Adoptee Rights
http://thekojonnamdishow.org/shows/2013-01-31/adoptee-rights
Discussion about adoption tend to focus on parents, both those seeking to adopt a child and the birth parents. But adult adoptees are increasingly speaking out and demanding a seat at the table when adoption policy is formed. Some are challenging specific laws, such as states that do not allow adoptees access to their original birth certificates. We explore the issues adult adoptees would like to see addressed.
Guests
Susan Branco Alvarado
Licensed Professional Counselor; Member, Adoption Policy Reform Collaborative
Amanda Woolston
Adoptee; Vice-President, Adoptee Rights Coalition
Joy Lieberthal
Licensed Social Worker; Korean Adopted person; member, Adoption Policy Reform Collaborative
Comments
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I would like to thank Kojo and the entire team for putting this show together. As a member of the adoptee community, it pleases me immensely to see driven, passionate, and intelligent professionals like Susan, Joy, and Amanda in discussions such as this.
Kevin Vollmers
Land of Gazillion Adoptees
I would also like to thank Kojo and his staff for bringing together this panel of guests. It is encouraging to hear this much needed dialogue continue in a public forum.
Julie Stromberg
Media Relations Coordinator
Adoptee Rights Coalition
Thank you so much for this show. The point of view of the adoptee is rarely addressed or acknowledged and I appreciated the opportunity to learn about these resources.
Thank you so much for inviting Susan, Joy, and Amanda to speak about these important issues. I'm glad to see these concerns be brought to the forefront of conversations about adoption.
Michelle
Please continue to air informative shows like these! The perspective of professional, adult adoptees is so rarely addressed in the media. As a 62-year-old adopted person, the cause of adult adoptee rights is very important to me. For too long, the adoption industry -- that is adoption attorneys and adoption agencies -- have driven the narrative on this issue. Thank you for airing the facts.
Thank you for a terrific, and important show.
The voices of adult adoptees offer invaluable, essential perspectives in creating ethical child welfare policies, and healthy adoptive families.
Martha Crawford, LCSW,
adoptive parent.
Words cannot express my gratitude for Mr. Nnamdi and his team. People have been more likely to tell me how I should think and feel about my adoption than ask me about it. Today you broke the norm. It's refreshing to see adult adoptees have their own public forum, be asked informed questions, and encounter a respectful curiosity. It gives me hope that we are making progress in overcoming the stereotype of the helpless, angry victims who are incapable of helping shape positive adoption policies and practices that will continue to impact adoptees around the globe for years to come. Ms. Branco Alvarado, Ms. Woolston, and Ms. Lieberthal are important voices that should be heard.
Memi Miscally
In follow-up to my colleague, Linda Clausen's comments near the end of the broadcast, Access Maryland is working on a bill before the Maryland Legislature that, if passed, will allow all Maryland-born adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates. The bill HB 22 is cross-filed in the senate, SB 165. The senate version is scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on February 12. For more information please visit our website at www.obcmaryland.org, or the Access Maryland page on Facebook.
Kate O'Connor
Access Maryland
In follow-up to my colleague, Linda Clausen's comments near the end of the broadcast, Access Maryland is working on a bill before the Maryland Legislature that, if passed, will allow all Maryland-born adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates. The bill HB 22 is cross-filed in the senate, SB 165. The senate version is scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on February 12. For more information please visit our website at www.obcmaryland.org, or the Access Maryland page on Facebook.
Kate O'Connor
Access Maryland
In follow-up to my colleague, Linda Clausen's comments near the end of the broadcast, Access Maryland is working on a bill before the Maryland Legislature that, if passed, will allow all Maryland-born adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates. The bill HB 22 is cross-filed in the senate, SB 165. The senate version is scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on February 12. For more information please visit our website at www.obcmaryland.org, or the Access Maryland page on Facebook.
Kate O'Connor
Access Maryland
In follow-up to my colleague, Linda Clausen's comments near the end of the broadcast, Access Maryland is working on a bill before the Maryland Legislature that, if passed, will allow all Maryland-born adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates. The bill HB 22 is cross-filed in the senate, SB 165. The senate version is scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on February 12. For more information please visit our website at www.obcmaryland.org, or the Access Maryland page on Facebook.
Kate O'Connor
Access Maryland
Great show and very informative but as an adoptee may I suggest another show on adoptees rights w/ Guest speaker Amanda who seemed to be very knowledgable on retaining access to a copy of our original birth certificates? When we were adopted we never signed a waiver saying we gave up "our" rights as adoptee children who have grown into adults to have access to what by all rights is rightfully ours.
Just a thought