Who Am I Really?

Alejandra, who spoke to me from Tampa, Florida, said that growing up she towered over her Mexican parents as a blonde white woman. They loved her deeply, making her feel safe she feels loyalty towards them. But adoption reunion, found Alejandra twice. Her maternal side had searched for decades to find her. Her paternal aunt found her then introduced her to her half-Brother. Alejandra has special gifts that made her super fast, overwhelming maternal reunion, a challenging adventure. This is Alejandra's journey. I Just Can't Make This Sh!t Up Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your Story Damon's story Find the show on: Instagram Facebook Apple YouTube Spotify Google TuneIn Stitcher Player FM Podbean

Yvette, from Memphis, TN, shared that In her childhood no one would say the word "adopted",. After a tense moment in the neighborhood and a series of events, Yvette figured out the truth. In reunion, Yvette learned she was placed for adoption at an odd place in the birth order of her siblings, corroborating an unsettling suspicion she had about her parents' relationship. However, she has also met some wonderful birth family members, one of whom she said is the best thing that has ever happened to her. This is Yvette's journey. Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your Story Damon's story Find the show on: Instagram Facebook Apple YouTube Spotify Google TuneIn Stitcher Player FM Podbean

Lauren, from southwest England in the UK, grew up knowing she was adopted and was loyal to her family, but applying to university and thinking through her life made her want to trace her roots. When she found her birth mother, she met a woman who started off chilly but warmed up when Lauren got to meet her parents, and Lauren learned that mother and daughter have something in common. Her birth father found her too, after Lauren sent a letter, but in the end she's not connected to either side of her birth families, choosing to let things be as they are. This is Lauren's journey. Women Of A Certain Stage , Instagram , LinkedIn , YouTube Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your Story Damon's story Find the show on: Instagram Facebook Apple YouTube Spotify Google TuneIn Stitcher Player FM Podbean

Nicole, from outside London in the UK, grew up in Australia. As a teenager, Nicole struggled with her adoption, so after reaching out for help, her birth mother was found, but that caused challenges with her adoptive parents. Soon after, Nicole’s birth father was found and proudly showcased, but she admits she wasn’t ready for that paternal relationship and wishes now that she had invested more in it back then. Nicole also shared her feelings about how adopted people invest in parenting our own children. This is Nicole’s journey. Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your Story Damon's story Find the show on: Instagram Facebook Apple YouTube Spotify Google TuneIn Stitcher Player FM Podbean

Greg, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, said when his son was born, he thought he could stroll into the D.C. adoption system to ask for his adoption records, but he learned there were significant barriers to access. He’s one of the few people who found reunion through a registry, meeting his birth mother just in time to form a bond, then inheriting the true documentation of her past, more valuable than anything the courts could provide. Greg still holds out hope that his birth father will warm up more quickly to get to know him one day. Until then... ...this is Greg's journey. Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your Story Damon's story Find the show on: Instagram Facebook Apple YouTube Spotify Google TuneIn Stitcher Player FM Podbean

Christy, who called me from Utah, was deeply loved by her adoptive parents, who prayed she would be delivered to them. But throughout childhood, she was unable to shake the feeling of being abandoned. In reunion, Christy heard the hard truth of her conception, self-medicated to escape her feelings, then recovered to center herself in motherhood. Christy shared the importance of telling our stories, as another adoptee and journey mate did for her. This is Christy's journey. New Book! Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your Story Damon's story Find the show on: Instagram Facebook Apple YouTube Spotify Google TuneIn Stitcher Player FM Podbean

Neshia, from outside of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, said her birth mother lived the street life and exposed her children to the full dark side of the choices she was making back then. Neshia credits one amazing foster family with showing her what a normal life as a child should be, but it was short-lived. Transplanted from the city into a rural transracial adoption, she was cast out as a teen, and trauma cycles repeated themselves. But today, Neshia is doing her best to be a mom to her own children, focusing on the glimmers of hope in her life. This is Neshia's journey. New Book! Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your Story Damon's story Find the show on: Instagram Facebook Apple YouTube Spotify Google TuneIn Stitcher Player FM Podbean

