Happy National Adoption Month! If you didn’t know, November is recognized as National Adoption Month. The purpose? To bring awareness to adoption, the need for adoptive families, and the importance of lifelong connections. As an adoptee, the topic of adoption is always floating around in my mind. But during November, that thought is amplified. There always seems to be more advertising, more members of the triad sharing their stories, and more adoption content being published–especially form adoptee voices. This month is a great opportunity for all members of the triad to amplify the positive of adoption, as well as adoption needs within the community.
So, what are some things, as an adoptee, that I think are important to do during this month?
Share Adoption Content
I think sharing adoptee content during this month is crucial. Find resources, books, podcasts, any type of adoptee-centered content and share, share, share! Share to your social media, share with friends via text and email, and share in conversations. Share! There are hundreds of excellent articles on Adoption.com that you could share. Many of these articles are written by adoptees.
The reason I put such an emphasis on sharing adoptee-written content is because adoption revolves around the adoptee. In order to improve adoption circumstances for those involved, we have to amplify the adoptees’ voices. There are thousands of adoptees who have spoken out and shared their personal experiences with adoption. If we understand what adoptees have been through and how they feel, we can adjust our adoption practices to be healthier for the adoptive child.
Learn from Adoptees
During the month of November, I will be listening to even more stories about adoption from adoptees. One great way to do this is to listen to podcasts. There are several podcasts that completely focus on the adoption experience from the adoptee’s point of view.
My personal favorite is Who am I really? Hosted by adoptee and adoptive father, Damon Davis. This podcast interviews adoptees about their personal experiences and their reunion stories. I was featured on episode 222, “They built a relationship before I was born” Damon is a fantastic interviewer who really cares about the adoption community. He brings a unique perspective to the adoption community as an adoptee and an adoptive father.
Another adoptee-centered podcast I enjoy is Adoption: The Making of Me. Sarah and Louise are both adoptees all grown up, they not only share their own story but those of other adoptees. They are both heavily involved in the adoption community hosting adoptee-only events and an adoptee-only support group via Zoom. They also do a weekly book review. Usually, the book they read is written by an adoptee. Listening to their podcast is a great way to get connected with more adoptee-related books, events, and resources. There are many other great adoption podcasts out there. All you have to do is search.
Share Your Story
Another huge thing you can do during National Adoption Month is share your own story. Every member of the triad and every person affected by adoption should share their experience. I was 24 years into adoption before I decided to share my story. Sharing parts of my story publicly was healing for me. Whether it was writing for Adoption.com, or sharing on podcasts, it has only benefited me. I love sharing my own story and the stories of others like my grandmother.
I genuinely loved the experience of being a podcast guest. If it is something you have considered but are hesitant to do, I highly recommend you just jump right in! The water is fine and not scary at all. Sharing my story was very therapeutic and needed for healing. Being adopted comes with a certain degree of trauma. Sharing your story can slowly begin to heal bits and pieces of the trauma you have experienced. I share a little bit more about why being an adoptee is hard sometimes.
If you are touched by adoption, whether an adoptive parent, birth parent, or adoptee. I hope you carve out some time this November for adoption education. Read an adoptee-authored book, listen to a few personal stories on a podcast, or read an article or two on Adoption.com if any of these things impact you, I hope you feel compelled to share them with a friend. As members of the adoption triad, we have a unique opportunity to share about adoption. We need to teach others about the great joy that comes with adoption and the many struggles. Adoptees have a lot to teach us when it comes to adoption. If we want better experiences for adoptive families and children, we have to amplify adoptee voices. Is there a better way to learn about adoption than to listen to someone who has been through it? I highly encourage you to pursue adoptee voices this November.
