How does a transracial adoptee navigate the intricate tapestry of identity, culture, and belonging? Join us as Maria Fernanda, a passionate advocate and voice for adoptees, shares her heart-wrenching yet empowering journey from Quito, Ecuador, to her adoptive home in the United States. Maria's story is one of resilience and determination, as she unveils the emotional complexities of birthdays as an adoptee, the painstaking process of uncovering adoption records, and the profound impact of reclaiming her identity and reconnecting with her birth family. Maria discusses her transformative work in co-creating Adoptees of Latin America plus Extended Latin Americas and Guia Nova, emphasizing the significance of community and support for those navigating similar paths. She opens up about the challenges of growing up in a family of a different race, the emotional nuances of international adoption, and the intense moments of "coming out of the fog" to face the realities of her past. Her journey is marked by poignant reunions with her birth mother, navigating medical documentation as an adoptee, and the emotional roller coaster of finding her biological family amidst a global pandemic. This episode is a testament to the importance of keeping adoptees' voices central in adoption conversations, highlighting the critical need for empathy, understanding, and trauma-informed care.  This episode marks the first of a two-part series.   Show notes: When Maria Fernanda found out she didn't really know her birthday We talk about the mix of feelings that come up around birthdays, especially for someone like Maria who was adopted.   The privilege of having access to personal documents in the Adoptee community Maria Fernand’s adoptive family dynamics Mari Fernanda challenge the "savior" narrative often associated with adoptive parents, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the birth families' circumstances and humanity The importance of centering the voices of adoptees and their first families, rather than solely highlighting the adoptive parents' actions. The complexities of growing up as a mixed-race adoptee in a predominantly white environment. Growing up as a mixed-race adoptee in a mostly white environment comes with its own set of challenges. A racist encounter Maria had outside her dance class is just one example The diverse experiences within the same household, highlighting how each adoptee's journey is unique. Maria Fernanda’s moment of "coming out of the fog” as she became a young mom. The emotional and logistical challenges faced by adoptees in navigating medical and personal history documentation The frustration of filling out forms at the OBGYN that lack an option for adoptees, highlighting the need for medical professionals to be more informed and empathetic.   Find Maria Fernanda: Instagram:  @abutterflyseries Adoptees of Latin America+ Extended Latin Americas: https://www.asa-extendedlatinamericas.com/creators Guia Nova: Instagram @guianovamentoring Patreon! https://patron.podbean.com/mixunderstoodpod    Follow Mixunderstood! Instagram: @mixunderstoodpod Facebook: @mixunderstoodpod Twitter/X: @Mix_understood Tik Tok: @mixunderstood.pod   Contact: Email: mixunderstoodpod@gmail.com   Music by Mathias Kunzli www.mathiaskunzli.com   Patreon! https://patron.podbean.com/mixunderstoodpod