Opening Up

I was born in Arad, Romania.

20 days after my birth, I was placed in an orphanage and stayed there for a year until I was adopted.

I was too young to realize whether I wanted to get adopted or not.

We are still unclear about how or why my sister and I ended up in orphanage.

Based on what I’ve been told, my birth family was poor.

Despite all of that, I am thankful for being a part of a middle class family who made sure I had access to quality education and support groups.

Our adoptive parents adopted us because they could not have kids of their own.

My adoption has always been a difficult topic for me to talk about. It is something I have never been able to openly discuss with anyone - partially because I didn't want people to think I was different.

Today, I am a little more open about it. I tell some of my closest friends and relatives.

To me, advocating for that is important.

Since being adopted, I have had countless opportunities that I would not have had in Romania. I have obtained a university-level education, which would have been very unlikely in Romania.

I am proud of the journey I’ve been through. I am proud of accepting myself for who I am as an adoptee.

However, I wish I had known more about my birth family and Romania as a country.

I want to find my birth family.

One day, I will.

I’m sharing my story in order to help other adoptees to overcome some of their struggles.