Welcome to Dreambook, a nifty new free service from:
New Dream Network, Dreamhost, and Dreamservers!If you have a minute, please sign my Dreambook too!
| Name: | Rita Cotillon |
| E-mail address: | ritzy54@sbcglobal.net |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Sheila, I’d like to thank you for the helpful advice of patience you gave me during our phone conversation today. I hope that sharing my story will help other birth mothers with similar adoption experiences.
I was 15 years old when I gave birth to a baby boy on August 25th 1969. My son's father was a classmate. After the birth my parents swore me to secrecy and forced me to give up the baby through an adoption agency in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I was devastated when I began the new school year a few weeks later acting as if nothing had happened. I always wanted to tell the baby's father but was afraid to so. I never told my parents who the baby’s father was as I felt the need to protect him. Throughout the years I have searched for my son's birth father to no avail. More than 10 years I visited the adoption agency where I received much needed emotional support. Giving up my son has affected my whole life. I ultimately found my son whom I have met and able to keep in touch with through Facebook. My son has expressed interest in his birth father especially since the passing of his adoptive father. My son knows his birth father is unaware of his existence and understands the uncertainty of the situation. If I had only told the truth in the beginning at least my son's father would have known he had son all these years. Adoption is both a sacrifice and the ultimate gift. With the love of our family and friends healing is possible. |
| Name: | K Bailey |
| E-mail address: | baileynk@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Hi.Im helping my husband search for his birth family.He was born 4/30/1963 in Flint Mi.His birth mother was 16 and birth father was 19 and worked in a factory.If anyone has any information on Mi searching please send an e-mail to baileynk@yahoo.com
Thank You |
| Name: | jane lacy |
| E-mail address: | jlsearch@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | A SEARCHER FOUND MY 2SONS FOR ME AFTER 38 YEARS.IF ANYONE WANT'S THAT WOMAN'S NAME AND PHONE NUMBER E-MAIL ME. |
| Name: | Anne McCarthy "Female Mulcahy |
| E-mail address: | mom1024@msn.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I was born 10-24-62 at St Vincents Hospital in NYC and placed with my birth mom at NY Foundling Hospital....Feels as though I've been searching ever since. I'm not a whole person, I have all the feelings an adoptive child does, rejection, abandonment, alone, etc., All I seem to hit are walls. I hired Omni Trace and lost my money. They should be closed down, as I've heard nothing good about them...of course, after the fact. The years pass and the pain deepens. I've been interviewed by the producer of the new ABC show, Find my Family and they can't help me either....more rejection. Good luck to all who are searching. Hopefully, one day, I'll have a reunion story to share. |
| Name: | Trace A DeMeyer |
| E-mail address: | tracedemeyer@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.splitfeathers.com |
| Comments: | I am a Lost Bird, an adoptee and a writer. I cannot thank you enough for sharing your story and doing this film. I did receive a letter from my birthmother saying she didn't want contact. Watching your movie, I felt tears rush down my cheeks. My b-mom never said the words, so I say them for her. She passed a few years ago. I dare to think she's sorry for the pain she caused me with her second rejection but now that she is in spirit, I hope she understands. Thank you, mitakuye oyasin, we are all related. |
| Name: | Caren Pajatz |
| E-mail address: | 427man@live.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Thank you for this opportunity. I was born on Dec 10 1958 in Los Angeles Calif under the name of Baby Girl Russell. I was told my birth mothers name was Betty Russell. I have been searching for her all my life to have the chance to tell her thank you for having me and yes I had a wonderful childhood and family. There is still the empty part of me without knowing you. If anyone has any information it would be more than appreciated. |
| Name: | M CASS |
| E-mail address: | LULOU0147@HOTMAIL.COM |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | THANK YOU AND HOPE TO READ MORE.MLC 2009 |
| Name: | Terri |
| E-mail address: | TA2464@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Name: | Patricia Ann Reilly-Faraglia |
| E-mail address: | pfaraglia@optonline.net |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I have been searching for my family since I was 6 years old. I remember the day we left and the sadness that surrounded me. In 198I located my birth parent and family. In 1987 I located my brother and sister. Since then I have been searching for my last sister Maureen who was born in 1965.
I can't wait to see the Movie and share it. Thank you |
| Name: | Michael Thomas Angelo |
| E-mail address: | mtasf1@gmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: |
I read your essay, The Recovery Process with butterflies as it cemented and confirmed the feelings I had experienced since my own reunion occurred 15 years ago. Thank you for your essay. You have hit the nail on the proverbial head and done adoptees a wonderful service. Regards, Michael Thomas Angelo nee Domino -- |
| Name: | Gina |
| E-mail address: | gsvesey@excite.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I felt the need to write. My parents are lovely and always told my brother (who is adopted from a different family and who was reunited with them) that our birth parents loved us so much that they wanted a better life for us.