Today is a special double adoptee episode with Noreen and Adrian. They both live in Massachusetts, but they were together in New Hampshire to meet someone special in Noreen's search. Her adoptive mother was very supportive and even spoke with her first mother. For Adrian, the maternal search has had its ups and downs, including finding a grave, but their stories ended up converging when they found each other through DNA, developed an instant bond, and have since supported each other through a shared paternal search. These are the individual and convergent journeys of Noreen and Adrian. New Book! Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your Story Damon's story Find the show on: Instagram Facebook Apple YouTube Spotify Google TuneIn Stitcher Player FM Podbean

Lori, from Missouri, said that growing up she wondered who her birth mother was, but it wasn’t until she received her original birth certificate that the gravity of her identity truly hit home. Incredibly, documenting her search on social media led her to a very supportive search angel who already knew exactly who Lori was looking for. She tried to correspond with her birth mother, but Lori was blocked and rejected, leaving her with only hope for the future. Still, Lori said finding each piece has given her peace. This is Lori’s journey. New Book! Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your Story Damon's story Find the show on: Instagram Facebook Apple YouTube Spotify Google TuneIn Stitcher Player FM Podbean

Sharla, from West Texas, grew up never wanting to find her birth family. But in truth, she knows she was suppressing that feeling. After a DNA test, Sharla finally figured out she had made a paternal connection, but she didn't realize how close she had actually come to meeting her birth father. Unfortunately, Sharla has gotten mixed signals from her birth mother, and now the woman has left her with negative comments. Sharla refuses to let her negativity drag her down. This is Sharla's journey. New Book! Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your Story Damon's story Find the show on: Instagram Facebook Apple YouTube Spotify Google TuneIn Stitcher Player FM Podbean

Elina, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was born in Russia. She spent her early years in her birth family’s care before moving into foster care. Then, as a minor, she finalized her own adoption before departing for America. Elina grew up as one of four adoptees, each experiencing the impacts of adoption at different stages of their lives. Elina has been contacted by her extended family, but she’s not interested in reconnecting with her birth mother. Instead, she’s focused on the deep healing work she wants to do for herself. This is Elina’s journey. New Book! Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your Story Damon's story Find the show on: Instagram Facebook Apple YouTube Spotify Google TuneIn Stitcher Player FM Podbean

Angie, from Southern Maryland. Growing up, Angie was frequently defined by her skin tone, as her relationship to her adoptive parents was questioned. Her contrast against her schoolmates and surrounding community made her stand out. When Angie found her birth mother, she was welcomed home—even by the woman responsible for her placement. But her paternal reunion was marked by an unremarkable connection and vitriolic remarks, which led Angie to take control of who she keeps in her life. This is Angie’s journey. New Book! Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your Story Damon's story Find the show on: Instagram Facebook Apple YouTube Spotify Google TuneIn Stitcher Player FM Podbean

Donna, from New Jersey, grew up questioning the origins of her looks. In college the uniqueness of her appearance sparked curiosity. Donna spent years with no way to locate her birth family until DNA testing presented links to her maternal and paternal families simultaneously. While it was tough to find graves on her search, Donna takes fulfillment from the acceptance she's gained and the fostering she provides to children in her community. This is Donna's journey. New Book! Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your Story Damon's story Find the show on: Instagram Facebook Apple YouTube Spotify Google TuneIn Stitcher Player FM Podbean

Rosalyn spoke to me from the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. As a teenager, she learned the truth about her adoption at her adoptive mother’s funeral—a discovery that was revealed harshly and without warning. In reunion, Rosalyn said she found peace in the mirroring she saw with her first mother and her paternal family connections. But she refused to remain an unacknowledged secret with her birth father. Make sure you listen through to the end, where Rosalyn reveals why her informal adoption has created serious problems for some of her most basic freedoms. This is Rosalyn's journey. New Book! Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your Story Damon's story Find the show on: Instagram Facebook Apple YouTube Spotify Google TuneIn Stitcher Player FM Podbean

