An Interview with Maria, On Finding Birth Family During a Pandemic

On Episode 9 of the Adoptee Thoughts Podcast, Maria, and host, Melissa Guida-Richards discuss how they handled finding birth family during a pandemic, the nuances of sharing the journey with adoptive parents, and how being adopted has impacted their parenting.   My name is Maria Fernanda. I am a Transracial Adoptee. I was born in Quito, Ecuador, South America. I was adopted at age 2 and brought to the United States where I have lived ever since. I have always known I was adopted, but it was not really until I was pregnant with my first child that I began to feel that I wanted to search for answers. It has been thirteen years since I began my journey to deep healing and self-discovery. Right before the world shifted due to the pandemic, I began doing more intense birth family searching. Suddenly, I found my birth mother, my birth father, and my birth siblings. The journey to healing does not end for adoptees, in fact, once the reunion occurs it is as if we go back to the beginning with everything. My hope is to share my story, connect with other adoptees, and give support.   Instagram: A Butterfly Series   -------- To read more of the work by your host Melissa Guida-Richards, check out guida-richards.com, or the podcast's website adopteethoughts.com.   My book is now available for preorder and in stores on October 5th! 📖What White Parents Should Know About Transracial Adoption: An Adoptee's Perspective on Its History, Nuances, and Practices   Social: Twitter Instagram Facebook   Mailing List: Subscribe Here