Comments on: States Urged To Let Adoptees See Records

Report Cites "Overwhelmingly Positive" Outcomes In States With Open Records

[bmactexas1]

Genetic secrets kill!! It is imperative that adult adoptees be granted access to their adoption files if needed. I understand that some birth mothers/fathers need/want privacy but they can certainly see where medical history changes over the years. I was adopted 52 years ago and have needed medical history for years. I have had no luck locating my birth mother but hope I will find what I need before it is too late. In reality my birth parents are elderly and possibly dead. My children have a right to know their complete medical heritage also. If nothing else our records should be opened after the death of the birth parents.

[bmactexas1]

Genetic secrets kill!! It is imperative that adult adoptees be granted access to their adoption files if needed. I understand that some birth mothers/fathers need/want privacy but they can certainly see where medical history changes over the years. I was adopted 52 years ago and have needed medical history for years. I have had no luck locating my birth mother but hope I will find what I need before it is too late. In reality my birth parents are elderly and possibly dead. My children have a right to know their complete medical heritage also.

[emperkins]

The damage caused by the veil of secrecy surrounding adoption records is far reaching as it protects a system wrought with deception. Gladney Adoption in Ft. Worth, TX lied to my parents and me about complying with our placement requests. They fought me tooth and nail when I tried to get information and it was only through a Search Angel that my son was identified and located. The last 34 years have been hell, but at least now my fears over my son''s health and well-being have been relieved. But the torture Gladney imposed on me then and continues to impose today is cruel and unjust.

[tf14901]

I also am an adult adoptee who needs access to their medical records. I know who my biological parents are as my biological mother is the one on my birth certificate and she is now married to my biological father. However, the information that I need from my adoption records is for legal status of MY children. My biological parents want my records open and I want my records open but the state of Pennsylvania will NOT open them. Nor will they give a copy of the adoption records to my mother. I think ALL adoption records should become open once an adopted child turns 16 years of age.

[yoopermom]

My husband and I adopted our youngest son when he was 8 years old. He is now 13. He has expressed a desire to find his birth mother. I have a lot of information about her and her family. At this time though I don%u2019t feel it is in his best interested to contact her. (she has been diognosed with a seviere Bi-polar condition) I have told him that once he is older and more mature, I will do whatever I can to help him locate her. It shouldn%u2019t be too hard because we live in the same area. A couple of years ago, his Birth Mothers father passed away. I kept the death announcement from the paper so he can have the names of his aunts & uncles on her side of the family. He has regular contact with his birth fathers family and has spent a lot of time with his uncle and older brother. His birth father recently committed suicide and we took our son to the funeral. It helped him to have closure.

I hope everyone that is looking for a child or parent can get the information they need. My son is lucky that we have alot of the information he needs.

[dgdenton]

The Donaldson Institute report clearly debunks the myths that have surrounded adoption practices for the past 80 years. That does not mean that those who cherish the myths will suddenly see the light. Those who are in power will not give it up willingly regardless of the truth. The power has to be taken from them. This report which is based on solid research is another powerful bullet in our arsenal in the fight to open records for adoptees. Recall Aesop''s fable of the Wolf and the Lamb. No matter how reasonable the lamb''s argument may be, the wolf still had his supper i.e. the lamb.

[anitaymoore]

I am an adopted child myself and can see the preference for having knowledge...but personally, I believe that states should make it an option for the birth parent to seal the records if they so desire. NOT everyone wants to know where they come from (unlike what was said in the report)...I have NO desire to seek out my birth parents whatsoever. I''m not opposed to meeting them should they somehow find me...but I will not seek them out. I DO NOT think that files should automatically be open on adoptions, I think it should be the birth parents option at the time the child is given up...perhaps even give them the legal right to reverse that decision if they choose to at a later date. But it should not be an automatic by the states.

[anewman46]

I have been experiencing unbalanced blood pressure. The doctors have prescribed medication but based on their prof. advice it is crucial that I locate my biological parents for medical history. All records have been sealed for the time period I was adopted and it will take a court order to unseal them. Below is everything I know about me, please help for me and my children. I%u2019m am Aaron a 45 year old male who was born on Dec 22, 61. I was adopted in Jul 29, 63 and for many years I have wondered about bio parents. Don%u2019t get me wrong, I have been raised by two wonderful people who will always be my mom and dad because they love me and have given me the opportunity to lead the life I live now. Both of my adopted parents are in their late 70%u2019s and, due to failing health, are unable to help me find my bio parents. I presently have two beautiful girls, 17 & 12, who deserve the right to know their bio background - a right I cannot fulfill. Granted they have grandparents and that%u2019s not at all what I am looking for, but with your help I can find the truth of our roots. I am their dad an owe that to them both. If you can help in anyway here are the only facts that I am aware of: Birth City/State = Huntington, WV; Hospital = Cable Huntington Hosp; Agency = WV Dept of Welfare or WV Dept of Public Assist.; Adopted Name = Joseph Scott; Trail adoption date = Nov 62; Finial adoption date = Jul 29, 63; Contact: [e-mail] and [e-mail]

[emjay1941]

Adoptees are the only class of American citizens denied access to their own birth certificates. As "unwanted" infants we are made wards of the court. As adults we still find ourselves wards of the court by having to file a petition to access what every other American takes for granted...biological history, medical history and what our genetic makeup is. This isn''t about search and reunion. It is about basic civil rights being denied to one class of Americans.

[mscady7]

I am a birth mother who fortunately 7 years ago found my son. We have a wonderful, blessed, awesome relationship. We were both looking for each other. I do NOT think there should be open adoption records. As a birth mother and my son says the same thing, you have to be ''ready'' to find each other, emotionally, mentally, etc. Also as one person said -- will the birth mother have access to the records??? I DO understand the crying on their birthdays, wondering what their name is, are they ok , certain ages, etc. The way I found him was the internet---- post to ADOPTION message boards in the state you gave him/her up in to start with. Put in search: adoption. Then go from there. It took almost a year to find him but it was FREE. As for the medical history - I understand. The adoptive parents had the information from the ''home'' I had gone to but would not give it to him!! They just said: they are healthy. I am very blessed to have my son & daughter-in-law in my life.
Again -- not all reunions end happily, I know of some that didn''t. Fortunately, my son didn''t hate me for giving him up as I had always thought he might---he thanked me for giving him life !! One more thing -- remember: alot of women have not told anyone they had a baby and gave him/her up for adoption. The 1960''s etc was a very different time and unwed mothers were not looked upon very good.