copy of my own original birth certificate.
Thank you.
Please add my signature as well..
Susan Webb
I'm a reunited adoptee from Upstate Ny who was given bogus nonid information and told in writing I had no right to my birth info. Through Mutual search on numerous registries online I found my birth family and it was confirmed by DNA test (although I was told in writing that my birth mom was dead etc) Facts on my birth certificate were changed (not just left out) For 40 years I had no medical history to share with my doctors or my own 5 children.
Stephanie Curtis,reunited natural mother in California
Please read these notes. I can tell you they are just the tip of an iceberg of pain and heartbreak for adoptees and their mothers who were usually coerced into signing papers.
thank you.
Please add my signature:
Kate Dahlquist, Foster-Adoptive Sister & First Mother
Please stop the adoption lies. Unethical adoption hurts families. The ripple effect of adoption is deep and wide throughout our society please educate our communities about adoption truth!
Laura Barnes-Marsden Washington State adoptee, and a mother to a son lost to adoption. I want my original birth certificate.
I currently live in British Columbia, Canada.
Marsha Roberts - reunited adoptee and adoptive mother in Houston, TX
Wisconsin Adoptee - birth mother refused access to original birth certificate and medical information
Please add my signature
Catherine Wagner
location-NS, Canada
adoptive mother and volunteer with Against Child Trafficking (ACT)
Former Prospective Adoptive Parent who believes that children should stay with their natural families unless it's not possible, and if children must be raised away from their families, it should be with people in their own land, who understand their culture and language, and can reflect their physical characteristics.
Elizabeth Case - Adoptive Mother to a boy from Bulgaria.
I am a first mother who gave up 2 sons. I have been reunited with them, but want to make the lie about being promised confidentiality GO AWAY.
It is just a lie - I was never promised ANYTHING. I was intimidated into thinking that I would never know my sons' health or welfare. Also, I was never given a copy of anything I signed.
Current adoption practices need to be changed completely. And adoption records should be OPENED for ALL adult adoptees - the day they turn 18...in ALL states.
Peg Livingston
Peg,
Need you city and state.
Please add my name to this letter: Linda Orozco, Sacramento CA - Birthmother to my first child born 1967. Relinquishment based on intimidation, lies and no resources for a single mom in 67. Suppressed the pain for over 30 years and then had to experience the loss, shame, guilt and pain of my relinquishment. I was never promised confidentiality; just sign here and get on with your life!! Like that could ever happen. Protect these Haitian children and their families.
Mirah,
You can add my name.
Desiree Smolin, Alabama, adoptive parent to a sibling group of two older girls from India, stolen from their first parents and sold for $$$ in international adoption without their parents' consent.
Please add my details to the letter:
Christina Worthington, Reunited Adoptee, Massachusetts
I am New York mother who was forced to surrender two sons in 1965 and 1967. I have never recovered from this violent seperation.
Janet Melbourne
First mother/ reunited
San Luis Obispo, CA
Mirah - Please change my signature to the following:
Gaye Tannenbaum, NY Adoptee born 1953 reunited 2009, currently residing in Piriápolis, Uruguay
Thanks,
Gaye
Shirley Murphy, adoptee - reunited but still suffering from the daily loss of knowing what it means to be part of a family. Boulder, Colorado.
Brandi Kersey, Murrells Inlet, S.C., Natural mother of an adoptee. I too was pressured into it because of my age.. I was told she would be better off. I have raised several happy children , and they have all become Happy and productive adults. My daughter and I have reconnected and I am here to say that was the best thing to happen to both of us. Medical history plays an important part in reconnecting with natural families, also, the love we have for our children is always there.. They need to know the circumstances of the past and we need to share that information with them so that we can all be more productive in our own lives!
Tracy Calmer, Adoptee, Santa Rosa, Ca. Reunited with natural parents for 17 years. Falsified birth certificate reflecting adoptive mother as giving birth to me. Denied access to my real birth certificate unless I get permission from my adoptive parents. I am 38 years old.
Sealed records allow the adoption-for-profit industry to operate without any accountability to the parties-to-the-adoption, which therefore leaves the entire system open to corruption. Take a hard look at who advocates against the adult adoptee having access to their original birth certificate and you will see people making a profit off of sealed records.
Sealed records mean that the health of adoptees and their children is at risk because doctors must work without any of the usual annecdotal information, which even with all the genetic research available, doctors still look for and need to help diagnose inherited illnesses.
