Who Am I Really?

Singer Song writer Jenni Alpert, commonly referred to by her birth name, Cami had a wonderful life supported by her adoptive parents as she pursued the performing arts. After her adoptive father passed away, she learned that her biological mother had too. Her maternal connections went well over time, but her paternal side remained a mystery. Locating her birth father was one thing… doing reconnaissance, ensuring her safety, and tapping into over a decade of her various volunteer experiences with people who’s lives were in the streets was something different. In their story you’ll hear the dedication of a daughter who found her birth father down and out, accepted him as he was , and worked hard to find a pathway for them to reunite and share their love of music. This is Jenni’s journey. Photo:Cami (aka Jenni Alpert) and her birth father Don Photo credit: Jeff Fasano  Here’s a link to the news story I referenced: https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/father-and-daughter-duo-reunited-in-song

After 52 years in adoption, Mary never had a desire to locate her birth family. Her feeling was they had given her up, so she didn’t really want to share how well she turned out. Still, Mary obtained her non-identifying information in 1999, to satisfy medical history curiosity. On Christmas eve 2017 she emailed her birth mother who replied within hours, and the two were connected. The only thing left was to reach out to her birth father, who didn’t know she was alive. The post 054 – I Just Want To Sit And Be At Peace appeared first on Who Am I...Really? Podcast. Mary (https://www.temi.com/editor/t/u3tkCT1A-xZd3ns2nGXdmURcwjrRo91-fB1cWqF1fQw0XMJz8M3tqAVjiSlXEa1AnfdNmlcwocRrTa7pizC0sNInU_M?loadFrom=SharedLink&ts=4.19 (00:04)): I can tell you that the relationship that I'm developing with her is beyond what I ever thought it would be. And it's almost like I just want to sit and be at peace with this before I open up something else. Damon (https://www.temi.com/editor/t/u3tkCT1A-xZd3ns2nGXdmURcwjrRo9

Rebecca always knew she was adopted, but she also recognized that she didn’t quite fit with her adopted family. While she loved them a lot, she noticed physical and personality differences between them. She was taller with a different skin tone than them. She’s an extrovert raised by introverts and she calls herself a circuitous thinker that was raised by linear thinkers. When her own child was born, then got sick, Rebecca thought to herself “I’ve got to find these people” and began her reunion journey. But the laborious process to try to uncover identifying information in Washington, D.C. is closed adoption system seemed to be a daunting task, especially after her child got well. Rebecca says that she wasn’t really looking for her relatives at the time reunion found her. A friend of hers, who is also an adoptee, had extra DNA test that she was sending off to people as part of her own search, so she gave Rebecca a spare test. After reading through her biological connections on AncesteryDNA she was able to fin

With extra time on her hands, Jennifer used a Search Angel to locate her biological relatives. She connected with her maternal Aunt over Facebook Messenger, simultaneously emailing her birth father using his contact info from LinkedIn. Hoping for a connection to her biological mother, the pendulum swung in the other direction after her mother rejected her. Jennifer recovered almost immediately with a loving connection to her biological father whom she has a natural bond with. I hope you’ll remember David’s amazing story, in episode 15 http://bit.ly/2S8ORvO_015 (“We Wish We Could Have Grown Up Together”). He remembered the day, when he was a boy, when his family brought home a baby girl. Jennifer is David’s lifetime sister. The post http://www.whoamireallypodcast.com/025-2/ (025 – I Feel So Lucky, I Got Way More Than I Bargained For) appeared first on http://www.whoamireallypodcast.com (Who Am I...Really? Podcast). Jennifer (https://www.temi.com/editor/t/__Y-_hLEKle5tTMKGLVLC2TTBI8AK5ehMu

David tried to find his birth mother in the early 90’s in California. He received non-identifying information back then, but it wasn’t much to act on at the time. Later, in 2015, motivated by his wife and his “lifetime sister”, he embarked on an intense collaboration with his adoption search angel Priscilla. Together they discovered his mother’s name and her location. David found an incredible photograph of his mother in the public library’s archives and was hopeful he would meet her soon. Unfortunately, he was too late to meet her in person. But in the end, he gained a full blooded sister that he didn’t even know he had. They get along great, and wish that they had grown up together. The post http://www.whoamireallypodcast.com/015-david-b/ (015 – We Wish We Could Have Grown Up Together) appeared first on http://www.whoamireallypodcast.com (Who Am I...Really? Podcast). David (https://www.temi.com/editor/t/y7Qs08W1aCYLx71hSTItbAjBuzka8mJjxFNDlv9U3HFR-_5c397rr2W0ujkHBKboC7GTVqVVlyRokO0AYvFH-0l5nz4?loadFrom

