Anne-Grete: The Long Journey Home
S12, Ep. 16: Anne-Grete
Although born and adopted in London in 1967, Anne-Grete is a Norwegian adoptee. Her birth mother happened to be there when she gave birth, and her adoptive dad was stationed at the Norwegian Embassy at the time. She had two siblings, both adopted from different cities in Norway. After moving around the world with her family, she came back to Norway for good when she was 16. After finishing her studies and moving between jobs and homes several times, she finally settled in Mandal with her husband and their cat.
Anne-Grete was a "happy adoptee" until she reached her fifties, and had always associated her lack of roots and connection with her nomadic life in the foreign service. After being reunited with her birth mother for nine years in her twenties and early thirties, the reunion ended. It took 24 years and a better understanding of the consequences of adoption for her to try to reconnect with her. At the same time, she finally felt the need to find the other half and has connected with siblings on her birth father's side. She is still a secret in her biological family, but hopes that will change over time.
Finding the organization Adopterte played a large part in her coming out of the fog, and after being a member for two years, she was elected to the board. Adopterte is a non-profit organization working to raise awareness about the repercussions of adoption and spread information about the history and practice of adoption in Norway. They arrange meetups two to three times a year and also have a closed Facebook group where members can share their experiences and find adoptees in their area. Their website is www.adopterte.no
Season 12 Book: The Adoption Paradox by Jean Kelly Widner
Eventbrite Link: Live Podcast Event in Minneapolis, MN, Sept. 11th-13th
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RESOURCES for Adoptees:
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.
