Dec 25, 2023
"Adoption is about finding homes for babies, not about finding babies for families." -- Paul Fiscus
Do you want to see an increase in awareness and advocacy for natural fathers? Join me in listening to Paul Fiscus' plea for greater support and recognition for natural fathers. He hasn't seen his 5-year-old daughter Eliza since she was an infant. Through our discussion, you will learn actionable steps to raise awareness and advocate for the rights of natural fathers. Together, we can make a difference and bring about positive change for fathers fighting for their right to parent.
In this episode, you will be able to:
Discover the impact of unjust treatment of natural parents in adoption.
Uncover the corruption in the adoption system and its impact on parental rights.
Explore the role of racism in adoption cases and its effects on natural fathers.
Advocate for parental rights and learn how to increase awareness and support for natural fathers.
My special guest is Paul Fiscus
Paul Fiscus, a devoted natural father, brings a unique perspective to the discussion on adoption and custody rights. His personal experiences have propelled him to become a passionate advocate for the rights of natural fathers. Paul's unwavering determination and in-depth understanding of the legal intricacies surrounding adoption highlight the hurdles that natural fathers can sometimes encounter. His insights and commitment to creating change in the treatment of natural fathers make him an invaluable voice in the ongoing dialogue about fathers' rights in the adoption process.
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π Community Calendar: UnravelingAdoption.com/Calendar
β¨Healing the Adoption Constellation database: UnravelingAdoption.com/Healing
πSign up for our Unraveling Adoption email list: http://eepurl.com/hVIAVX
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The resources mentioned in this episode are:
Visit the website freeeliza.com to learn more about Paul's fight for his daughter and to stay updated on his advocacy efforts.
Connect with Paul directly by emailing him at Paul_fiscus@yahoo.com if you have any specific questions or want to offer support or assistance.
Support or volunteer for Saving Our Sisters with Renee Gelin: https://savingoursistersadoption.org/
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Other Resources:
APtitude Support Group for Adoptive Parents Facing Adoptionβs Challenges: UnravelingAdoption.com/APtitude
Other Parents Like Me - oplm.com
Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents who have a child struggling with addiction: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/
Adoptee-Therapist Directory: https://growbeyondwords.com/adoptee-therapist-directory/
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Unraveling Adoption is produced and hosted by Beth Syverson
Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao
Email questions or comments to Beth@UnravelingAdoption.com
Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube
Support Unraveling Adoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption
Create your own podcast through Libsyn: https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=ADOPTION
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Understand Unjust Treatment in Adoption
The adoption industry is a tumultuous space characterized by
decisions that can often feel arbitrary and unjust to the affected
parties. This is highlighted in Paul Fiscus' experience where he
faced severe challenges in fighting for his rights as a natural
father. The bias and seeming corruption in the system reflect a
pressing need for increased dialogue, ethical practices and
actionable reform to provide fair treatment for all parties
involved.
Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:00 - Introduction and Background
Beth Syverson introduces the podcast and her guest, Paul Fiscus,
who shares his experience as a natural father to a daughter he
hasn't seen since infancy. The conversation aims to shed light on
the complexities and injustices of adoption.
00:01:16 - Becoming a Father
Paul Fiscus shares his experience of finding out about becoming a
father at 39 and the complexities of his relationship with the
natural mother of his daughter. He discusses the challenges of
co-parenting and the impact of the mother's bipolar disorder on
their plans.
00:04:00 - Relinquishment and Legal Battles
Paul discusses the challenges he faced when the natural mother cut
off contact and the subsequent relinquishment of his daughter for
adoption. He details the legal battles, ethical violations, and his
relentless efforts to fight for his parental rights.
00:08:48 - Birth Mother's Motivation
Paul reveals the birth mother's motivations, including her refusal
to co-parent, control issues, and financial gains from the
adoption. He highlights the unethical practices within the adoption
industry and the impact on his daughter's well-being.
00:12:42 - Adoptive Parents' Role
Paul discusses the refusal of the adoptive parents to communicate
with him and their perspective on the legal process. He emphasizes
the ethical and moral considerations surrounding the adoption of
his daughter.
00:13:00 - Filing for Paternity
Paul shares his experience of filing for paternity despite
uncertainty about being the biological father. He discusses the
legal process, including the petition and motions filed.
00:14:38 - Legal Battle and Emotional Toll
Paul recounts the emotional and legal challenges he faced in the
courtroom. He details the accusations made against him and the
impact it had on his mental health.
00:18:48 - Seeking Relief
Paul discusses his current legal actions, including filing a writ
to the US Supreme Court. He expresses frustration with the legal
system and the challenges he faces in seeking justice for his
situation.
00:20:26 - Emotional Impact and Coping
Paul opens up about the emotional toll of the situation, including
struggles with PTSD and managing anger. He shares how music and
meditation have helped him cope.
00:22:56 - Last Legal Resort
Paul explains that filing a writ to the US Supreme Court is his
last legal option. He also discusses potential motives behind the
opposition he has faced in the legal system.
00:25:49 - Coping with lack of support
Paul discusses the lack of support he has received and the impact
it has had on him. He mentions feeling frustrated and unheard,
highlighting the need for awareness and advocacy for fathers in
similar situations.
00:26:24 - Race and adoption
The conversation delves into the racial dynamics of adoption, with
Paul noting the disparity in outcomes for Caucasian fathers
compared to Hispanic or African American fathers. They discuss the
disturbing implications of this racial divide in the adoption
process.
00:27:43 - Gender dynamics in the legal system
The conversation touches on the frustration with the legal system,
particularly the role of judges who are often parents themselves.
They explore the challenges of advocating for parental rights in a
system that seems to favor certain demographics.
00:29:00 - Impact on the child
The discussion delves into the emotional impact on Paul's daughter,
Eliza, and the potential consequences of the misinformation she may
have been exposed to. They express concern for the future
relationship between Eliza and her adoptive parents.
00:33:32 - Call to action
Paul emphasizes the importance of raising awareness and promoting
ethical adoption practices. He encourages listeners to share the
episode and engage in advocacy efforts to support ethical family
preservation and child welfare.