I opened my records at 18 (in Washington and the adoption agency is no more) and found the name of my first adoptive mother and the place where I was adopted from. I called that woman and found she still thought of me as her daughter. I am not prepared to look for my birthparents and may never be, there may be a language barrier (as I was adopted from Korea). I was diagnosed with MS 10 years ago and with the marvels of modern science, hope for a cure. I guess I never really thought of my birthmother's feelings before. |
| Name: | Findmygirl |
| E-mail address: | findmygirl@comcast.net |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Searching for my daughter born on January 9, 1987 @ 2:52 Am. 9lbs. 13oz. in Staten Island Hospital in New York City. Adoption was handled by Spence-Chapin in New York City...Anyone knowing anything...please email me.... |
| Name: | Gail Ihle |
| E-mail address: | coco.ihle@verizon.net |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I bought your film a while ago and it moved me to tears. I am an adoptee. My birth parents and my adopted parents are dead now, but I have found one sister after searching for fifty years. I still have a sister and brother out there somewhere. My wish is that I find them too someday. |
| Name: | Stephanie Shorter |
| E-mail address: | prettysugar2329@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Hi, I am the daughter of an adoptee. My mother was adopted from Sheltering Arms in New York back around 1950-1955 by a couple from Tuskegee Al. She was born June 27, 1950 in Manhatton. The only parents she knew of was the ones who adopted her. My mothers name was Carolyn McEnge when she died. She left behind two children, me and my brother who is the oldest. My mother is of PUERTORICAN decent. My mothers adoptive parents died before she did. There was not any info left to her about the birth parents. I hope they are still out there cause I am looking for some one to respond back to me. I am 24 years old and have medical conditions and need to know my heritage and family. PLEASE RESPOND SOMEBODY. |
| Name: | Julie Ann Edwards |
| E-mail address: | joolsjew@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I plan on researching the Dreambook today 2-27-08 upon the start of my search for my birthparents' or siblings and look forward to having my "Dream" come true!
|
| Name: | SUZANNE RAVGIALA |
| E-mail address: | ILLPASS@COMCAST.NET |
| Homepage URL: | http://WWW.HITQUARTERS.COM/SUZANNERAVGIALA |
| Comments: | HEY SHEILA, I WAS JUST LOOKING UP SUSHMA DEVA TAYLOR AGAIN TO SEE WHAT SHE WAS UP TO AND FOUND THE LINK TO YOUR ADOPTION MOVIE PAGE. IT IS SO FUNNY THAT I SEEM TO HAVE SIMILAR INTERESTS IN SOCIAL ISSUES AS YOU. I SENT YOU THE SONG LYRIC ABOUT METH ADDICTS, I HAVE ONE ABOUT A WOMAN WHO HAS A CHILD THE FATHER DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT CALLED "THE CHILD HE'LL NEVER KNOW", I HAVE A SONG ABOUT ABUSE CALLED "HOME IS WHERE THE HURT IS", A SONG ABOUT FORCED LABOR IN SWEAT SHOPS THAT ALSO MENTIONS "FORCED LABOR" TO HAVE ABORTIONS BY THE BOSSES CALLED "LABOR DAY". SO KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. THE WORLD NEEDS TO LEARN TO FEEL THE PROBLEMS OF OTHERS. |
| Name: | Kari Eckholt-Mowrey |
| E-mail address: | crabmates64@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I am an adoptee, 'put up' for adoption at birth in Havre, Montana. I was adopted after having spent the first six weeks of my life in a foster home in 1964. I always thought it was quite telling that after my adoption was final, the pediatrician my adoptive parents took me to discovered a heart murmur that later turned out to be a small hole in my heart--that's how I've always felt when I think about my birthmother, as if there's a hole in my emotional heart, a piece of me missing.