Mary is 78, but she still has stinging memories of her mother leaving her in another woman’s guardianship. The era was the Great Depression but her mother wanted to go out and have fun without the responsibility of raising In guardianship she was sexually abused, then her guardian blamed her for the economic hardship in that house when the abuser left the home. Mary had grown too independent to reunite with her mother. But despite the trials of her life, she made sure to be the best mother she could possibly be when her children needed her. Read Full Transcript Mary:                          https://www.temi.com/editor/t/-X4uXD2PQjEaXlXoPqYq3JS_y-i3VtpcHfnOPpjhUAcux_iEf1BT2Bl2pLhkTpdb2F4kjU7OsO99J5l80UEFqHgPLDw?loadFrom=DocumentDeeplink&ts=2.45 (00:02)               They would tell me, well, sh

Marni grew up in Madison, WI in a transracial family that lived a predominantly white community. Everywhere they went, they were stared at for the heterogeneity they brought to the community. The attention their family received was a constant reminder of their own racial diversity, but Marni’s father seemed to have wise and crafty ways to turn the tables to make his own children feel more comfortable. Still, Marni’s family had some internal dysfunction that fed her desire to search for her biological family always wanted to find her biological family. Initially, she thought things with her biological mother were going to be great, but it turned out that her biological father was the one she had the deepest connection to. Marni makes her living supporting foster youth in the Washington, DC area, pulling from her own experiences as an adoptee to uplift others. Read Full Transcript Marni:                          https://www.temi.com/editor/t/bTCf0yIB3mZz5IOFJIca6LvVBnLDfTMyvgCyN9WEVKlGCsWk6rh

Elise has always been into genealogy and loved looking at family photos & records when she was a child. As a child of adoption, she wondered where her family of origin was? Reunion has had its ups and downs for Elise. The experience with her birth father’s family has been great over the last 20 years. She’s used her genealogy skills to solve a mystery about her paternal grandfather. Elise keeps a door open for communication if her mother or maternal family want contact, yet she understands and accepts that her mother may not be in a position to have a relationship. Elise says, “I am so appreciative of my journey, the good and the bad parts because getting to work out some of the puzzle pieces of my story and my paternal grandfather’s has been a gift and has helped me have a better sense of self and wholeness.”   Read Full TranscriptElise:                         

When Sean was a kid, he found out he was adopted. That news created some conflict in him and challenged his identity. He began to rebel against his adopted parents, but some sage wisdom from his grandmother quickly set him straight. Sean returned to loving and appreciating the family he was a part of, but his desire to understand his identity never left. Older and married to his high school sweetheart, Sean’s family began to grow. He said that seeing his world in his oldest daughter’s eyes made him even more sensitive to his biological mother’s tough choice to let him go. After Sean finally mailed his introductory letter to his biological mother, which he had re-drafted several times over the years, he was finally able to reunite with her. He learned some of the ways that he’s just like his mother, and how one of his childhood sports heroes is actually his cousin! Read Full Transcript Sean:                            https://www.temi.com/editor/t/9Ai-yOSCi-FCnkNYDw89eyEWPt

Growing up Joi tried to convince herself that being adopted didn’t bother her because she had such a great family. But in reality, great parents did not erase the fact that she didn’t know her birth parents. She laments that never saw anyone who looked like her, and of course, she could never answer a doctor’s questions about her health history. After connecting with a close cousin on AncestryDNA, they began a search through the family tree to locate her birth mother. After the state of New Jersey opened adoptee birth records, the cousins learned exactly who Joi was related to, and that their search had been off track. After receiving her original birth certificate (OBC), she was able to connect with her birth mother and her birth father in a story of joyous reunion befitting a woman named Joi. Since her interview originally aired in August 2017 Joi has published her adoptee memoir, “https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Joi-Story-Faith-Family/dp/1733631402/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=finding+joi&qid=1558748647&s=ga

