Birth Moms Real Talk D. Yvonne Rivers

"Karen faced her 'own' birth secrets that she strived to 'untangle'. This gave Karen a unique experience as an adoptee confronted with finding her original birth certificate (OBC). Karen was passionate about the 'Real Talk' of adoption laws from state to state. She shared her story with passion, peace, and purpose. Karen had a straightforward attitude about societal pressures placed on birth/first moms in the United States. The essence of her story is that childhood experiences profoundly impact one's entire life."

Denise’s journey started with her own adoption and her first glimpse into trauma. She grew up in the Mennonite community in Pennsylvania . Denise and Yvonne had some common memories to share .
Secrets were prevalent in the family. Denise talked about her experience as a Mennonite and the expectations and acceptance from her parents.
She spoke about looking for love and her identity.
Becoming a mom at an early age was traumatic and caused her to leap into independence. Denise’s journey was full of surprise connections. She talked about her heart’s desire.

Patience experienced as many, a childhood of challenges. Her family was separated in dramatic fashion. At the age of 16, patience learned of a maternity home through her mother’s church affiliation. Her journey to motherhood involved traveling to the home for birth mothers with strangers. Her experience , as she said was in many ways better than her home. Patience felt lost, still in love, and knew the trauma of her childhood that she strived to overcome.

Monica was adopted at the age of 4 months. Her parents who adopted her from a foster home in Alaska saw her resilience grow to become a “strong young lady“ who exhibited her “power“. Monica loved the attention from her mother, she felt the need to be loved. Monica became resilient to overcome challenges and became the “ tomboy” in the family.
Monica experienced the infamous Alaska earthquake that traumatized many. Monica’s way of coping was to “stuff down deep inside” the dysfunction she experienced.
Facing signing relinquishment papers after giving birth in the hospital was overwhelming.
Monica is in reunion and states that she is experiencing her “destiny“ and is encouraging others to give themselves “Grace“ for Healing.
Monica has released her memoir after eight years of work, entitled “ Practically Still A Virgin", which is available on Amazon and other book outlets.

Lori spoke about her experience of becoming a mother as lonely and afraid. Lori talked about her uniqueness of being Jewish and the perspective of the guilt and shame placed on her. Lori experienced many traumas in her life that brought many challenges of “coping in life “.
She spoke about the “voices” in her ear that determined her own voice of asking herself “ if she was worthy. Lori traveled the road of many birth/first mothers of building the courage to “ Speak “ and share her story. She has found her “ Voice “.

Nicole -We are Told to Move On … Not Easy
Nicole exhibited strength beyond belief as many birth mothers. Nicole experienced many losses from the age of 5, she persisted.
Nicole’ resilience grew stronger with each trauma. She has built a relationship with her son in her open adoption.
Now, she is in the midst of one of her Biggest traumas. Listen as she shares her journe