I've been involved in work off and on over the last ten years with other adoptees, sometimes as a participant, sometimes as a part of the team presenting a seminar on such things as birth trauma/dramas and holistic health, including a workshop led by the author of "The Primal Wound", Nancy Vernier and membership in APPPAH. I have been searching for my birthmother for most of the last ten years. The most brutal experience in my search was early on, when a woman with the Department of Health and Welfare in Helena, Montana told me that I didn't deserve to know my history because I was born a bastard and would always be a bastard. That anyone could be so vile to another human being shocked me. I also have met with a few other stumbling blocks: the nature of closed adoption in 1964 in a college town in Montana, the loss of hospital records due to the hospital having been closed (now a historic site) due to two floods that hit the area in the late 1960's-mid 1970's, and the college my birthmother was supposedly attending has no record of her name, so the alumni association is of little help. And so I continue to search. My husband has watched me go thru this, not always understanding it all. While watching your program, he commented that he's heard me say nearly every comment made by the adoptees and birth parents regarding my own search. He felt it helped him to understand me a bit better. Thank you! Kari |
| Name: | Mandy LLamas |
| E-mail address: | mandy428@sbcglobal.net |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I am writing this here because I do not know how else to contact you. I am a retired social worker, Santa Clara County CA. As the result of many displaced children, I found that the missing piece would always be with them, be it guardianship or adoption. Who am I, what am I, why am I,am I lovable, why was I given away? I often attempted to explain to my collegues the importance of this, often to no avail. Therefore, my suggestion is to contact said agency regarding this video. It will give them a clearer understanding the impact adoption has on children. |
| Name: | mandy |
| E-mail address: | mandypoz@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I was very touched by your film. We are parents of a 21 month old and are in the process of trying to adopt a second child. We are so thankful for our son's birth parents and the blessing they have brought into our lives. Thank you for portraying adoption in such an honest way and from the perspectives of adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents, Mandy |
| Name: | ANNIE SHIVELY ABELS |
| E-mail address: | abelsada33@wmconnect.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// none |
| Comments: | I WAS BORN 1933 (APRIL 23)
I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING FOR MY BM & SIBLINGS SINCE 1962.I WAS BORN IN SHREVEPORT,LA TO ALLIE OR ADA JOHNSON. ADOPTED BY DEWEY & EMMA SHIVELY OF ANSLEY,LA I HAVE PETEIONED THE COURTS TWICE & BEEN TURNED DOWN TWICE.WHAT WOULD IT HURT FOR A PERSON MY AGE TO KNOW HER HERITAGE? THANKS, ANNIE ABELS BALL,LA 71405 |
| Name: | Denise B Hillery |
| E-mail address: | babygirlny99@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I have a Dream Folder, that has all kinds of documents and names that I'm using in my search for my b-parents.I know that one day my Dream Folder will become my IDENITY. But until then, I just wanted to say to all adoptive parents /and parents to be I LOVE YOU. As an adoptee I hold a special place in my heart for you. Showing us how to Love Unconditional.How can I every thank you. |
| Name: | Lynn Halaby (Dougherty) |
| E-mail address: | Pita195@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I Am the Mother of a Baby Girl Born in Augest 1968 in
Fl Miami Beach, that i am still looking for. I also had a Daughter in 1967 that found me in the 1992, we get along very well,and see each other offen. Do you know if the show will air in Fl? Dougherty Started: 02/15/06 07:58am PST |
| Name: | Kalliopi Karakolia |
| E-mail address: | ekatsarou@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I found your site and that's fantastic! I'm from Greece and I'm tring to find our brother. He was born in 1952 or 1953 in Greece/Athens and was told to my parents that he was already dead. My parents didn't know that that was already a problem in Greece.They never saw the "dead" baby and they didn't take papers for his death.
I need your help! what can I do? We are 3 sisters and I'm the oldest 53years old. My parents was from Stefanina a village near of Thessaloniki and my parents names was Paulos + Marianthi Karakolia. Please if anyone has questions or knows something I'd be glad to hear it. Love kalliopi |
| Name: | Donna Montalbano |
| E-mail address: | donnamontalbano@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://familysecretsonline.com |
| Comments: | Sheila, congratulations on your Angels in Adoption award and to your creative endeavors for those touched by adoption and adversity.
Donna Montalbano host of "Family Secrets" universal7radio.com |
| Name: | BJ Douglass |
| E-mail address: | angel4lily@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Sheila! Congrats on a beautiful, moving, wonderful film. You have brought to the screen the feelings that so many of us have tucked deep inside us - some feelings we never even knew we had - and this film so movingly tells our stories. Congrats for all your hard work and persistence and passion for this issue. And congrats on your Angel in Adoption Award. You are so deserving of this award!
