National Adoption Awareness Month in NC

NCCAR took the 'show' on the road. This month was a whirlwind tour of education around the state of NC.

We showed the movie Roots: Unknown by Zara Phillips to over 150 NC Division of Social Service Workers between November 1 and November 18 in areas such as Vance County, Gates County, Macon County, Alexander County, Onslow County, Wayne County, Martin County, New Hanover County, Perquimans County and Edgecombe County.

On November 7, we showed the film to around 25-30 adoptive and foster care parents associated with the group Transracial Families of NC Triangle.

We showed the movies to two of the four support groups in North Carolina also

On November 18 we ended the tour, showing the film to at least 30 adoptive and foster parents in Rocky Mount.

We performed exercises which really helped the people at these viewings 'GET IT' about foster kids in care, and what it is like to be an adoptee.

Education of the agencies working with adoption, as well as the public is the only way we will achieve access to the original birth certificate in North Carolina. We need these people to be able to contact their State Legislators (Representatives and Senators), letting them know 'It's ok if adult adoptees have their OBC, the sky will not fall here'.

Two States never saw a need to seal the original birth certificate from any adult adoptee. They felt that when an adoptee became an adult they should have a copy of that document. Six other states have joined in and have also allowed adult adoptees to have copies of this document. The sky has not fallen in any of those states. Nothing bad has resulted from adult aodptees having a copy of this document.

Nothing bad would happen here either. We are talking about people who are all adults and should act as such. If they don't, then there are consequences put forth by other laws which will govern their actions.

But back to NAAM in NC. All in all, we feel we had a huge success to showing this film as well as showing Unlocking the Heart of Adoption by Sheila Ganz to two of the agencies.

As an aside, NCCAR is on Facebook and also is now on Twitter. These are all good avenues to get the message out.

If you would like to help us make this much needed change here in NC so that NC is not the LAST state to get onto this bandwagon, please see our website. Help us make a difference in NC for the only group of individuals placed in a witness protection program without their consent.

Remember that birthmother confidentiality is a MYTH.... would never be able to be held up in a court of law since records are only sealed upon finalization of adoption....not relinquishment.