Marianne C

It was a decision driven by empathy and compassion. When Marianne was nearly two years old, she was placed with her adoptive parents, Mary and David. As a biracial girl of African-American and Caucasian descent, she was raised by Caucasian parents in a culturally diverse community just outside Chicago. Her story is one of resilience, discovery, and bridging two distinct worlds: that of her adoptive family and her genetically related biological families.

In her 30s, Marianne faced a health scare that spurred a deeper desire to learn about her genetic and biological roots. Completing a simple form through the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), she initiated a search for her birth mother. To her surprise, she discovered that her birth parents had married ten years after her birth and had two other children, Bradley and Sheeka, who were her full siblings.

This revelation brought Marianne a sense of closure and connection. She met her birth family in Atlanta, Georgia, with her adoptive mother by her side. Marianne’s mother noted that after meeting her birth family, Marianne experienced a rare, peaceful sleep for the first time in her life, reflecting the emotional weight lifted by this reunion.

Marianne’s life is a testament to resilience and the power of connection. Her adoptive parents, Mary and David, were deeply committed to fostering a culturally rich and accepting environment for Marianne. Growing up in a diverse community, Marianne was exposed to a variety of cultures, a deliberate choice by her parents to ensure she developed a strong sense of identity and acceptance. This exposure included attending cultural arts performances and connecting with peers from diverse backgrounds, which Marianne says shaped her understanding of the world and her place in it. She also excelled as a student athlete growing up, which influenced her formative experiences with diversity.

However, navigating her identity as a biracial adoptee came with challenges. Marianne recalls being teased as a child for being adopted and for her racial identity. Despite these struggles, her mother consistently supported her, spending time discussing her experiences and reassuring her that her worth extended far beyond others’ perceptions. Her parents’ empathy and unwavering encouragement gave her the tools to face prejudice and develop a deep appreciation for her personal history and story. Even with their efforts, though, it was still a challenge. She often didn’t feel like she fit in, even with her own family, and it wasn’t always smooth or easy. It wasn’t until she met her biological family that she finally felt more assured. These were the people she looked like. And she now realizes how much it helped improve her self-esteem.

Marianne’s professional journey reflects her personal experiences. Early in her career, she worked in child welfare, eventually becoming a counselor focused on supporting foster families, biological families, and adoptive parents. She was able to draw from her own life, offering insights that only someone with her lived experience could provide. Her empathy, shaped by both her adoption and the care she received from her parents, allowed her to connect with families facing the complexities of foster care and adoption. She continues to help others through her work as an adult behavioral health counselor.