Love and hugs, BJ Douglass Rochester, NY |
| Name: | judy taylor |
| E-mail address: | oddest5629@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Name: | eilujion |
| E-mail address: | lababasha@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://eilujion.wordpress.com |
| Comments: | I am an adoptee who just started a blog about my reunion experience. http://eilujion.wordpress.com |
| Name: | Lorraine Fayet |
| E-mail address: | claire-fayet@wanadoo.fr |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Hoping to find other adoptees from SHELTERING ARMS CHILDREN SERVICE, MANHATTEN NEW YORK.
Thankyou for your web site,I am an adult adoptee. I have been reunited with my Mother (after 52 years) I was adopted in MANHATTEN From: SHELTERING ARMS CHILDRENS SERVICE.in 1955.This is/was, a very important Agency,They made alot of money,organizing charity balls at one time. BUT BOY...Did they tell lies to the adoptive parents! I FOUND OUT THAT I HAVE A "WHOLE BROTHER"AND A WHOLE NEW STORY ABOUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED, I was said to have swedish blood WELL NOT AT ALL. Briefly, my natural Mother was told that I had DIEDED when she inquired if it was possible to recouperate me.How can social workers be so cruel? I WOULD BE INTERESTED TO TALK TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO WERE ADOPTED THROUGH SHELTERING ARMS and know what on earth they could have possibly told them? MY ADOPTIVE PARENTS (WHO ARE NOW 84)have left money to shelerting arms in their will...They were shocked to discover that the story given to them at the time of my adoption,was not true!and that they Themselves had accidentally given me false information that I had grown up with. This hurt them very much,and they were so sorry For me.They have always wanted me to find my birth family,And have been wonderful.THEY WILL NOT BE LEAVING ANY MONEY TO SHELTERING ARMS. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE FILM,BUT I LIVE IN FRANCE.CAN I ORDER IT?? THANKYOU |
| Name: | maureen |
| E-mail address: | maur@talktalk.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.geocities.com/ladyjayne56 |
| Comments: | What a lovely visit I have had. Being an adopteee myself I got lots of identity |
| Name: | Kim Ridgeway |
| E-mail address: | kridgeway93@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Name: | renee |
| E-mail address: | rania7779@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | What a loving tribute to a daughter you weren't able to keep due to the circumstances. She is a lucky girl to have such a loving mother as you.
As an adoptee from Greece, my story is rather unusual when compared to American adoptees. Many Greek children were adopted by foreigners during the 1950's, legally & illegal, with Greek officials telling the birth parents the child had died when in fact, they had been adopted out of the country for lots of money. My story has unique facts: Two women came forward claiming to be my birth mother. Years later, the woman I had chosen as my birth mother denied I was her daughter, even though she had identified certain physical markings only a mother would know. The woman I didn't choose was very quiet and didn't seem interested and knew nothing about my birth marks, what year I was born or even the month. I later learned there was much rivalry and hatred between the two women as they had both been involved with my birth father. Advocacy laws on behalf of Greek adoptees have passed legislation recently in Greece. There are many avenues open to us now, including required DNA testing, opened records of birth & orphanage documents & unveiling the secrecy surrounding our adoption. I will know the truth because with God, all things are possible. Thank-you for letting me tell my story on this website. Any Greek adoptees out there, please contact me. Renee |
| Name: | Evelyn |
| E-mail address: | evelynshepard@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I am here because of my friend, her heart is breaking she has been searching for 35 years for her 2 sons taken from her in 1970, adopted 1973,out of Little Rock Ar. one born 3/67 ond one born 9/68. the only thing we have found out is, they went to the same family, and the youngest may carry the his birth name, Brian Jane can be reached at 501-206-0655 or email me I'll make sure she gets the message. What a wonderfull sight. it's so encourageing |
| Name: | Dan B. |
| E-mail address: | dbisch1609@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.bikedrool.blogspot.com |
| Comments: | I would be interested in seeing your feature film. |
| Name: | Terri |
| E-mail address: | tsalias@bak.rr.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I am a mother of a 5 year old and married to a man, whom is adopted. Being a mother I can understand his need to find his real mother. His records were closed at adoption and birth certificate changed to his adoptive parents names. He did receieve from the courts a few years back a package that provided some background into his history, but provided no names, all the names were blacked out. He does have his first name prior to the adoption, real date of birth and knows the hospital he was born in. We need some help in knowing were to start, in our search to find his real mother or any of his birth family. |
| Name: | Susan Stickel Fuller |
