We have compiled stories from Adoptees, Birth Parents, Adoptive Parents, and other professional organizations that support the idea that healing begins with the right to know one’s own origin. If you would like to be a part of The Adoptee Story Project, please join us for more information.

Adoptee Community Testimonials

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  • "When I think about trying to get my original birth certificate from the state of Michigan, I feel like I'm fighting a monster I don't understand."

    Kasey, Macomb County Adoptee

  • "Having my original birth certificate is my truth and my right to have. It shows where I came from and that there is a name I can trace back my actual ancestry to, not my adoptive one."

    Gretchen Weible, South Dakota Adoptee

  • "First/birth mothers are not informed their child's original birth certificate will be sealed and they definitely do not want them treated differently than non-adopted adults."

    Renee Gelin, Founder Saving Our Sisters

  • “I was going to try to get my OBC last year and I seem to remember the Confidential Intermediary charging around $250, but when they find your parent they can still say no. Luckily I had an ancestry match and did not need to use it.”

    Heather, Wayne County Detroit Adoptee

  • "The surrender document I signed clearly stated that I relinquished "all rights to, in, and concerning said child forever." That included HER birth certificate - forever!"

    Jo Swanson, Wayne County Birth Mother, Alger County Resident.

  • "I never knew sealing birth certificates upon adoption finalization was done. My child's adoption was open – so why aren't his records?"

    Renee Gelin, First Mother

  • "Having my original birth certificate unlocked my past, and bittersweet feelings turned into joy and possibilities."

    Dana, Ohio Adoptee

  • "Until I received my OBC I felt like my first identity didn't matter to anyone."

    Mary, Michigan Adoptee, Owosso Resident

  • "I paid $250 for a horrible, anxiety inducing experience with a Michigan Confidental Intermediary. I ended up not using her because I didn't like being told to bare my soul in a letter that might end in rejection."

    Pamela, Oakland County Adoptee, Oak Park Resident.

  • "I knew every detail on my sealed OBC and it still took the state of Michigan 20 years to allow me to see in writing who I really was."

    Kasey, Macomb County Adoptee

  • "Working with Michigan to obtain my OBC was only possible because my birthmother was deceased and the man she said was my father signed consent."

    Mary, Owosso Adoptee

  • “I have spent the majority of my life believing that my voice and my rights as a citizen of this country don’t matter as much as someone else’s.”

    Rebekah, Ingham County Adoptee, Ann Arbor Resident

  • "We were born with shame, let us live with equal rights."

    Michele, Michigan Adoptee

  • "I was adopted in 1986, and while I was able to identify my bio parents - I firmly believe it's my right to access my original birth certificate."

    Emily F., Macomb County Adoptee

  • "There are many times where I feel that my identity is being held hostage."

    Renee, Ingham County, East Lansing, Michigan adoptee

  • "My original birth certificate being sealed meant my original identity died. I should have been issued a death certificate at the same time my amended birth certificate was issued."

    Tracy, Jackson County Adoptee, Livingston County Resident

  • “I did Ancestry DNA and a Search Angel found my bio family in 5 days.”

    Sue, Detroit Adoptee, Ogemaw County Resident

  • “Just because I was unwanted doesn’t mean I should have any less rights than other human beings in this world. It is a matter of equity and discrimination.”

    Rebekah, Ingham County Adoptee, Ann Arbor Resident.