Adoption Reunion Stories [Paperback]

Shirley Budd Pusey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2006

In Adoption Reunion Stories, the author chronicles the deeply moving experiences of thirty-eight adoptees and fifty-six other family members. Each person interviewed contributes insights gained through the process of learning about and/or meeting other members of the adoption triad. Anyone who has ever been involved with an adoption, whether as a professional or as a family member, and especially those who are adopted or have placed a child for adoption, will find this book an invaluable source of enlightenment and comfort.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Shirley Budd Pusey was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and a Graduate Certificate in Social Work by the University of Utah. Prior to joining the staff of Family Service Agency of Phoenix as an adoption counselor, she was with the Denver Department of Child Welfare. She remained in that position for over thirty-two years until retirement. She was one of the first certified members of the Arizona Supreme Court's Confidential Intermediary Program established in 1993 to facilitate reunions of consenting adult members of the adoption triad and continues to serve in that capacity. Shirley is a wife, mother of two daughters and grandmother of five.

Product Details

• Paperback: 266 pages
• Publisher: Acacia Publishing, Inc. (January 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976222450
• ISBN-13: 978-0976222453
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,054,709 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you're involved in U.S. adoption triad!, March 10, 2006

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Adoption Reunion Stories (Paperback)

Arizona social worker Shirley Budd Pusey was an adoption counselor for 32 years--placing over 700 babies.

Many of the reunion stories she relates come from cases she worked, where the families knew her.

The author did a good job of showing all the viewpoints: adopted adult, adoptive parent(s), birth mother, and if available, even the birth father.

They are all reunion stories--but each has a different feeling. For example, in Michelle's story, she met her birth mother, but then backed off saying, "She is not the person I fantasized about."

The adoptive parents had different reactions as well. Some of these parents felt they lost a little of their child after she/he met their birth parent. Others thought their child felt closer than ever to them after the reunion and expressed happiness at being their child, at how they were treated and loved, etc. etc. etc.

In most stories, both the birth mother and the adoptee felt a hole in their being was filled. Some adoptees only wanted medical and family history, not a new relationship. The birth parents now knew their decision had been right for that child, that the child is doing fine.

The birth mothers had mixed reactions from being thrilled to see that the child they placed more than 18 years ago was well, happy and loved. However, some were angry that they had missed all those years, forced by their family to make the adoption plan against her will. She felt cheated.

Many of the adoptees carried feelings about wanting to search for their birth mother, but were concerned this search would upset their adoptive parents. This search cannot be made until age 18.

Birth siblings sometimes were thrilled initially but then disappointed because the "new sibling" backed away--and they wondered if it was the right thing to get to know that person. Other stories tell of welcoming and joyous extended families that brought the adoptee into it, and others where the birth parent became part of the adoptive family's life.

Armchair Interviews says: If you are any part of the adoption triad for U.S. adoptions, this book would give you some insight into how each party might feel. But as this book shows, there is no "one way" the people involved felt after the reunion.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sensational, April 1, 2006

By 

JR "mouse" (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Adoption Reunion Stories (Paperback)

This is a sensational account of reunions.....I read the whole thing non stop! I also know because my story is in it.....adoptees and their families go through so much... this book shares those thoughts and feelings~ Thank you Shirley for doing such a sensational job writing it. You also might want to try ADOPTION WITH LOVE by Shirley Pusey as well!