That period in our history is shameful. Tearing babies away from their mother's arms, who very much wanted to raise them, is cruel beyond words. To pretend that mother and baby, both, are not deeply traumatized by the separation is asinine.

I feel very strongly that what's needed is to provide financial support for the mother and her child, when the child is wanted. Many adoption agencies are thinly veiled human trafficking schemes.

I'm very sorry that you were affected by these terrible policies and societal beliefs. I think we are only now seeing just how bad this was (and is) for the child.

I imagine this was likely the situation for my dad as well who spent decades of his life trying to find out who his biological mother was. Unfortunately, he was adopted through LDS Social Services and the records are locked up so tight, even a private detective wouldn't take his case.

I was a single teenaged mother myself and I cannot imagine the pain. I WANTED my baby and I would never have gotten over losing her in such a horrific way, as I imagine you never did. I hope that things are changing, though when there is so much money at stake, it seems unlikely.

Thank you for sharing your story.