DNA Surprises

Thank you so much for creating this amazing resource for all of us experiencing NPE. It’s such a blindsiding event in our lives, with no rule book. Proving a platform for people to share, and for us to learn, is invaluable. Thank you!!

Thank you for helping me heal through listening to these stories! I'm an NPE also and relate so much to you and your guests. You have given me words to describe the complex feelings a DNA surprise can cause. Knowing I'm not alone has been so helpful in my journey. Thank you!

I listen to podcasts as I make long drives. Today is my appointment to finalize the estate of my dad. I was 64 when I found him, and 65 when I lost him forever. I am thrilled that Deanna is about 1/2 my age when she found her family. She has hope of getting to know her dad. She got to meet her grandmother, and cousins. I heard her pain. Like her, I had a rough childhood. Darn, I never thought of a boarding school. For me it was the magic of summer camp that kept me sane. How did 7 days just once a year save me? We create mental shields to protect us until we can escape abuse. I once thought I was the only one. Then I found out my baby brother had a different father. Then talking with friends, many have revealed similar stories. There are millions of us. I’ve joined an NPE group. Strangers connected by empathy.

This is a safe space for those who, through a DNA test, find out that their birth father is not who they thought he was. Understandably, it is a terrible shock but sometimes the worst is yet to come when the reaction of the mother is denial and anger and/or the real father and his family reject the truth. The host of this podcast had her own DNA surprise and her understanding and the care she puts forth toward her guests is to be commended.