On Saturday, I went to sit for a short time with a adoptee who had an exhibit table at a local adoption conference. The conference was sponsored by the North American Counsel for Adoptable Children. Her table had literature, etc. for the American Adoption Congress whose stated mission is:

The American Adoption Congress comprises individuals, families and organizations committed to adoption reform. We represent those whose lives are touched by adoption or other loss of family continuity.

We promote honesty, openness and respect for family connections in adoption, foster care and assisted reproduction. We provide education for our members and professional communities about the lifelong process of adoption. We advocate legislation that will grant every individual access to information about his or her family and heritage.

I joined the American Adoption Congress “AAC” a few years ago, but, have yet to become actively involved in the group. However, the more I hear about the group, I believe that its goals mesh with my own in adoption reform. In the past, they have had annual conferences, however, this year several regional conference are replacing the larger conference. Portland, Oregon is the site of one of their regional conferences, and I plan to attend this conference on August 12th.

Anyway, back to the conference sponsored by the North American Council on Adoptable Children (“NACAC”). Here is their link http://www.nacac.org/about.html. When I walked into the conference at the Civic Center in Long Beach, I knew little about the NACAC (not to be confused with NCFA). All I knew was that I would be in a roomful of people who promote adoption.

When I walked into the convention center, and saw table after table of information about adoption, I felt an odd sensation like I imagined that a black person walking into a Klu Klux Klan convention might feel. After I was introduced a few times as a birth mother, I felt a bit uneasy. I no longer hide my birth mother status, but, this was the first time that I had been at an adoption event of this kind, mostly with adoptive parents and professionals who facilitate adoptions. This conference was a new experience for me, and it took some courage for me to step out of my comfortable box.

I had a lengthy conversation with an adoptive dad at the conference, and it helped expand some of my understanding and appreciation of adoptive parents. He was very open, insightful and wise.

To Be Continued………………………………………………………………………