The Mothers' Stories Project

Origins-USA launched the Mothers' Stories Project to gather stories of mothers and fathers who lost children to adoption. If you are a parent who lost a child to adoption we invite you to SHARE YOUR STORY!

Stories are posted on the Origins-USA website and may be disseminated in book, video, or other format. Mothers' Stories help parents know they are not alone. Mothers' Stories let the public learn how the loss of a child affects parents.

It's easy to tell your story. Just complete the web form.  Origins-USA may edit your story for clarity, spelling, and punctuation. Your story with your name (or if you prefer, "anonymous") and your state will be posted on the Origins-USA website.

If you agree, Origins-USA may share your identifying information with members of the media.  

Questions? Contact Mothers' Stories Coordinator Jesse Jordan at jjordan@origins-usa.org.

Spread the Word

Encourage other parents to share their stories. Post a link to your story on your website, blog, MySpace page, or FaceBook page.

Support The  Mothers' Stories Project 

Make a tax deductible gift of $10 or more to help cover the cost of maintaining the website.

Read Mothers' Stories!

1956
Being 16 years old when I became pregnant, I was afraid, ashamed, and embarassed.... Pat Buono, Florida

1958
I was 16 when I was sent away to a Florence Crittenden home in Chamblee Georgia.... Jesse Jordan, Oregon

1959
I lost my son to closed adoption because of shame of being pregnant & unmarried..... I had NO choice, no options....Barbara Pasternak, Connecticut

1961
The day I held my newborn son was the worst day of my life.... Laura Crepeau, Virginia

1964
My parents sent me to Rosalie Hall in NYC 1200 miles from home where my son was born.... Katy Ishee, Tennessee

1967
I moved with my family across the country when I was 5 months pregnant and hid in the basement until my son was born.... Dale Boercker, California

1968
I had broken up with my boyfriend and my parents decided I would go to the Florence Crittendon Prison (I refuse to call it a home).... Susan Schnirring, Illinois

I was 20 and alone. I had finally extracted myself from my abusive first husband and then found out I was pregnant.... Mirah Riben, New Jersey

1969
The 3 relatives who knew wanted it kept secret and refused to help me except to send me away to come back alone. I was forced to wear a girdle until I went away.... Irene Price-Gendron, New Jersey

I was 17 and "in love". I kept getting sick and the doctor treated me for ulcers.... Donna Stefanov, Texas

1970
My son is 38 years old, and I still don't know where he is.... Sheila Leonard, California

Our son was born on April 3, 1970 and adopted 4 days later. I was not allowed to see or hold my infant son.... Karen Dawber, Kansas

When I reunited with my son, I learned that he had not had a good life.... Denise Roessle, Arizona

1972
When my parents found out that I was pregnant, I was immediately sent to a maternity "home" where I was incarcerated for the last 5 months of my pregnancy.... Kathy Aderhold, Colorado

1973
Three days after my sophomore year ended, I was shipped to Fort Worth where THE HOME promised my parents that, with their extremely competent help, I would be able to forget all about this shameful experience and get on with the rest of my life when it was over.... Elsie Perkins, Texas

1978
I was divorced, a single mom with a 3 year old, working and going to college part time when I found out I was pregnant.... my family refused to help or acknowledge my child's birth. I was told to adopt and forget about it.... Marcie Roth, Kentucky

1979
I did eventually have 2 more daughters, but there was always that missing piece of my heart.... Anne Fredericks Kotler, New Jersey

1980
I am also an adoptee; so when I found out I was pregnant at the age of 14 - planning an adoption for my child seemed logical and normal.... Rebecca Ricardo, Virginia

1981
After she was born I changed my mind.... My caseworker from Easter House, Colleen Rogers threatened to sue my parents for the thousands of dollars Easter House had spent on my care. We had no choice but to go home to Michigan without my Brandy..... Sandee Soto, Texas

1982
Teen mom fights and keeps her baby!  Maggie Drv3er, Pennsylvania

1983
The nuns promised me that if I chose adoption that the letter would be provided to my daughter when she turned 18, this never happened.... Anonymous