| E-mail address: | suyvonne@sbcglobal.net |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Shelia,So very wonderful to hear how things are going for you.I met you many years ago at a PACER holiday party in the Bay area.At that time I had not reunited with my lost daughter,I found her four years ago with the help of a searcher.We are now slowly getting to know each other after a forty year absence.She is still the most beautiful girl I ever laid my eyes on,even if it was only for afew minutes.I would like to help the cause of open records and need to help others find this joy of reunited family.There are still many big issues for us to work around,but I am so very thankful to have gotten the chance to her face again.Please let me know how I can help this very necessary cause??? Regards, Susan Stickel Fuller |
| Name: | Marcia Wiggers |
| E-mail address: | marcia@udirtydognewnanga.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://udirtydognewnanga.com |
| Comments: | Birthmother of Amber 20 yrs old. Have known for 1 yr were she is living. Just contacted adoptive parents and they are very scarred now that I've showed up. |
| Name: | Sandra Parks |
| E-mail address: | sandra_parks@sbcglobal.net |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I have in the month of August found my two children adopted out in 1965 and 1967 it is such a blessing. we are trying to work through everything it is a very slow process I have always loved them and always will, don't give up they are out ther looking for you just as mine were.... A Birthmother that for that never gave up ... |
| Name: | Christine Lachaine, M.Ed., CCC, CPAC/ARC |
| E-mail address: | healinghearts@sympatico.ca |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.clc-apathtohealing.ca |
| Comments: | This is a wonderful site of which we can share our stories. Thank you. I am a reunited adoptee and a mental health practitioner specializing in post-adoption, adoption reunion counselling and research and provide face-to-face and telephonic counselling to all members of the constellation.
Like I read somewhere, there is about 1 in 6 persons who has been affected via adoption. Blessings, Christine |
| Name: | Alison Boyes |
| E-mail address: | guinness@blackbell.wanadoo.co.uk |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | i have two sons called stephen/craig Anderson who was addopted at the ages of 4/2thier hasent been a day that goes by that i dont think about them and i would so like to find you both and try to get to know you i do hope u find this site and get in touch at the email address above i do love you both and pray for you to get in touch |
| Name: | Colleen Saft Clark |
| E-mail address: | CoSaftClark@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Thank you very much for everything. Colleen |
| Name: | ora jane phillips,lacy |
| E-mail address: | jlsearch@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | i had two sons that were taken from me back in 1970.i believe they were sold in a black market baby ring,because dhs told me if i got married,i could have them back.i married in 1971; they then told me they were already adopted. i registered to find them and found out in a typed letter they sent to me that they were both addopted to a woman who couldnt have any kids of her own in 1973. i cant find a lawyer that is against dhs. |
| Name: | Theresa |
| E-mail address: | tlamhain@fairpoint.net |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Thanks to all that shared their experiences! This program really opened my eyes and is leading me & my sister to look into finding the son that my mother, who passed away in 1989, put up for adoption. I hope that if he is looking and if we find him we can give him some closer.
Theresa |
| Name: | Saani Bukva-Strucaly |
| E-mail address: | sbukva-strucaly@duqlight.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Hope to use this to help my birthdaughter's family understand her search - our struggle and connection. It was her idea, once I mentioned film being shown in Pittsburgh. thanks. wish us well...and the same to all who bump into their deepest emotions so unexpectedly on this journey.
|
| Name: | Tom Newson |
| E-mail address: | T831777@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Greating from Tennessee,
Your story is very interesting. I myself was adopted and for the first time am prepairing to visit my bio sister for the first time ever. Give me a yell. I would love to have someone to share my story, along with some questions I have. Sincely, Tom Newson |
| Name: | Gia Quinlan |
| E-mail address: | ahss1999@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Sheila,
I am also a filmmaker currently working on a adoption documentary. A friend who is a searcher recommend I view your work. I believe she saw it at an adoption congress convention.I look forward to watching it. Best of Luck, G.P. Quinlan |
| Name: | Jennifer Galpin |
| E-mail address: | jgalpin@charter.net |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Hi Sheila, I can't wait to see your movie. When will it be showing in the Detroit, Michigan area? I am going to try and get it from Blockbuster or Netflix. I am searching for a half-brother. Our birth fathers name is Russell Lloyd Galpin from the Pontiac or Waterford Michigan area. He was born between 1953 and 1958???? Also searching for a half-sister named Yvonne Galpin born around the same time or later. Last I knew she was going into nursing. Wish me luck and good luck to all of you that are in the same boat as I. God Bless |
| Name: | Jeannette Knapp - Harris |
| E-mail address: | jknappharris@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I am an adult adoptee. I have been searching on and off for about 17 years. sence my oldest son was born. I wash you much luck in getting our files opened. If I can be any help (as far as a voice) please e-mail me.
