Did you know that behind every adoption story, there’s a painful truth that’s rarely discussed?

In this episode of the Adopt Perspective podcast, Jo Sparrow interviews Bev Shipway, who shares her harrowing experience of being coerced into giving up her son for adoption in Western Australia at the age of 17. Bev recounts the trauma of her pregnancy, the pressure from her family and the system, and the long-lasting effects of her adoption experience. She discusses the challenges of consent, the emotional turmoil of reconnecting with her son, and her journey towards healing. This conversation sheds light on the complexities of adoption, the impact of societal norms, and the importance of personal agency.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bev's Story

03:36 The System of Coercion and Secrecy

06:52 The Experience of Pregnancy and Birth

09:58 The Impact of Institutional Practices

12:49 The Aftermath of Adoption

16:28 Reflections on Consent and Freedom

23:27 The Weight of Silence

24:27 The Struggle for Connection

25:54 The Journey to Revocation

29:38 Reconnecting with the Past

32:51 Moments of Joy and Reflection

35:52 Defining Healing

37:13 Advice to the Younger Self

This episode will resonate with adopted adults, parents who lost children to adoption, siblings, adoptive parents, practitioners, and anyone seeking a deeper, more honest understanding of the lifelong impacts of adoption. 

SUBSCRIBE! If this conversationresonates, subscribe for more honest discussions about adoption, identity and the lived experience of adopted adults, mothers and fathers who lost children to adoption and therapists, researchers and policy makers in this space. 

This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised.

For more information go to ⁠http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/podcast⁠

To be considered for interview on the podcast, fill in the prospective guest form you'll find on the podcast page of the website.  

Your hostis Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (⁠www.jigsawqueensland.com⁠) 

Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast 

Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland  

If you are looking for support and reside in Queensland, Australia, you can reach Jigsaw Queensland's Forced Adoption Support Service on toll-free 1800 21 03 13, or youcan call Jigsaw on 07 3358 6666. If you live in another state of Australia, you can still call the Forced Adoption Support Service in the state that you're calling from. In every other state of Australia, Relationships Australia operates this service. 

A big thank you to Matt Sparrow for composing and recording our original theme music.  

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to cultureand the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing.