Guest blogger, Damon L. Davis, is an adoptee, an adoptive parent, and the host of the “Who Am I Really?” podcast, where he shares the reunion stories of other adoptees. You can find the show anywhere you listen to podcasts, online at www.whoamireallypodcast.com, and follow the show on social media @WAIReally. Damon’s book “Who Am I Really? An Adoptee Memoir” recounts his amazing reunion with his biological mother, the accidental DNA discovery of his birth father, and all of his inner thoughts and emotions along the way.
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“I already have parents, why would I search for more.” After admitting I am an adoptee, that’s what I used to say when people asked if I wanted to find my biological family? I never wanted to search until my son, Seth, was born when I was 36 years old. It was an emotional moment when I realized he was the first blood relative I had ever known. His birth catalyzed my desire to find more natural relatives.
I was fortunate to grow up with two amazing parents who told me I was adopted when I was very young which allowed me to grow up with that knowledge. After a brief search I had an incredible reunion with my biological mother — she was working only two blocks away in Washington, D.C. and I surprised her at her job, on her birthday, for our reunion — I told my heartwarming story to anyone who would listen. But as I spoke with more and more adoptees about their lives, I learned our lived experiences have some similarities, like wondering why we were placed for adoption, but the totality of our personal journeys are very different. That’s why I launched the “Who Am I Really?” podcast to help other adoptees share their stories of adoption and their attempts to reunite with their biological families.
My life’s journey — through adoption, adopting my own children, witnessing the birth of my son, and facing the unknown seeking adoption reunion — was a roller coaster of emotions and experiences. In hindsight, I wouldn’t change a thing. All of what I’ve lived is part of who I am. Many adoptees feel the same way because part of who we are comes from our lived experiences. However, much of who we are comes from our heredity. Physical characteristics, personality traits, and our likes and dislikes are all things we get from our natural parents.Guest blogger, Damon L. Davis, is an adoptee, an adoptive parent, and the host of the “Who Am I Really?” podcast, where he shares the reunion stories of other adoptees. You can find the show anywhere you listen to podcasts, online at www.whoamireallypodcast.com, and follow the show on social media @WAIReally. Damon’s book “Who Am I Really? An Adoptee Memoir” recounts his amazing reunion with his biological mother, the accidental DNA discovery of his birth father, and all of his inner thoughts and emotions along the way.
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“I already have parents, why would I search for more.” After admitting I am an adoptee, that’s what I used to say when people asked if I wanted to find my biological family? I never wanted to search until my son, Seth, was born when I was 36 years old. It was an emotional moment when I realized he was the first blood relative I had ever known. His birth catalyzed my desire to find more natural relatives.
I was fortunate to grow up with two amazing parents who told me I was adopted when I was very young which allowed me to grow up with that knowledge. After a brief search I had an incredible reunion with my biological mother — she was working only two blocks away in Washington, D.C. and I surprised her at her job, on her birthday, for our reunion — I told my heartwarming story to anyone who would listen. But as I spoke with more and more adoptees about their lives, I learned our lived experiences have some similarities, like wondering why we were placed for adoption, but the totality of our personal journeys are very different. That’s why I launched the “Who Am I Really?” podcast to help other adoptees share their stories of adoption and their attempts to reunite with their biological families.