Good luck and THANK YOU! Jeannette |
| Name: | Nancy Hicks |
| E-mail address: | nhicks@belllabs.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Thank you for your wonderful website. I was reunited July 10, 2005 with my birthmother after 38 years apart. I being 38, I have two half sisters of age 36 and 34 and a half brother of 42. We are all in or around Madison, WI. It's been quite a journey and I'm still relatively in "Shock" from the reunion.
All the best to you and yours, Nancy |
| Name: | Susan |
| E-mail address: | Deer@erinet.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I am searching fo my birthmother or any birth family. I had wonderful adoptive parents, but they are both deceased. I'm 51 years old, born 02/02/55, so we don't have much time left. I've been searching a long time. I was born in Lackawanna New York. My mother's maiden name may have been Frank, and her alias name at Our Lady Of Victory Infant Home was Fisher. Her family lives northeast of Buffalo. She would be about 68 years old now. My father was about 21 when I was born, was 5'11', dark hair, dark eyes, Catholic, German descent. I pray to find them. |
| Name: | Jan Myers |
| E-mail address: | Dinaspace@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I found this web by accident, and am so happy to have this to go thru and read everything. I will need much more time to see it all, but it tells so many things that are true. I am a reunited birth mom. I am also an adoptive mom as I could have no more children after my daughter was born. Thank you for this web link and I would love to know when this movie will be on tv in the Sarasota-Bradenton Fl. area. |
| Name: | Liane Chan |
| E-mail address: | porcupiny@mac.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://porcupiny.blogspot.com |
| Comments: | What a great topic for a documentary, please keep me updated on it! Thanks! |
| Name: | Gina Atkins |
| E-mail address: | gatkins6@tampabay.rr.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Just a little note to everyone to say thank you for your care, concern, and dedication to the amazing, wonderful, and much understood topic of adoption. I am an adoptee as well as a birthparent. My list of concerns about both sides could fill a book, but so could the list of positives. My adoptive parents are wonderful. I could not have chosen better parents. They have shown me unconditional love my entire life. The flipside, is that they kept my adoption a secret, thinking it was the 'best' for me. When I found out accidentally at 21, well, let's just say, my feelings could fill yet another book. Searching for my biological family was a disaster, but luckily my family was very supportive and the 'need to know' soon passed. To jump a few years forward, I gave my son up for adoption at 24. I met his adoptive parents whom I chose through an agency, and was promised pictures, letters, the whole 9 yards, throughout his life. The pictures stopped when he turned 4. He's 10 now. I know this isn't the doing of the adoptive family, but rather the agency. Thanks for listening, for caring, and for doing what you're doing. It really does help to know there are people out there like you. :)
Gina Atkins |
| Name: | Dawn Dickinson |
| E-mail address: | dgdickinson@earthlink.net |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.earthlink.net |
| Comments: | Great web site. I would like to know why it is so hard to find out any informaition about adoption's that Catholic Charities had anything todo with in Kentucky in 1975.
Adoptee DOB 10/16/1975 Thank you, Dawn Dickinson |
| Name: | linda rafferty |
| E-mail address: | raffie80s@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | thank you for your generosity of your time, experience and knowledge. i was born nov 1,1974 in philadelphia pa and adopted. i have a renewed inspiration to start a search for my birthparent(s). i can only hope to be received with open arms.
thank you so much linda rafferty |
| Name: | Alan |
| E-mail address: | sfhandyworks@sbcglobal.net |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Dearest Sheila
I have spent a wonderland moment of awe over your web sight and film.You have made a "Powerfull honest film" If it wasn't for you My twin brother and I never would have found my birth mother fifty years after we were "Put up for adoption" Your hard work shows in your film making We the adopted and birth parents owe you a graditude for your imformative film. I hope you make another wonderful film. For you have a gift that few people have. You are a "Filmmaker"that makes a differance Thank You Alan |
| Name: | Sue Thurber |
| E-mail address: | dsta4646@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Thank you for your insight of this documentary. I too was adopted and I did find my birthparents. Now I am trying to find 3 siblings. I look forward to the film being broadcast here in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Thank you Sue |
| Name: | BARB |
| E-mail address: | SWEETPEA1431@AOL.COM |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I LOVE THIS PAIGE AND THE STORYS. I AM A ADOPTEE GIRL NAME AT BIRTH CYNITHA CAIN MY MOM WAS 16 YEARS OLD WHEN SHE HAD ME..I AM LOOKING FOR YOU MOM AND FAMILY. I WAS BORN IN ROCHESTER NY. I HOPE SOME DAY I FIND HER TO TELL HER I LOVE YOU MOM YOU DID RIGHT AND OK. I AM OK AND FINE JUST NEED YOU IN MY LIFE.NOW 41 YEARS OLD.MY NAME NOW IS BARB |
| Name: | Ina Lewis |
| E-mail address: | lewisif@aol.com |
| Comments: | Being an adoptee from MO ---- we are also striving for changes in current MO laws regarding closed adoption records and original birth certificates. |
| Name: | Mary Wilford |
| E-mail address: | mwilford@healthlink.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I live in Missouri and am anxious to see the film!! I am a fostermom who is in the process of trying to adopt a set of twin boys they came into our home and our hearts. They mean the world to us. |
| Name: | Betty Peden |
| E-mail address: | arkiegirlagain@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I am a birthmother who searched and found her son had died 15 years ago in 1995 at the age of 25. His name was Jim Rawls and he was born 3/27/65. I traveled from Arkansas to Montana to meet his adoptive father (his adoptive mother died in 1996. His adoptive father has shared pictures and stories. Love you forever Jim.
