* These are various resources that offer support. These are ones that I am familiar with and/or have used myself. Unless otherwise stated I offer no endorsement of the following sites. Please use at your own discretion.
National Suicide Prevention or Call 1-800-273-8255
Adoptees are four times more likely to attempt suicide than other people.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
The line provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Please do not hesitate to call if you are in crisis!
FamilyPreservation365
Their mission is to empower vulnerable, expectant mothers and prevent family separation. They offer a website with a multitude of resources and education for all who are interested.
Save our Sisters
Save our Sisters focuses on ensuring families do not apply a permanent solution to a temporary situation. They support all members of the expectant families considering adoption.
Concerned United Birthparents (CUB)
CUB is the only national organization focused on birthparents – their experiences, healing and wisdom. CUB serves all those touched by adoption and all who are concerned about adoption issues. Although their focus is on birthparents, long the forgotten people of the adoption community, they do welcome adoptees, adoptive parents, and professionals.
ISSR *
The International Soundex Reunion Registry is a non-profit, tax exempt, charitable organization founded in 1975. ISRR is a mutual consent reunion registry for persons desiring a reunion with next-of-kin. This agency serves the needs of family members who have been separated from each other by adoption, divorce, foster care, institutional care, abandonment, crisis, etc. * This is the ONE and ONLY registry that I suggest that EVERYONE who is searching register on!
Adoption Surveys
Giving a voice to those in adoption. Surveys are anonymous and are not sponsored. Respondents are able to freely to speak without worry. They make their work available to professionals for free.
All-Options
All-Options uses direct service and social change strategies to promote unconditional, judgment-free support for anyone dealing with pregnancy, parenting, abortion and adoption. They recognize these issues are vast and complex – but they know that everyone deserves to have all the options.
Adoptee Rights Law
DNA Help! *
Catherine Jacoby is seriously one of the best teachers I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I was floundering trying to learn about DNA and how to use it to search. Catherine has an amazing way of showing you how to work with DNA and how to actually visualize what you are doing. You’ll find her to be patient and she never makes you feel like a moron – which is exactly the way I felt before I worked with her!!! Her rates are super reasonable. You can also hire her to do your entire search. Talk with her and then work with her. You won’t be sorry. *Catherine is the only searcher that I recommend.
DNAAdoption
DNAAdoption is a team of volunteer genealogists, citizen scientists, geneticists and IT professionals who provide education, guidance and support to anyone worldwide who wants to use DNA testing to find their roots. They offer a wealth of information, classes and search/support groups. This is an excellent resource!!
BLOGS
Kitty Coopers Blog
One of my favorite blogs on DNA and Genealogy – Kitty is a blogger, genetic genealogist, genealogist, programmer, retired web designer, speaker, mother, grandmother, gardener, dog lover, cat lover, and World Champion Bridge player. What more could you ask for in a blog?
We Spill the Beans
Anne Heffron
What can I say about Anne Heffron? She’s a new friend of mine and I’m so glad to know her. Anne is an adoptee and an incredible writer. She’s the author of the must read memoir You Don’t Look Adopted. She has an incredibly honest voice and provides a true look at what it means to live as an adoptee. It makes for great reading!
PODCASTS
Adoptees On
I give this weekly podcast 10 stars!! This is the place where adoptees discuss the entire adoption experience. Host Haley Radke does an amazing job of tackling everything you can think of. There is something for everyone!! You will walk away feeling better! This is the one blog all adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents should listen to. Really – anyone that loves and adopted person should tune in!!
BOOKS
The Girls Who Went Away – The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade
This was one of the hardest books, emotionally, for me to read. It’s a great read and I suggest all adoptees should read this book.
The Primal Wound
One of the most important books ever written about adoptees and life-long consequences of the ‘primal wound’. This book is considered the Adoptee Bible and provides information about pre- & perinatal psychology, attachment, bonding & the effects of loss. You owe it to yourself to read this book – You’ll really understand yourself so much better.
I wish I had read this book years ago. This was like holding up a mirror and seeing myself. How I wish my adoptive parents had been able to read this book. Perfect for anyone who loves an adoptee or is planning on adopting.
You Don’t Look Adopted
Unbelievably honest memoir by Anne Heffron that will have you laughing, crying, cringing and shaking your head in agreement as she digs for her roots.
The Body Keeps Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma
Due to the trauma of adoption, a large percentage of adoptees deal with physical and mental issues. This is THE book on trauma and is perfect for anyone who is interested in understanding how traumatic stress impacts the human body.
One last thing – I take part in the Amazon Affiliate program and if you decide to purchase any of these books through the provided links I will receive a small amount of money for providing the links. Just wanted you to know – thanks!