Dr. Liz Debetta spoke to me from Plymouth, Michigan. Growing up, adoption was an open topic until her younger brother's birth changed the family's focus. A series of bad relationships and feeling lost in life led Liz back to school where she rediscovered writing and the award-winning adoption story she's always had inside. In reunion, Liz found the first mother whom she always knew wanted to know her. But herdeep exploration of her adoption has driven a wedge between Liz and her older brother. This is Liz's journey. LizDebetta.com Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your Story Damon's story Find the show on: Instagram Facebook Apple YouTube Spotify Google TuneIn Stitcher Player FM Podbean

David, and his birth mother Margaret's story of adoption relinquishment, lives lived apart but close to one another, and their brief emotional reunion is told in the book, "American Baby", written by New York Times Best Selling Author, Gabrielle Glaser. Gabrielle first met David while he was on kidney dialysis awaiting a transplant where he shared that he hoped he would find his birth mother one day. In reunion, David learned that he had always been loved, and his birth parents never forgot about him. Gabrielle share's David's journey.

DL called me from Manhattan, New York. He talks about his youth in a home with a mother addicted to prescription medications who probably wasn’t fit to adopt. When he moved out at 18, he followed his natural talent to climb his way into the music industry. However his suspicion that his birth mother was alive, contrary to what he was told, never left him. In reunion, DL's birth mother nearly backed out of meeting him as the guilt of his relinquishment washed over her decades after her decision. Thankfully DL’s sister made sure their reunion, and his reunion with his sisters, did happen. This is DL’s journey.

Lisa Marie chatted with me via Skype from Lake Garda in the North of Italy. In her journey you'll hear the impact of a transracial adoptee who grew up in a homogenous world that didn't look like herself, and the serendipitous meeting that allowed Lisa to free herself from part of her past. Even though she lived a world away, technology allowed her to find her birth mother and spend the entire day online with her and her birth family. In front of an intimate audience in Colorado, Lisa got the once in a lifetime opportunity to sing to one special woman sitting in the front row of her show. This is Lisa's journey.

Isaac, from Hawaii, talks about himself as a boy who was loved, but struggled to connect with his adoptive parents in certain ways. Having left the island, a chance musical gig put him back on Hawaiian soil and in position to launch his adoption reunion search. In reunion he reconnected with both of his parents at the same time, elected to move back to Hawaii to reconnect with the land and his people, and even found that learning more about the island made him closer to his adoptive family too. This is Isaac’s journey.

Tracey called me from Nashville, TN. She was raised in a family with a genetic trait that deeply impacted her middle sister, driving her appreciation for the power of genetic testing. Tracey knows a lot about her birth mother even though the woman rejected her twice.Process of elimination led her to her birth father, several loving siblings, and healing from the heartache of her first attempt at reunion. This is Tracey’s journey.

Kristen, from Minnesota, was a multi-sport athlete in high school, even competing while pregnant with her daughter. She tells the story of giving birth, placing her daughter, then needing years to get her life back on track. In one incredible year, Kristen learned that her birth parents were looking for her, her daughter wanted to find her and that reunion can bring closure and healing while revealing unbelievable coincidences. Kristen talks about some of the right decisions she made in her life and some of the missteps that she wishes she would have done differently as a parent. This is Kristen's journey. Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Share Your Story Listen On Apple Podcasts - http://apple.co/2oOd25m Spotify - https://spoti.fi/2RN3jcB Google Play - http://bit.ly/2oEU7bH TuneIn - http://tun.in/piyg9 Stitcher - http://bit.ly/2DsqBxk_Stitcher Player FM - https://player.fm/series/who-am-i-really Podbean - bit.ly/2I0ITeY_Podbean YouTube - http://bit.ly/2oF3yrH Social Media Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WAIReally/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/waireally/ Damon's own story in print and audio: Damon's story "Who Am I Really? An Adoptee Memoir” - https://amzn.to/2Y9RNf8

In Debby’s home adoption was an open topic because she was fostered by her grandparents and adopted by their daughter. Unfortunately, she wasn’t welcome as an adoptee by her adopted father and she and her family faced abuse by her stepfather. In reunion Debby found out her birth parents tried to stay together and she has full blood siblings. But her biological father has tried to deny she is his, even though she and the rest of the family know their truth.