You probably know by now that I’ve written book to share my story, just like so many of our crib mates who have documented their own stories. It’s called https://amzn.to/2Y9RNf8 (Who Am I Really, An Adoptee Memoir). In this episode I introduce my own story, and recap lessons learned from the Who Am I Really podcast. Read Full Transcript Damon:                       https://www.temi.com/editor/t/xIlyTdHf1ZaHKloX4KHo3XY0L-PJZsfk79d12X7lfsA0M1hhI_wtWZ_wQAK3QXJuyl3zb0-71_lOnJhC8_0rBuXu4X8?loadFrom=DocumentDeeplink&ts=0.12 (00:00)               I want to start by thanking all of you for listening to the show. I wasn’t sure this would turn into anything meaningful when I first brainstormed, Who Am I Really? But your comments on episodes, ratings on apple podcasts, personal notes and contributions on Patreon have me

Steve, from London, Ontario, Canada shares his story of being adopted after his mother lost a child. Steve and his mother never connected, in fact, she stifled his social development and seemed to be holding him back because he didn’t look like their family, and didn’t fit in. As a teen, Steve was out on his own in the streets when he learned that he had fathered a child – that’s when he became a single father. In reunion, he found a connection to his birth mother, but her empty promises ended with rejection that surprised him. Read Full Transcript Damon:                       https://www.temi.com/editor/t/W9k-YyLJ5dESS_5WDL2WRXpg0_RU3h3gLeDymVTYpofJLu-wbfyrk0uIuhb2WmBQ-L9i21Tpy1QB_kM-4redUgga9Vo?loadFrom=DocumentDeeplink&ts=0.03 (00:00)               Hey there. I just wanted to

Sandee shared the story of her life with an adopted brother who was coddled by their mother, so much so, that it reinforced her own natural position as a Daddy’s girl. That favoritism forced Sandee’s independence from her mother, but also created a bit of a rift between them. Locating her birth mother happened very quickly once she was offered some search assistance. But when those same volunteers couldn’t find anything about her birth father, Sandee questioned whether her birth mother had been honest about her conception. Luckily, when the truth was finally revealed through DNA, Sandee’s life turned out to be proof of something her paternal half-sister already suspected. Read Full TranscriptSandee:                       https://www.temi.com/editor/t/CsX-0KQm4fTelAWz6m9iosMwpPwhzl6GyEiBGVwP6QVUPCsDpEgy_I0rHd-vzjybtvgzPMQqPurnYz6xi9V1TId9Nnk?loadFrom=DocumentDeeplink&ts=2.19 (00:02)  

Sandee shared the story of her life with an adopted brother who was coddled by their mother, so much so, that it reinforced her own natural position as a Daddy’s girl. That favoritism forced Sandee’s independence from her mother, but also created a bit of a rift between them. Locating her birth mother happened very quickly once she was offered some search assistance. But when those same volunteers couldn’t find anything about her birth father, Sandee questioned whether her birth mother had been honest about her conception. Luckily, when the truth was finally revealed through DNA, Sandee’s life turned out to be proof of something her paternal half-sister already suspected. Read Full TranscriptSandee:                       https://www.temi.com/editor/t/CsX-0KQm4fTelAWz6m9iosMwpPwhzl6GyEiBGVwP6QVUPCsDpEgy_I0rHd-vzjybtvgzPMQqPurnYz6xi9V1TId9Nnk?loadFrom=DocumentDeeplink&ts=2.19 (00:02)  

Paul grew up in a family where he didn’t look like his parents, his father was Mexican and his mother was Japanese. In his childhood, his mother turned incredibly harsh and abusive, especially toward his sister. Searching for his birth mother, Paul made a misstep when he didn’t follow the advice of his search angel, and it cost him a valued relationship. Luckily he was able to connect with his half-siblings on both sides, but one relationship ended abruptly when a spouse fired his gun at Paul! All told, Paul found links to his personal history, and that’s given him the identity he was seeking. Read Full TranscriptPaul:                            https://www.temi.com/editor/t/kqWCiH8F_kXkW4s9mBXI5hm8DBVAPf9g--ONxOi6fzgZ7iRkNcuXhMJwc_wdMUkJ34K6Pkwv8-lJO4yVcvkPoAaWhpQ?loadFrom=DocumentDeeplink&ts=2.03 (00:02)&nb