Betty |
| Name: | Colleen Saft Clark |
| E-mail address: | CoSaftClark@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Thank you, Sheila, so much, for everything. Colleen |
| Name: | Sharon |
| E-mail address: | sesnidermuller@comcast.net |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I love your website and would love to see your film. Any chance it will be shown in New England anytime soon???
Thank you, Sharon |
| Name: | biomombiodad |
| E-mail address: | biomombiodad@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http://www.geocities.com/biomombiodad/index.htm |
| Comments: | Matthew Brian Schroeder Gueningsman
Tucson 1987 The link above is a letter to our beautiful son on his 18th birthday. |
| Name: | Miche LaCour |
| E-mail address: | kingkameleon@aol.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I happened across the airing of this film on Sunday night. I had never seen anything regarding this subject before and I just stood there for a time, immobilized, hearing people put into words what I never brought forth myself. I especially related to Paul and Debbie, if only because I am half-Japanese and half, as I say "I don't know what".
I was born on September 9, 1966 in Aomori-ken, Japan. My adoptive dad was in the U.S. Air Force, my adoptive mom a Japanese citizen. Though I looked like a possible genetic combination of the two, there were many moments in my childhood when I thought surely I must be adopted, for reasons I won't go into here. When my adoptive dad finally told me in 1995, I was not surprised. My adoptive mom had passed away in 1989 so I never had the chance, as an adult to talk to her about anything, to ask any questions. My adoptive dad claims to not know anything about my birth mother and says that my adoptive mom arranged it all. Although my adoption took place in Japan, which has posed some challenges, through some encounters with some very nice people, I have been able to ascertain my birth mother's name. And subsequently have learned that I have at least a half brother and half sister out there somewhere. I would love to find my birthmother one day just to ask some questions, just to finally know, what is true. And equally as important, what I am. I've made up the who as I've gone along. I just want the missing pieces to the puzzle that is my life. Anyone who thinks that these kinds of gaps have no impact on one's life, is mistaken. I know it's hard for people who aren't in the same situation to relate. And I don't speak of it often, and certainly don't share my angst, my reality based on unreality. It hit home in the film when it was noted that Paul grew up thinking he was Chinese. It really made me think about the realities, the identities we take on and believe we are. And how devastating really, when we learn we are not and may be left with nothing. Thank you Sheila for a beautiful film. And thanks for the opportunity to share. |
| Name: | michael griffith |
| E-mail address: | maxig9@cs.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I saw your documentary last night on PBS. You did an outstanding job...thank you. I am an adoptee. I was born June 19th 1946. My adoptive mother always would say to me as I got older, how astrology would change around my birthday, and that it was a rough time. I now can understand, thanks to you, why I have this empty feeling particularly now.
Thanks to my better half, I know about my birth mother who took her life four years after I was born. Thanks to my bio-first cousin, I have several several pictures of my bio mother and grand parents and two cousins. However, nothing about my bio father. My adoption records are sealed thanks to the state of Arizona. So I keep on searching for my bio father. Thank you again for a most wonderful film. Thank you for caring. |
| Name: | jj |
| E-mail address: | jaej222@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Thank you for showing all sides of the adoption triad.