For Shelby, growing up as a Korean adoptee left her feeling “othered” as she didn’t quite fit into her community. The Korean school her parents tried to raise her in wouldn’t accept her either. She was forced to live in between her culture and what Americans would or would not let her be. On a heritage trip to South Korea she experienced the heavy emotions of reunion with her birth mother, the challenge of remaining a secret, and witnessed the frustrations of her brother who couldn’t locate his biological family. Shelby also gained a real compassion for her adopted mother whose reasons for adopting brought Shelby and her mother closer together. This is Shelby’s journey. The post 106 – Beautiful Truth appeared first on Who Am I...Really? Podcast . Shelby ( 00:02 ): She had been raped and she got pregnant and her parents did not want to help raise the baby. So they essentially told her like, you have to give this baby up for adoption or you can't stay here. So she felt like she had no option. And so it's been a lifetime of pain for her. Damon ( 00:32 ): Who am I? Who am I? Who am I? Who am I? Who am I? Who am I? Who am I really a podcast about adoptees that have located and connected with their biological family members? I'm Damon Davis and on today's show is Shelby who called me from Valrico, Florida due East of Tampa for Shelby, growing up as a Korean adoptee, left her feeling othered as she didn't quite fit into her community and the Korean school, her parents tried to raise her in. Wouldn't accept her either on a heritage trip to her home country. She experienced the heavy emotion of reunion with her birth mother, the challenge of remaining a secret and witnessed the frustrations of her brother who couldn't locate his biological family. Shelby also gained a real compassion for her adopted mother who's reasons for adopting brought Shelby and her mother closer together. This is Shelby. When I spoke to Shelby. She was frantically packing and planning for a very special trip to New York with her adopted mother. She started off telling me about her adoption that originated overseas. Shelby ( 01:47 ): Well, I was adopted from South Korea when I was almost one year old and I flew over on a plane to an airport in DC. And my parents picked me up at the airport and that's where I met him for the first time. Um, my mom always tells me that the first time she held me, I just looked straight into her eyes and she, um, felt like I was asking her, are you my new mother? Now? She always gets emotional when she tells that story. And I do too. Um, I do feel like I bonded really quickly with her. I don't remember, but I just felt my life. I felt so close to my adopted mom. Um, and then when I was put into my dad's arms, I took one look at him and I immediately cried because he had glasses, blue eyes, very pale skin, that eighties moustache. So it took me a bit of time to warm up to him, but he did take off a few weeks of work, uh, so that he could connect with me and for me to become comfortable with him, that was good that he was able to

Sean from, Fishers, Indiana, grew up the only person of color in his entire rural town. Yet his ethnicity was hidden from him by his adoptive mother. In Reunion, Sean finally met his birth mother, but realized he needed to establish a special boundary with her to protect his adopted children. Lacking mirroring all his life, Sean finally heard one of his paternal relatives say, he looks just like someone special in their family. Sean's book is called Born Without a Race . This is Sean's journey. Born Without A Race:The Struggles and Confusion of a Racially Ambiguous Adoptee, and How He Discovered His , By Dr. Michael Bauer (Sean) New Book! Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your Story Damon's story Find the show on: Instagram Facebook Apple YouTube Spotify Google TuneIn Stitcher Player FM Podbean

Santo, from Redding, PA, grew up knowing he was adopted, and that his family could have also adopted his siblings from Italy. As an adult, when a friend's wedding took him to Spain, he arrived early to make the long drive across Europe to northern Italy to be face to face with his birth mother. Santo and his team made a documentary about his life is called Il Mio Posto a Tavola, or My Place at the Table where he uncovers research about his thread in the mosaic of European children adopted into the United States. This is Santo's journey. New Book! Inside the Adoptee Experience Who Am I Really? Who Am I Really? Website Share Your Story Damon's story Find the show on: Instagram Facebook Apple YouTube Spotify Google TuneIn Stitcher Player FM Podbean