  Megan grew up in an affluent suburb of Chicago and was comfortable with her adoption, but curious about her start in life. After pregnancy, “I struggled with mental health problems and became addicted to narcotics and anti-anxiety meds.” When she met her maternal relatives, things went well until her aunt shunned her for her addiction recovery. On her paternal side, that same news, being in recovery, was met with acceptance, because we all have our challenges. More than anything, Megan is thankful to finally have a sister, and it’s someone listeners already know. (http://www.whoamireallypodcast.com/071-i-would-give-anything-to-hear-his-voice/) Read Full TranscriptMegan:                        https://www.temi.com/editor/t/-eyfsyoEzJftmV5oq7Q7Y_HAXFV7ReXqF38W8AT7LmTUx568IL0Qv78WkT5LdNRlSwbc1DvosQRG71ajs9pFYLIeSmk?loadFrom=DocumentDeeplink&ts=3.55 (00:03)&nb

Amanda describes her childhood with a father she considered to be a hero and a mother whom she loves despite her physical and mental abuse while showing favoritism toward her sister. She always wanted to search for her birth parents, scouring her house for information about herself when she was a kid. Unable to endure the abuse against herself and her brother Amanda called social services, after which she was disowned. When she finally obtained her adoption records she found one birth parent was deceased, and the other didn’t want contact yet. Read Full TranscriptAmanda:                      https://www.temi.com/editor/t/IRGJyNHhZZ-HJe2cZGIaBhw4e-slB9clARrNi2YnhjDsxFJboTis30siPbDjEotqxP67TA4jxIGXsRM6A5S3znZ0xmQ?loadFrom=DocumentDeeplink&ts=2.26 (00:02)               I want him to contact me whe

Kyle tells the story of growing up, towering over his mother and sister and looking very different from them, but being loved. Locating his birth mother he was amazed to see someone he looked like but struggled to get along with as she battled her own pain. In the end, he was able to truly connect to his Native American heritage while discovering the pain that was deep within him. His experience inspired him to write two songs. Read Full Transcript Kyle:                            https://www.temi.com/editor/t/jXFXcrZaEH2w5vIyyK6eNbcXgFIM7d2QGnC8QTrDcJgzfHS2UAr9EuSqQ40aKSbsQcefDlTSOrTFlDkbWq63gfscBTY?loadFrom=DocumentDeeplink&ts=3.15 (00:03)               And that’s the thing is she’s a great person. It was just very hard towards the end to have the relationship be

Daniela was born in a small mining town in Chile. Adopted by a German family who moved from South America to Miami, she never felt like she belonged. While struggling as a teenager and burning to know more about her own heritage she was psychoanalyzed and medicated by doctors, and she wanted to end it all. When she found her maternal sisters online their reunion in Chile was lovely. Later when Daniela’s paternal sisters found her online, the maternal family said they never wanted to hear from her again. Daniela’s reunion with her paternal family has helped her get in touch with her roots and feel whole for the first time in her life.   Read Full TranscriptDaniela:                       https://www.temi.com/editor/t/RRbcGb20W_9itOY_Vs6f3vX2I2nhim4fGydOcalLuQBC7BiD0CUlJ1T8eWDC3y8gKtQR4sxdcizJN2r8_qQfAqgzCb8?loadFrom=DocumentDeeplink&ts=2.59 (00:02)   &nbs

Kendra’s story is filled with peaks and valleys of emotion. After running far, far away in her teens, Kendra’s adopted mother blamed her for her adopted father’s demise. She and her mother were estranged for years until her adopted mother’s mortality changed their relationship. In reunion, her birth mother accepted her return but kept Kendra a secret. Decades later she had an amazing reunion with her siblings, only to find things were turning upside down at home. Read Full TranscriptKendra:                       00:05               I think that’s why I never really talked about my childhood with my kids. I just thought I’m just going to lock it up, you know, weld it behind this gate and it’s never. It can’t hurt if I don’t talk about it and that was a colossal parenting mistake. I do not recommend