Courtney's post last night got me thinking about attachment from my own experience. I was adopted as an infant of eight weeks old and my brother was adopted seven years later as an infant of roughly the same age. Neither of us have ever had any conscious memory of any family or life prior to the childhood we experienced with our parents, our adoptions were openly discussed even if the details regarding our birth families were totally closed to us, and being children of the 70s,... more]]> 1 comment http://adoptee.adoptionblogs.com/weblogs/excited-new-adoptee-blogger-wants-to-hea Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:59:02 +0000 Lisa B Adult Adoptees Talking About Adoption Search & Reunion Adoption 23484@http://www.adoptionblogs.com/ It's been said to start at the very beginning as it's the very best place to start which is clearly solid advice. My name is Lisa B and I'm elated to join this already robust community as one of your new bloggers focusing on both adoptee perspectives and adoption searches. My life and resulting world view has been actively shaped by my experiences as an adoptee who was relinquished at birth through Catholic Charities to loving parents who never hid that fact from me. I've always known that I was adopted and it was as natural to me as sliced bread, walking and my own blue eyes in the mirror.... [...] Read more! It's been said to start at the very beginning as it's the very best place to start which is clearly solid advice. My name is Lisa B and I'm elated to join this already robust community as one of your new bloggers focusing on both adoptee perspectives and adoption searches. My life and resulting world view has been actively shaped by my experiences as an adoptee who was relinquished at birth through Catholic Charities to loving parents who never hid that fact from me. I've always known that I was adopted and it was as natural to me as sliced bread, walking and my own blue eyes in the mirror.... more]]> 4 comments http://adoptee.adoptionblogs.com/weblogs/adoption-is-not-doom-and-gloom Sat, 01 Dec 2007 03:15:15 +0000 Abby Adoption as an "IS" 21074@http://www.adoptionblogs.com/ At times it seems like adoption is all doom and gloom for a whole number of reasons. You will have gloom in adoption just as everything else in this life. But gloom does not fill adoption as some would like others to believe. There are plenty of adoptees that have lived a happy and fulfilled life even with being adopted. While there are a few adoptees that are scarred, wounded through adoption, this is not the case for most adoptees. Granted it is easy to wonder what kind of impact adoption will have on an adoptee when there seems to be so much negativity concerning... [...] Read more! At times it seems like adoption is all doom and gloom for a whole number of reasons. You will have gloom in adoption just as everything else in this life. But gloom does not fill adoption as some would like others to believe. There are plenty of adoptees that have lived a happy and fulfilled life even with being adopted.

While there are a few adoptees that are scarred, wounded through adoption, this is not the case for most adoptees. Granted it is easy to wonder what kind of impact adoption will have on an adoptee when there seems to be so much negativity concerning... more]]> 17 comments http://adoptee.adoptionblogs.com/weblogs/what-adoption-means-to-me Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:44:44 +0000 Abby Adoption as an "IS" 21055@http://www.adoptionblogs.com/ Adoption can mean so many things to different people. It also brings a lot of different emotions out in people. It is very personal to me because it is the foundation of my being. While it does not define who I am, it is a part of me. Adoption to me is life. It was the greatest gift that I have ever received. My birth mother gave me the opportunity of a future she could not provide for me at that point in her life. I was blessed to be adopted with my sister and grow up together. Adoption provided me a normal childhood with all the experiences to go along with it too. I have... [...] Read more! Adoption can mean so many things to different people. It also brings a lot of different emotions out in people. It is very personal to me because it is the foundation of my being. While it does not define who I am, it is a part of me. Adoption to me is life. It was the greatest gift that I have ever received. My birth mother gave me the opportunity of a future she could not provide for me at that point in her life.

I was blessed to be adopted with my sister and grow up together. Adoption provided me a normal childhood with all the experiences to go along with it too.... more]]> 2 comments http://adoptee.adoptionblogs.com/weblogs/sharing-a-journey-while-keeping-some-pri Thu, 29 Nov 2007 06:30:27 +0000 Abby Us, the Adoptees 21035@http://www.adoptionblogs.com/ Who's Adoption Story is it to Tell? I was talking to my sister who is also adopted about her feelings concerning others sharing her adoption journey and information. I was quite surprised when she told me that she was a little shocked that I have been so open, honest and shared so many details about my adoption journey and that of my children. When I took this writing “gig”, I wanted to be as open as I could about being an adoptee and the challenges, issues and heartache that can happen.... [...] Read more! Who's Adoption Story is it to Tell?

I was talking to my sister who is also adopted about her feelings concerning others sharing her adoption journey and information. I was quite surprised when she told me that she was a little shocked that I have been so open, honest and shared so many details about my adoption journey and that of my children.

When I took this writing “gig”, I wanted to be as open as I could about being an adoptee and the challenges, issues and heartache that... more]]> 2 comments http://adoptee.adoptionblogs.com/weblogs/who-s-adoption-story-is-it-to-tell Thu, 29 Nov 2007 06:03:01 +0000 Abby Us, the Adoptees 21034@http://www.adoptionblogs.com/ Boundaries in adoption can sometimes be very hazy. What part of the adoption information and details belongs to whom? It is common for adoptees to go through times that they do not want to share their adoption journey and some adoptees do not feel comfortable sharing it at all. I remember when I was in my late teens (18 or 19ish) we were at church function, a person that was visiting came up out the clear blue sky and asked about me being adopted. I was surprised to say the least and quickly learned that my mother had told her. I was thrown for a loop for a couple of reasons.... [...] Read more! Boundaries in adoption can sometimes be very hazy. What part of the adoption information and details belongs to whom? It is common for adoptees to go through times that they do not want to share their adoption journey and some adoptees do not feel comfortable sharing it at all.