1988
When my mom found out I was pregnant I was sent to a Catholic maternity home while my boyfriend went on with his life...  Niki

1990
The day I left the hospital without my son was the worst day in my life.... Stephanie, Texas

I contacted an organization that claimed to be a non-profit (their tax status was revoked by the IRS soon thereafter), licensed (not knowing that their license was about to be revoked) organization that helped mothers find out about options and make an unpressured decision (which also turned out to be the furthest thing from the truth).... Bernadette Wright, Virginia

1991
No other options were given to me, no one explained to me that I should try to keep my child.... Stephanie Smith, Arkansas

Within two years my contact was cut to one letter per year. Upon contacting Gentle Care I learned that THEIR interpretaiton of OPEN was pictures and letters for one year. That was not my agreement.... Stephanie Baker, Texas

Now we start to heal all the pain this adoption has caused him and me. I do not believe in adoption; we must give support to women in need.... Christine Stamm-Helms, Florida

1995
I think I have detached myself from the feelings for a long time because they are hard to deal with.... If there are any regrets around the subject, it is that the circumstances weren't different at the time so that I could have made a parenting plan instead of an adoptive plan. Susie V., Hawaii

1997
I never wanted to give my child up for adoption, but I had no other choice. it was that or never see her again.... Pennye Anglin, Louisiana

This was supposed to be an "open" or "independent adoption" .... When my daughter was around 4-5 months old, I got a visit from my case worker who told me the family changed their minds and they no longer wanted contact.... Amy Hanley, Florida

2004
In 4 years I have gotten 4 pictures sent the 1st year and that was it.... I have called on his birthday no return, no nothing. It has torn me apart. I cry a lot and always think about him.... Marisa Mims, Texas

2005
I've lost friends and alienated family because of my decision. It haunts me every day..... Janettee McCrary, Oklahoma

2006
All I want to do is love my daughter and make it right. I would give anything to see her, smell her hair, and tell her that I love her.... Ariel Clauson, Virginia

2008
The experience of losing my child was the most difficult thing I have ever faced. My bf and I have been struggling to get him back and just need our story exposed. The experience of losing my child was the most difficult thing i have ever faced. My bf and I have been struggling to get him back and just need our story exposed, exposed to the right people...HELP!! Jaran Terrey, Rhode Island

I am the father of my 13 month old son. I have been fighting a private adoption agency for custody of my son for 15 months.... Davia Sheffield, Florida

I'm not a typical birthmom. I was 30 when I had my daughter. I am also married with two sons. We chose adoption because at the time we were just getting into a home. I was scared that I couldn't provide for another baby. My other two children had slept in a tent for two months prior to getting this house. I was scared we would be homeless again. My husband was working, but what if he lost his job again? I didn't find out I was pregnant until I was 12 weeks. We were under so much stress, it didn't occur to me I could be pregnant. My first reaction was to have an abortion. I cried and cried. When it came down to it, I could never do that a child of mine.
When I had Lila I had to beg to see her. They wouldn't let me take her out of the nursery because I might run off with her. I tried to tell them that by law she is my baby. I have not signed anything yet. When we started signing the papers I told them I changed my mind. I wanted my daughter. My lawyer reminded me that if I kept her I had to pay back anything that the agency helped me with. I knew that I couldn't. He just kept saying sign the papers Jody. You're doing the right thing. I got up, went to the bathroom and vomited. I didn't want to sign
the papers. I wanted my daughter. In the end I signed them because of the pressure I was put under. Afterward I overheard him telling the adoptive parents, "You are safe. She has signed everything."  I didn't even know that I signed a waiver that denied me 30 days to change my mind. Now the adoptive family never sends me anything. i dont even know how my daughter is, or what she looks like. I was lied to by the agency, who promised me an open adoption. I was lied to by my lawyer, who didn't tell me I had 30 days to get her back. I was lied to by a family that promised me a chance to still see my daughter. But they took her and ran.  Jody, Pennsylvania.