There’s a price for freedom, and it involves doing your work. For Regina, this meant moving from a place of being “ok” about her adoption status, to being accepting of it. This was no easy task, because adoption was not discussed with her since the age of six, during an interrupted viewing of Soul Train. 40+ years later, the topic remained, hush. Consequently, Regina grappled with failed relationships, being loyal to a fault, and suppressing her feelings and emotions about who she was and how she came to be with her family.
After one critical event of begging a man to like her, she recognized that her unresolved issues about her adoption kept her from loving herself, and she begins working with a life coach. This is pivotal for her as she begins to speak truth to power, openly acknowledge her adoption, and embrace her calling to help others in this world.
This story solidifies how secrecy, stigma, shame, and silence are detrimental to adoptees being able to fully, heal. What’s an adoptee to do when it appears that society and adoptive/biological families express that adoptees should just move on with their lives and remain in the dark about where they come from? How do adoptees receive adequate medical care when a visit at the doctor’s office feels disempowering if you don’t have information about your health history? When the credits roll, is it not fair to admit that sometimes, reunions are “like a gift wrapped in sandpaper?”
We have questions, and the answers. Take a listen to Season 4, Episode 47. Share. Subscribe. Leave a review.
SHOW NOTES
CONNECT WITH US!
- Black to the Beginning on Instagram
- Black to the Beginning on Facebook
- Black to the Beginning on Youtube
RECOMMENDED ADOPTION RESOURCES
- LIFE COACHING: with Regina Smithwick
- READ: Adoption, the Unknown Blessing by Regina Smithwick
- WATCH: My Other Mother
- LISTEN: Voices of the Black Adoption Experience and African American adoptees on The Black Adoption Podcast
- REQUIRED READING: Black to the Beginning Reads Bookshop - A carefully curated list of #BTTBreads #BTTBreads
SUPPORT THE BLACK ADOPTION PODCAST
- SUPPORTER: Make a monthly contribution of $0.99, $4.99, or $9.99
- PayPal/Zelle: info@blacktothebeginning.com
- SHOP Black to the Beginning
SHARE YOUR BLACK ADOPTION STORY
#ADOPTION #THEBLACKFAMILY #MENTALHEALTH #SEARCHANDREUNION
Popular Podcasts
Hey Jonas!
Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.
Betrayal Weekly
Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.