In part 1, we explored what it was like for Maria Fernanda growing up as a mixed-race transracial adoptee. We delved into the emotional complexities of birthdays as an adoptee, what it was like growing up with white parents, and being in an interracial relationship and getting pregnant unexpectedly. Becoming a young mom was a turning point for Maria Fernanda, who says it was the moment of “coming out of the fog” when she started to want answers and began the arduous journey of searching for her “First mother.”

Now, in part 2, we delve deeper into the emotional and challenging journey of uncovering adoption records that seemed almost impossible to access. Our exploration follows the relentless efforts to contact consulates, embassies, and a now-defunct adoption agency, leading to a surprising breakthrough. This realization highlights the systemic barriers many adoptees face when seeking answers, underscoring the ongoing struggles within the adoption process. Join us as we continue Maria's story of resilience, determination, and the importance of community and support.

• Maria Fernanda’s emotional journey of searching for biological family members:
• Efforts to find her mother and brother through online messages and social media.
• Maria Fernanda’s first hand experience with a scam and the Importance of caution to avoid scams.
• Maria Ferdanda’s determination and resilience in navigating the complexities of searching for one's roots amidst a global pandemic. The Detective work she did to find clues and put the pieces of info together. Inspired by the movie "Lion," using Google Earth to investigate further.
• Initial dead ends and emotional highs and lows in the pursuit.
• How she finally was able to be connected with her first mother after decades of separation and begin the reunion process.
• The Immediate and profound connection despite language barriers as well as the challenges of communication through a translator.
• Mix of joy and pain in such reunions, impact of past trauma.
• Delays in in-person meeting due to the global pandemic.
• Maria Fernanda’s first trip back to Quito with her family to meet her birth family.
• Challenges faced by adoptees, particularly from Latin America, in navigating identity and reunions with biological families.
• The ongoing challenges around being an adoptee. Her personal experience of proving citizenship for a child's college application, highlighting bureaucratic hurdles.
• Maria Fernanda’s Creation of Adoptees of Latin America plus Extended Latin Americas and the Guia Nova mentoring program.
• Need for supportive communities that understand the unique grief and joy adoptees experience.
• The mental health impacts of adoption and importance of trauma-informed care and supportive networks.
• The role of community in acknowledging and processing trauma and loss, ensuring adoptees can thrive.

Find Maria Fernanda:

Instagram:

@abutterflyseries

Adoptees of Latin America+ Extended Latin Americas: https://www.asa-extendedlatinamericas.com/creators

Guia Nova:

Instagram @guianovamentoring

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Music by Mathias Kunzli www.mathiaskunzli.com

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