Today, I’m delighted to share this video trailer of a book called Open Adoption, Open Heart written by the adoptive father of two beautiful children, and fellow-contributor to Adoption Voices Magazine, Russell Elkins.
Stories like this, and people like Russell, give me hope for the future of adoption. His children will never have to wonder what their heritage is; they will never have to act “as if” they are someone they aren’t. The gift of open adoption ensures they will grow up in a loving home yet still retain ties to their tribe.
Will they experience some sort of trauma as a result of being adopted? Probably.
That said, I expect that because they are not being asked to pretend to be someone they aren’t, coupled with the fact that they are still connected to their family of origin, will lessen the impact of that trauma. They have an excellent chance of growing up with a confidence in who they are that many adoptees from the closed system don’t have.
I have not yet read Russell’s book but I’ll be downloading in onto my Kindle later today and it will move to the top of my “to read” list. I hope you’ll consider putting it on your list too.
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Thanks for posting this, Linda. I love knowing someone is reading my story. I’d love to hear what you think when you’re finished. Russell
You’re more than welcome, Russell.
What a lovely book trailer, congrats Russell.
I agree, Linda, it will be so interesting to see how children placed in open adoptions fare into adulthood. As someone who spend much of my childhood wondering who my birth mom was, looking for her face in the crowd, I hope that kids with parents like Russell will thrive in the knowledge that so many people do love them, and that there’s no secrecy or stigma.
Laura
Laura
I’m with you, Laura. You and I were brought yo under a shroud of secrets despite the love of our adoptive parents who, listening to the experts of the time, thought we didn’t need the truth. I look forward to the research of the future about open adoption.
It sounds like a fascinating and important story. Thanks for showing us, Linda.
It is important, Christine.
Being Russell’s father, I have known his story from the beginning. I also have come to know and love the birth families of both of his children. Though it isn’t a smooth road, open adoption can be the road to the expansion of love for many many people. Russell’s story is a testiment to the love that abounds, that is waiting to be expanded, and the love of birth families by the adoptive parents and the children that bring all of this together. A great read, a true story.
Thanks for stopping by, Bryan. And thank you for raising a fine son who, in turn, is raising children who are blessed to be part of your family.
I think we all want “our” complete story. What a great story. Thanks for helping to tell it.
Dear Linda, you continue,with your postings, to being me into a word that I truly have never known. I don’t think I’ve ever known a person who was adopted. And so you are my mentor here. Thank you. Peace.
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