really appreciated the book to hear other adoptee's stories and the struggles they have gone through, I connected with some chapters more than others, although that's to be expected, I do wish there was more concrete advice given for me it didn't live up to the "survival guide" name, However I think it's a valuable read, and definitely worth reading for anyone involved in the adoption triad who is interested in genuinely hearing what adoptees go through.
This book isnt just about how to survive being adopted and overwhelmed by government policies and archaic traditions and practices, Its more than that. This compilation of essays is a collective wisdom of many adopted adults from diverse countries, upbringings and educational experiences, These writers together share their personal views on the positive and notsopositive aspects of growing up adopted and how they view the world, Many nuggets of advice are applicable to all people from any walk of life, For example:
"You are not your past, ”
“Focus on the issues, not the person, because you can never change the person, but you can deal with the issues, ”
“Give up the illusion that someone else will make you happy, ”
The Adoptee Survival Guide is appropriately titled because by nature, we adopted folk have mad skills in self preservation and adaptation, Like a chameleon, we blend in when we need to, move quickly, observe quietly and have delicate hearts with cool dispositions, However, unlike a tiny lizard, this book shows that Adoptees today are learning to bond together, speak out and educate the modern public on what it's like to grow up as a product of both nature and nurture with conflicting feelings and unanswered questions about our lives, which nonadopted people often take for granted.
The diverse writings in this book are honest, entertaining and enlightening as they address a subject not often discussed or wellunderstood in this society, The Adoptee Survival Guide eliminates the labels adopted people have been assigned, such as "happy", "grateful" and "angry", If anything, it shows that adopted adults today strive to be known as inquisitive, educated, outspoken and reflective,
I am proud to be a contributing author in this unique anthology, which is fantastic reading for all members of the adoption constellation plus associated family members, professionals in social work, family court systems, education and other areas of child care and development.
There is plenty of literature out there, books, papers, magazines, editorials and independent presses all about adoption, Written by those who are either involved in the adoption area of childcare professionally or as adoptive parents actual or prospective,
What the global community lacks is the adult adoptee voice from the world diaspora, Books and material that those who have been adopted can turn to and hear the voice of those that have gone before, who have trodden the path that they are on.
Who have sat as they do, head in hands wondering, Or who suddenly find the torrent of in built emotions overwhelming, Or those that have reached maturity and suddenly find themselves questioning everything that has gone before,
This book is not just about survival, It's about equipping and stocking the tool box full of gadgets and gizmos, Enabling the adoptee and those affected and connected to adoption to deal with life and everything that surrounds you,
This is an anthology that brings together thirty extraordinary writers who unstintingly and unconditionally share with the reader their experience, their knowledge, their pain, their triumphs, fears and hopes.
If you really want to understand a small part of what it means to be an adoptee, culturally, socially and politically then this is definitely one book that you should read.
This collection opens a window into the actual experiences of adoptees who are now adults, Each shares their personal truth and offers insight into how we can support adoptees as their parents, partners and peers, Much of their message is painful to hear because it shines a light on the dark underbelly of adoption that is grounded in loss, grief and pain.
Truth is
often difficult to confront and it is important that we acknowledge and deal with it, Living with or in a lie is far more detrimental for all, Gayle H. Swift, Author, "ABC, Adoption amp Me: A Multicultural Picture Book"adoptee authors provide support, encouragement and understanding to other adoptees in facing the complexities of being adopted, embarking on search and reunion, fighting for equal access to identifying information, navigating complex family relationships with the latest technology, and surviving it all with a sense of humor.
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