Voices of Adoption amplifies authentic stories from across the adoption triad - birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive families - along with adoption service providers. Host Donna Pope, Executive Director of Heart To Heart Adoptions and Clinical Mental Health Counselor and her co-host Nathan Gwilliam, founder & former CEO of Adoption.com, create a safe space for honest conversations about the complexities of adoption. Birth parents share their journeys of love, loss, and healing. Adoptees discuss identity, belonging, and their lived experiences. Adoptive families open up about challenges and beautiful moments. Adoption service providers offer insights from their professional experience supporting families throughout the process. Each episode bridges different perspectives within the adoption community, helping listeners understand that every adoption story is unique yet connected by common threads of resilience and hope. These conversations don't shy away from difficult emotions or complex questions. Instead, they honor the full spectrum of adoption experiences with empathy and respect. Join us for stories that educate, inspire understanding, and remind us that every voice in the adoption community matters.
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Voices of Adoption amplifies authentic stories from across the adoption triad - birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive families - along with adoption service providers. Host Donna Pope, Executive Director of Heart To Heart Adoptions and Clinical Mental Health Counselor and her co-host Nathan Gwilliam, founder & former CEO of Adoption.com, create a safe space for honest conversations about the complexities of adoption. Birth parents share their journeys of love, loss, and healing. Adoptees discuss identity, belonging, and their lived experiences. Adoptive families open up about challenges and beautiful moments. Adoption service providers offer insights from their professional experience supporting families throughout the process. Each episode bridges different perspectives within the adoption community, helping listeners understand that every adoption story is unique yet connected by common threads of resilience and hope. These conversations don't shy away from difficult emotions or complex questions. Instead, they honor the full spectrum of adoption experiences with empathy and respect. Join us for stories that educate, inspire understanding, and remind us that every voice in the adoption community matters.
Twin Adoptee Uncovers Native American Heritage at 52
Voices of Adoption
2 months ago
Twin Adoptee Uncovers Native American Heritage at 52
In this episode of Voices of Adoption, hosts Donna Pope and Nathan Gwilliam interview Julie Ryan McGue, whose medical needs at 52 sparked a transformative search journey with her identical twin sister. Their five-year quest through Illinois's evolving adoption system led to wonderful discoveries, including their Native American heritage and connections with half-siblings living nearby.
A Journey of Growth
Julie shares how she worked through the confidential intermediary system and navigated different perspectives within her family about adoption search. With patience and professional support, she eventually connected with her birth mother, who had maintained privacy about the twins for decades. Their relationship grew from initial hesitation to ongoing contact and mutual healing.
Building Understanding
Julie emphasizes how adoption creates complex identity questions alongside love and belonging, advocating for counseling support during search and reunion processes. Her story showcases how adoptees can honor both their adoptive families and birth connections while finding their complete identity. The special bond she shared with her twin sister throughout their upbringing and search provided unique strength and perspective.
This episode shows how adoption creates opportunities for expanded family connections and personal growth when approached with understanding and support.
Discover resources for adoption search and reunion by subscribing to Voices of Adoption.
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Goodreads:
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Email:
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Books:
Twice a Daughter:
https://www.amazon.com/Twice-Daughter-Search-Identity-Belonging/dp/1647420504
Belonging Matters:
https://www.amazon.com/Belonging-Matters-Conversations-Adoption-Kinship/dp/1958714801
Twice the Family:
https://www.amazon.com/Twice-Family-Memoir-Love-Sisterhood/dp/164742786X
Voices of Adoption
Voices of Adoption amplifies authentic stories from across the adoption triad - birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive families - along with adoption service providers. Host Donna Pope, Executive Director of Heart To Heart Adoptions and Clinical Mental Health Counselor and her co-host Nathan Gwilliam, founder & former CEO of Adoption.com, create a safe space for honest conversations about the complexities of adoption. Birth parents share their journeys of love, loss, and healing. Adoptees discuss identity, belonging, and their lived experiences. Adoptive families open up about challenges and beautiful moments. Adoption service providers offer insights from their professional experience supporting families throughout the process. Each episode bridges different perspectives within the adoption community, helping listeners understand that every adoption story is unique yet connected by common threads of resilience and hope. These conversations don't shy away from difficult emotions or complex questions. Instead, they honor the full spectrum of adoption experiences with empathy and respect. Join us for stories that educate, inspire understanding, and remind us that every voice in the adoption community matters.
