More Stories . . .

I Registered with ISRR to Find My Birth Mother

I got a phone call from someone I initially took as a telemarketer. When it finally sank in that this call was the one I had been waiting for I actually started to cry. I was so happy! I nervously asked what I had to do next. I was told that with my permission, my phone number would be given to my birth mother and she would be the next person to call me. That next call lasted for six hours.

After many phone calls my birth mother came to meet me and her now enlarged family. We hugged and spent many hours looking over pictures and catching up on the activities and events of the past 32 years. We have spent as much time together as we have been able to. We have a great, open, strong mother-son bond. I have developed relationships with my half-sister and step-brother and sister.

How Do You Feel About this Experience?

Great! One of the best things that has ever happened to me in my life.

For my birthday, Mom gave me a tattoo ... I now have a heart with "Mom" in it on my chest, a permanent mark of the bond we have. I feel that I am a better person because of this reunion. I have more people in my family and my birthmom is one of my strongest supporters.

My life has been changed forever because of my decision to contact ISRR. I have shared my experience with many people ... I pray that no matter what the outcome of anyone's search, they get the closure that I have gotten.

Thank you!

JAMES A. KLAUSING - OHIO

Reunited with My Daughter!

At 9 a.m. an ISRR rep called and told me there was a match and that my daughter wanted to know if it was okay if we talked on the phone. After I stopped screaming, I emphatically said, "Yes." The rep then told me my daughter's name and that she was at work so the representative would call her and set up arrangements.

We were finally able to get through to each other about 6:30 p.m. that evening. We talked non-stop for 3 hours! The next day she drove for over 2 hours with her then 9-month old son to meet me. I drove her and her son to another town to meet my mom and then to another town to meet my 95 year old grandmother. Of course, it was the hottest day of the year!

We have developed a strong bond and friendship. We talk two or three times per week and have managed to see each other monthly. She and her children recently participated in a family photo shoot showing 5 generations of women on my mother's side of the family. I cannot imagine my life without her ever again.

This has been everything I dreamed of for 28 years and more. The only thing I truly regret is being ignorant of how adoption affects the adoptee emotionally no matter how wonderful the adoptive family is.

I've had an empty, burning hole in my stomach that went away the instant I heard her voice. I've gained a best friend who I think intuitively understands me better than most people. I think she has gained a friend who accepts her unconditionally and a very large family who loves her and wants to be close to her.

Liz and I had each other's identities for a year before our actual reunion. I highly recommend using a service such as ISRR for initial contact. The ISRR rep who helped us was very kind, thoughtful and professional with this situation, of which I am truly grateful. It is also helpful to have a positive support system in place.

This was the most scary, exciting and wonderful experience of my life -- next to giving birth to both my children. Even before Liz was born, I knew we'd find each other and I think both of our dreams came true.

karen force - Oregon

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