Tell me about yourself.
I was born in Colombia, South America, and adopted at 6 weeks old. I lived with my adoptive family in New Jersey until I was seven when we moved to Salisbury, NC. I have lived in Charlotte for 10 years. I am a child therapist, and I own a private practice called Constructive Parenting.
How does adoption intersect with your life?
I am an adoptee, so in some ways, it is the center of my life. It is what defines me, and it is the lens through which I experience everything else.
How did you connect with Adoption Support Alliance?
I met Erin years ago when I reached out to her to find out more about her passion for adoption and to explore how I could connect with supporting families who were touched by adoption in Charlotte. I worked under her doing home studies for Triangle Adoption for a time, and I am a member of the adult adoptee support group at ASA.
Could you share something adoption has taught you?
For me, being adopted has taught me the importance of connecting with others. I am always curious about others and their stories. I am less quick to assume and jump to conclusions, and I have found that we all have more in common then we realize.
Are there any words of wisdom you’d want to share with any of part of the adoption triad?
Being adopted is an important part of an adoptee’s identity, but there is so much more to each of us than any one thing (even adoption). With that said, the facts of our adoption and the insecurities caused by all of our questions are also ever-present, humming in the background ready to pop to the surface at moments when we are vulnerable. If you have an adoptee in your life, give them your unconditional love. Let them know at every opportunity that they are loved and that they don’t have to earn your love because, even with adoption being part of their story, they were born worthy.
Thank you, Amanda, for popping in and sharing with us! Amanda will be joining us on Tuesday, November 12 for our Coffee Talk Tuesday to share a little more about her practice, Constructive Parenting, and the services she provides. Stop by and say hello!