Dana: The Truth Worth Finding
S13, Ep. 5: Dana
Dana was born at St. John’s Hospital in Cleveland in 1973. She was adopted through Catholic Charities in November of 1973. Her adoption was never kept a secret from her, but she still wondered where she came from. She was able to find her biological mother’s name after the state of Ohio released her OBC
(Original Birth Certificate). Sadly, she also found out her biological mother had passed away, and there was no name given for her biological father.
She could have given up her search after finding an obituary for her biological mother, but she didn’t. With encouragement from her family and friends, she reached out to her first mother’s sister and, through her, connected with more family. She received a false lead from her aunt that made her believe
her biological father had passed away, but an Ancestry DNA test led her to the truth and four paternal half-brothers. Today, Dana shares her story through podcasts and blog posts, and she is writing a memoir called A Girl and Her Four Families. She believes every adoptee has the right to know where
they came from, and even if it comes with heartbreak, the emotional roller coaster is always worth it.
Thank you to our Patrons! Join at the $10 level and be part of our monthly ADOPTEE CAFE community. The next meeting will be Saturday, November 21st at 1 pm ET.
RESOURCES for Adoptees:
Adoptees who identify as queer gathering in community on Zoom: For details, email adopteequeer@gmail.com and on Instagram.
Celia Center Inc., a non-profit organization in Los Angeles
supporting all members of the foster care and the adoption constellation.
Gregory Luce and Adoptee Rights Law
Fireside Adoptees Facebook Group
Dr. Liz Debetta: Migrating Toward Wholeness Movement
Moses Farrow - Trauma therapist and advocate
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255 OR Dial or Text 988.
