Personal Stories
Learning about other people’s experiences can be helpful in validating your own experience and knowing that you are not alone. Here are some personal stories from VANISH service users who have been affected by past adoption practices and separation from family.
Now there are many books, articles, documentaries, blogs, and podcasts that focus on a range of adoption-related topics. If you would like recommendations of further material, please contact us.
The power of knowing your whole story: A year at VANISH
For most of her life, Emily didn’t feel like she needed to explore being adopted. Here she reflects on coming out of the fog, difficult but healing conversations with her mother, and what she’s learned from a year of working at VANISH.
Robert Bender on fifty years since Jigsaw Victoria
50 years later, adoptee Robert Bender reflects on his role with Jigsaw Victoria – the adoptee rights group which operated from 1976 to 1986 and successfully campaigned to open up birth records for adult adoptees.
I’ve got every right to ask the question
Chris found out he was adopted when he was thirteen. It took a health scare almost 30 years later and support from VANISH’s intermediary service before he went looking for answers.
The Bridge Remains: Jude Newcombe on writing, reunion and what comes after
Jude Newcombe spoke to VANISH about writing her memoir – an honest, insightful account of the emotional and psychological impacts of relinquishing a daughter for adoption and the complexities of reunion.
The questions I can’t quite answer
Intercountry adoptee Lakshmi Cashmore writes about the questions she can’t quite answer, and what it means to build a life from them anyway.
Speak up! Personal reflections of a professional helper
Adoptee Cheyne Bull reflects on how their lived experience has shaped their work in social services and how speaking openly about adoption supports one’s own healing.
Facing adoption head on
Adoptee Chris reflects on what he gained from attending the VANISH peer support groups.
From the streets of Kolkata to a new life in Australia
Mousumi’s adoption from India to Australia was supposed to be a happy ending, but instead, it marked the beginning of new struggles.
Jo’s search and reunion
After more than two years of searching, adoptee Jo was able to reconnect with her mother after more than 50 years apart.
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