Advocate

Here's another question (or rather, series of questions) I was asked via e-mail. As usual, I've paraphrased.

Do you want to be an adoption advocate? Do you consider yourself one? Do you feel a responsibility to educate people about adoption?

This question made me wish I'd made it to Mrs R's adoption advocacy class at the FSA Conference in July. Unfortunately, I didn't see it on the schedule until after it was over.

I don't know that I've ever applied that specific word to myself, but I suppose I am an adoption advocate. I mean, my blog is a pretty good indicator that I love adoption and want to spread the word. I've done birth mom panels and school presentations and that sort of thing.

It was never a conscious decision on my part. It just felt, and feels, very natural to talk to people about adoption and my experience. I would love to continue doing just that. I want to do what I can, when I can, while I can. I do love presenting and blogging and talking about adoption. I've found it to be very healing.

I didn't feel any particular responsibility until I started talking to people and I realized how many misconceptions there are. Knowing how many people have wrong ideas about adoption makes me want to shout to the world that it really is about love. I know that it's not my responsibility to change the way the world thinks. I'm more about taking it one person at a time.

I hope to someday not have the time to worry about adoption anymore. My goal is to get married and have children of my own, and when that happens my focus will be on my own little family. I don't see dropping adoption all together then, but I (hope I) will have less time for it.

I am proud to be a birth mother, but I don't want that to be my whole life. I'm totally okay being the adoption chick for now, but I hope to be more, to do more as my life goes on.


If you've got a burning question for me, or one that maybe doesn't burn but just feels a little warm, e-mail me at thehappiestsad AT gmail DOT com, or click here: http://www.formspring.me/jilleb163.