The Child Welfare League struggled with the question of adult adoptees having access to their original birth certificates for 75 years and finally came out in favor of it in 2000.
A search is not always just about a birth mother but also about extended family too. Social workers are looking for extended family to place children who are in foster care. If families can survive finding out and making homes for children who are related that no one knew about, certainly they can take independent adults making contact.
I am an adult adoptee, who has searched and found birth family; who for 10 years facilitated a support group that met twice a month for adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents; who had gone to visit state legislators to advocate for adult adoptees to have access to their original birth certificates; who served on the Joint State commission on adoption in PA; who went to the Clinton White House for National Adoption day; and who actively served on Adoption Forum of PA and the American Adoption Congress and more.
Thank you Abigail. Do you live in PA? Inwhat city?
When will the letter be sent?
Probably in another week or by Feb 15. Waiting until the signatures stop coming in for the most part, but you still have time to SPREAD THE WORD!
I am a adult adoptee from Orleans MA. I live in a state that does grant adult adoptees born before 1974 access to their original birth certificates, but sadly I was born in NY, a state where I am still denied. I hope this petition helps to change this law nation-wide, so that we may all be equal, and allowed to have knowledge of our "roots".
Judy 10-01-1956 Binghamton, NY
Add me: Liberty Hultberg, adoptee, born in Illinois in 1981. In contact with both birth parents as well as foster parents.
Add me: Laurie Garland, natural mother, Missouri
Laurie, need you city, please.
Liberty, Mo
Sorry!!
Mariette Henke: natural mother and reunited adoptee
Austin TX
New York, New York. Natural mother who lost her son to a fraudulent "open adoption" that closed when my son was 7. Unhappily reunited.
Vicki White, 64 year old adopted person, Santa Rosa, CA.
Please add my signature to the letter to the President.
I had made 3 attempts to get my OBC from the Alameda County CA Court. All denied. If I had my document, I would have been able to find my mother. Instead, she died 5 years before I searched for and found my birth family.
There is no one to protect by closing up a person's identity. The reality is, there is nothing pretty about birth and relinquishment anyway and the one who suffers is the one who loses the knowledge of who they are. I am finding out who I am because I want to be the most contented person I can be and I have been doing my "work" for a long time. But, I resent all the pain, time, and thousands of dollars I've spent to know my truth, which should be a birthright.
VERY WELL SAID, Vickie. As a mother who lost a child to adoption I SO resent being used as a pawn to keep adoptees from having the "better life" we were promised they would! None of us were promised ANYTHING in return for taking our kids from us...except lies that we'd forget! "Protecting" us is just another lie perpetrated by the adoption industry!
Marcus Baker
Please add my name to the list as well. I'm a former caseworker in child protection services and believe strongly in family preservation, especially for the Haitian children at this time as they are being treated like "Free Children." Boston, MA.
Jack Fischer adoptee, reuntied with family after 19 years of desperate searching, red tape and Lies Every adoptee has the right to there original birth cert no questions asked, and family preservation is a greater alternative to adoption
Thank you, Jack. Need your city and state.
Add my name to your list.
Archie M. Hyde, adoptee, born in Kansas City,Mo. I think. The "certificate of live birth" had the wrong birth year on it. Please give me my True Birth Certificate.
Archie M. Hyde, Adoptee, Hartwell, Ga., born in
Kansas City,Mo., I think. My "certificate of live birth" had the wrong birth year on it. I have been looking for my OBC and medical for the last 22 years. I want my True Birth Certificate.
Archie M. Hyde, adoptee, Hartwell, Ga.,born in Kansas City, Mo. At least I think that it was.
My "certificate of live birth" had the wrong birth year on it.
Have been searching for 22 years for OBC and medical history. I want my True Birth Certificate.
Ann Stokes, Adult adoptee,with the help of many others and the fact that I was almost 4 when I was "chosen" and my older sister had kept my original birth certificate, I have it at age 52!
Every member of my original family is now DEAD, except for that sister who is legally missing. So, I am still denied my family because of time.
And information given to my aparents for my
"fake" not acceptable" birth certificate,was a lie!
If I were to break the law, I would be held accountable! Why can't birth parents be held "accountable?" Why all the lies and secrecy? Fear? Many for some, but the biggest driver is MONEY!!! IT'S TIME FOR THE TRUTH!
The concerns in the family law should be given enough attention. The children's fate are at stake and a better law should be passed to practice their right. Good thing family law (Jacksonville, FL-based) is transparent enough to fight for the child's right. I hope the other states will follow.
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