I recently had a falling out with my adoptive mother because I was asking questions about my history, myself before and during the time I was adopted. My adoptive mother told me that normal children don't ask for information about when they were infants. I searched for 9 years to find my birthmother; I found her 18 years ago. My birthmother refuses to tell me the truth about my birthfather, though I do believe that he has no idea I exist. I found out I was adopted by accident when I was 19, I am now 45. I have continued to search for my biological father though I don't believe if I will ever find him, I really don't know who I'm searching for. As for me I just want truth painful or not, yet no one (adoptive or biological) believes that is my right. Thank you for speaking out about the issue of adoption; I only wish that your program could be on all of the major televison channels during the day as well as early evening to reach a larger group of people....But most of all Thank you!!! |
| Name: | Jessie Wheeler |
| E-mail address: | pioneer@saber.net |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I am birthparent of daughter Karen, who was dead when I found her, then found her daughter, Lauren, my grandaughter, who told me of another daughter Chellegiven up for adoption!! All three of us have found each other. chelle still has not found her father and I still have not located their grandfather but as we build relationships we will continue search |
| Name: | Rachel Horwitz |
| E-mail address: | rachel@andyinternational.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I too am part of the adoption triangle. My husband and I adopted a beautiful 3 year old girl from a Russian orphanage 10 years ago. She is everything I always hoped for in a daughter and more. She says she thinks about her "real parents" all the time and I don't know what the future will bring, but for right now, my Russian orphan is great. |
| Name: | Carolyn J. Dittmer |
| E-mail address: | edcarta@zianet.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | My husband and I watched (through tear-filled eyes) "Unlocking the Heart of Adoption" this morning on public television from Albuquerque. We adopted our lovely daughter Gretta 25 years ago and on Mother's Day, I'm reminded of how very much she has brought to our lives. We told her from the time she could understand that we were very lucky to have been given the chance to raise her and that we were very thankful to her birthmother. We read a book to her as a child about adoption. She has never shown a real interest in finding her birth parents even though we offered to help, but she did seem anxious to have a child of her own to connect to. And of course, our Granddaughter, Mya is the joy of our lives as well. During the film this morning, I happened to think that I would not be threatened by Gretta's birthmother with the relationship I would have with my daughter, but I might be nervous about my relation with my granddaughter if there was another grandmother. First time I had thought about that!! Gretta is a very private person and as I told her in a poem I wrote for her this morning, I treasure the glimpses of her that I get when we really connect. Perhaps I should forward the poem to your website. It does not mention adoption, but is between a mother and daughter. |
| Name: | Cheryl Galvan |
| E-mail address: | micorazon03@yahoo.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | I have been reading your story and looking forward to watching the movie, I too relinquished my rights in 1975, hardest thing i have ever been through in my life. I am now a member of the birth moms group which has made a big difference in my life. It has been comforting to me to know that there are others out there who understand and really know what I am going through and feeling inside. It has made a big difference.
My heart goes out to you Cheryl C. Galvan MOM |
| Name: | William |
| E-mail address: | miles_longones9@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Lyle, Kelly Calgary Sept. 16, 1979
Hi, I hope this is seen and , help put some pieces together. I was born in Calgary, AB. Canada In 1979 on september 16 I also stayed with grandma for a while, as well a numerous amount of foster parent before adopted. I was 18 months when signed over to my adoptee parents now. please contact me I would really enjoy it. |
| Name: | Cindy Young |
| E-mail address: | kevincindyyoung@sbcglobal.net |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | My husband and I stumbled upon the film last night and sat rivited for its entirety. We have 3 internationaly adopted children who were 4, 5 and 12 years old when we adopted them. Finding their birth mothers will be next to impossible, but your film gave us the desire to try again. Every once in a while we will see glimpses of their pain, from a void that we can never fill. We used to believe that our love would overcome all, but in recient years we've come to understand that we can love them deeply, but their sence of identity is so intricatally woven from the womb. Thank you for helping all of us dealing with adoption issues to have better understanding and not feel so alone. |
| Name: | judy taylor |
| E-mail address: | Jtaylr@cox.net |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Hi sheila, congratulations. 'this is great that the film is going to be aired in so many places. You go girl.....JTaylor |
| Name: | Pat Richardson |
| E-mail address: | par12338@hotmail.com |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Will this be showing in Florida?? Live on the east coast near Ft. Lauderdale, will we be able to see this??
I'm an adoptee searching for birth sister born 08/03/1936. |
| Name: | Lora Apking Snow |
| E-mail address: | Chey43@cox.net |
| Homepage URL: | http:// |
| Comments: | Awesome special this evening....as a birthmother, I found my son 2 yrs ago. He wishes no contact at this time. So I set and wait for the day he wants to meet me. I continue to send him cards and letters so he'll know that I do love him and want the chance to know the man inside. I wish tv was filled with programs such as this |