From Loss to Legacy: Fighting for Adoptee Rights at the State Capitol

Point A:

My proximity to the State Capital is really the only reason I started the legislation. When Elle and I started our Coalition and got the legislation introduced it was obvious we needed someone at the Capital a lot. Elle lived too far away to go as much as was needed. But when Elle died by suicide, it destroyed me. I had never felt loss in this way. Someone I barely knew yet connected with deeply. She was behind the scenes pushing me, educating me and loving me through it.
How could I ever go on without her? Then a fire lit inside me. How dare the government tell me I am not worthy of my own information. Elle was gonna get her OBC even if it was from the grave.
So many legislators and people seemed to support the bill but yet it took 7 years to get it passed. It was within those 7 years I learned a lot about my spirit, my drive and being able to reach your greatest goals!

Point B 

When Point A told me that she was going to work on legislation for adoptees to obtain their original birth certificate I never doubted that she would work her best to see it through. But little did I know the determination she would show through it all.

She faced so many obstacles over the years that many people would have given up their desire to change this outdated law. But not her.

In adoption we talk about nurture vs nature. Through our reunion, I’ve seen times when I’ve thought it was one of these. Then another time I was sure it was the other one!

But now I know it’s really not either one of these. Sure Point A got both our nature and her nurture. But she has a fire all her own that stirs deep inside her. That’s what came alive when she decided to help adoptees obtain their original birth certificates.

Image Descriptions (for accessibility)

1. Image 1: A graphic of a yellow envelope containing a report card that reads: “Report Card — Subject: Accomplishment, Successful.” The background is black with a yellow bar at the bottom reading “Point B (2:4).”

2. Image 2: A photo of a starry night sky in gradient tones of gold, orange, purple, and green. Overlaid text says: “Don’t tell me the sky’s the limit when there are footprints on the moon.”