Pulled By The Root - Amplifying Adoption Issues

Abby Forero Hilty is a transracial Intercountry adopted person. She was born in Bogota', Colombia and brought as an infant to a suburb of NYC by way of adoption by a white, Jewish couple. Abby is a fierce believer in family preservation as well as the need to confront the issues that uphold plenary adoption practices. In 2017, Abby published the first Colombian adoptee anthology with the voices of 17 Colombian adoptees. The book is called Decoding Our Origins: The Lived Experiences of Colombian adoptees. This episode dives into leadership in the adoption community and how we can collective grieve our losses so that all adopted people can feel less alone.

Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book

https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book

https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Clay was adopted as an infant and went most of his life without knowing who his birth parents were. As an adult Clay has been reunified with his birth mother and five brothers he never knew existed. He has also fostered an infant and had the honor of adopting him after a long journey. They are hopeful he can be reunited with his original family one day. Clay and his wife also have four biological children who fill their lives with joy. In this episode, Clay speaks about his deep faith, parenting, and how he has coped with being rejected by his biological father. Clay vibrantly shares his truth along with his hope for those impacted by adoption.

Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book

https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Secrets dig a debt. “Christina” is an adopted daughter and a biological daughter. A youngest sister and an oldest sister. She is a devoted mother of two who is married to an amazing man. Her post reunion life has been riddled with shame, secrecy and heartache. This episode exposes the pain of what it is to be trapped between two worlds. ”Christina” wishes to be a champion for all adopted people who seek the answers of their true existence. She believes there is enough love to go around and that no one should ever have to choose.

Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book

https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Psychotherapist Tony Dunne was born in the 70’s, the eldest of three adopted children. He was raised in the inner city working class area of Dublin Ireland. Childhood was full of fears, he always felt unknown and knew there was something different about him. His teen years were a struggle, Tony felt fearful and anxious in most surroundings. At 15 years old he found alcohol, his first drink gave him a connection he had never felt before. Tony eventually hit rock bottom, his recovery opened a new chapter and profound things happened. Connection was never easy but being able to tell his story and ask questions has made Tony the psychotherapist he is today. Being adopted has given Tony the opportunity to identify and connect with the difficulties adopted people face. He deeply believes telling our story can set us free. ( Note: There is a bit of technical turbulence on my end, luckily Tonys' message comes across loud and clear)

Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book

https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Chilean Adoptees Worldwide "CAW" was founded by Alejandro Quezada, Maria Angelica Martinez and Jessica Pincheira who were adopted illegally to the Netherlands, Sweden and Belgium. In the 70's, 80's and 90's a wave of children were leaving Chili through adoption during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. Many of these children were not relinquished voluntarily. In the first episode, Maria shares her personal journey in heart wrenching detail. In the second episode, Alejandro and Jessica join us to share more about the life changing work they are doing. Illegal adoption and child trafficking are a global problem. "CAW" not only wants to bring justice and healing for Chilean Adopted People they also want to join hands with adopted people around the world to strengthen our voices. NOTE: Episodes do contain graphic descriptions of physical and sexual violence.

Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book

https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Chilean Adoptees Worldwide "CAW" was founded by Alejandro Quezada, Maria Angelica Martinez and Jessica Pincheira who were adopted illegally to the Netherlands, Sweden and Belgium. In the 70's, 80's and 90's a wave of children were leaving Chili through adoption during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. Many of these children were not relinquished voluntarily. In the first episode, Maria shares her personal journey in heart wrenching detail. In the second episode, Alejandro and Jessica join us to share more about the life changing work they are doing. Illegal adoption and child trafficking are a global problem. "CAW" not only wants to bring justice and healing for Chilean Adopted People they also want to join hands with adopted people around the world to strengthen our voices. NOTE: Episodes do contain graphic descriptions of physical and sexual violence.

Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book

https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

This episode is graphic, containing detailed descriptions of physical violence, suicide, sexual and physical abuse. This anonymous interview speaks to pain of adoption and how it can adversely affect us and the people we care about. So many adopted people are suffering in isolation. "Andy" takes us through the darkness of his complex trauma toward the light of redemption. His mission is to speak his truth and share his pain so that our adopted brothers and sisters can feel validated. "Andy" also wants society to understand that adoption is loss. He speaks honestly about his own self destructive tendencies and the triumphs toward his own self preservation. His bravery, vulnerability and determination to help himself and others speaks to the soul. It was important to "Andy" to share his story the way he wanted to.  We hear you brother "Andy"....

Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book

https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Alesia and Kara created the organization called Right to Know. They believe laws related to genetic information, identity and family dynamics need to be updated to reflect the changing technology and social dynamics of the times. Both of these incredible women have experienced something called an MPE- Misattributed Parentage Experience-the discovery of a change in a person's perceived parental genealogy from a previously unknown or undisclosed assisted conception, adoption or Non Paternity Event. It is disorienting to discover your identity is not what you thought it was. The MPE and Adoption communities support the fundamental right to know your genetic heritage. By collaborating with like minded groups we can begin to change the laws that stand in our way. This episode is a rich conversation about how we can connect and empower each other.

Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book

https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/

Greg Luce is a Minnesota based attorney and a DC born adopted person. He is the founder of Adoptee Rights Law Center and the president of Adoptees United Inc. He is a graduate of Boston University and the University of Minnesota Law School. Greg helps adopted people navigate legal challenges in obtaining their own original birth certificated, securing  U.S. citizenship, and seeking information to which they are entitled. He is also working to develop broader legal strategies to challenge existing legal frameworks that operate to deny adopted people basic and fundamental rights of identity. 

Click here to send us a text. Also, our book “Pulled By The Root” is available at https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/book

https://www.pulledbytheroot.com/