I remember when I was in my late teens (18 or 19ish) we were at church function, a person that was visiting came up out the clear blue sky and asked about me being adopted. I was surprised to say the least and quickly learned that my mother had told her. I was thrown for a loop for a couple of... more]]> 5 comments http://adoptee.adoptionblogs.com/weblogs/money-adoption Tue, 27 Nov 2007 05:18:45 +0000 Abby Adoption 20982@http://www.adoptionblogs.com/ Something I continue to hear that is a major problem in adoption is money surrounding adoption and the cost of it. Which I do agree that there needs to be a cap of cost of the things surrounding adoption but when I hear statements like; “Money has to be removed from adoption to remove the corruption. That adoption is a business of profit, etc.” this is part of the problem. I do agree with these statements to a point but you also have to look at the realistic picture of the situation for everyone involved (yes, even the businesses). The truth is that money will always be involved... [...] Read more! Something I continue to hear that is a major problem in adoption is money surrounding adoption and the cost of it. Which I do agree that there needs to be a cap of cost of the things surrounding adoption but when I hear statements like; “Money has to be removed from adoption to remove the corruption. That adoption is a business of profit, etc.” this is part of the problem. I do agree with these statements to a point but you also have to look at the realistic picture of the situation for everyone involved (yes, even the businesses).

The truth is that money will always be involved... more]]> 1 comment http://adoptee.adoptionblogs.com/weblogs/can-we-get-beyond-the-division Tue, 27 Nov 2007 05:17:39 +0000 Abby Adoption 20980@http://www.adoptionblogs.com/ Can Adoption Reform Happen with Everyone on Different Sides? The truth is that reform will not happen in adoption until the people involved in adoption put their insecurities, pain, and other issues with adoption and the others aside. This is the way to get to a common goal of reform in adoption. We cannot expect the public to take our desires to see adoption reform seriously when it seems like we are all caught up in ourselves, point fingers at each other, etc. While I do understand... [...] Read more! Can Adoption Reform Happen with Everyone on Different Sides?

The truth is that reform will not happen in adoption until the people involved in adoption put their insecurities, pain, and other issues with adoption and the others aside. This is the way to get to a common goal of reform in adoption. We cannot expect the public to take our desires to see adoption reform seriously when it seems like we are all caught up in ourselves, point fingers at each other, etc.

While... more]]> 2 comments http://adoptee.adoptionblogs.com/weblogs/can-adoption-reform-happen-with-everyone Sun, 25 Nov 2007 06:20:34 +0000 Abby Adoption 20940@http://www.adoptionblogs.com/ There is always ongoing talk of the much needed adoption reform which I do agree that there needs to be some changes. But how can reform begin when people involved in adoption cannot even work together. To see the big overall pictures seems impossible at times for a lot people involved in adoption. When I started here I learned that there were sides, a line in the sand that divided the adoption community. I was quickly placed on the side of the adoptive parents I guess because I could understand most of their issues. I now realize that what divides people involved with adoption is much bigger than a line in the sand more like huge ravine that seems to grow wider and deeper every day. So... [...] Read more! There is always ongoing talk of the much needed adoption reform which I do agree that there needs to be some changes. But how can reform begin when people involved in adoption cannot even work together. To see the big overall pictures seems impossible at times for a lot people involved in adoption.

When I started here I learned that there were sides, a line in the sand that divided the adoption community. I was quickly placed on the side of the adoptive parents I guess because I could understand most of their issues. I now realize that what divides people involved with adoption is much bigger than a line in the sand more like huge ravine that seems to grow wider and deeper every... more]]> 1 comment http://adoptee.adoptionblogs.com/weblogs/time-is-fading Tue, 20 Nov 2007 05:26:51 +0000 Abby Not Because I'm Adopted, Just Because 20855@http://www.adoptionblogs.com/ This month has gone by so fast heck…even this year has flown by. Oh, what a year it has been for me. I was given this great opportunity to blog here as an adoptee and I have enjoyed my time. I have met some great people and learned so much from bloggers and readers. The time has come for me to begin another path in my adoption journey of life. This will be my last month sharing my experiences, thoughts, feelings and information as being an adoptee. A lot of you have been supportive through some very different times in my life or when facing some unpleasant issues that I am so thankful... [...] Read more! This month has gone by so fast heck…even this year has flown by. Oh, what a year it has been for me. I was given this great opportunity to blog here as an adoptee and I have enjoyed my time. I have met some great people and learned so much from bloggers and readers. The time has come for me to begin another path in my adoption journey of life. This will be my last month sharing my experiences, thoughts, feelings and information as being an adoptee.

A lot of you have been supportive through some very different times in my life or when facing some unpleasant issues that I am... more]]> 3 comments