May 1, 2023
After spending 15 years searching for answers, Rich Uhrlaub discovered that both his birth parents had passed away long before his quest had begun. This devastating realization fueled Rich's passion to become an advocate for truth and transparency in adoption, challenging an industry that had grown apathetic to the plight of those it served.
In this episode, you will be able to:
Gain insight into adoptees' needs for truth and transparency, emphasizing the need for access to birth records and biological family information.
Follow the path of Rich Uhrlaub as he champions legislative change through his experiences and advocacy work.
Delve into the necessity of truth and transparency in adoption, exposing the realities of the multibillion-dollar adoption industry.
Cultivate a cooperative environment for adoptees, adoptive parents, birth parents, and allies.
Unleash the power of art and creativity as a means of promoting adoption awareness and self-expression.
My special guest is Rich Uhrlaub
Rich Uhrlaub is a passionate adoptee rights activist who has dedicated the past 25 years to promoting truth and transparency in the multibillion-dollar adoption industry. With his personal experience as an adoptee, Rich has been instrumental in advocating for legislative reform and providing support to fellow adoptees in search of their origins. As a board member of Adoption Search Resource Connection, he plays a crucial role in assisting adoptees during their search process. Rich's unwavering commitment to the cause extends to his creative pursuits, with an adoption-related musical in development called For the Record.
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RESOURCES:
Rich’s information:
Adoption Search Resource Connection (ASRC): https://www.asrconline.org/
ASRC playlists of adoption-related music, film, etc.: https://www.asrconline.org/film-music-stage-accordion
Rich’s For the Record musical: FTRMusical.com
Male adoptees support group: https://www.maleadoptees.com/
Male Adoptee/Alumni Impact Summit, May 12-14, 2023: https://www.maleadoptees.com/
DONATE TO: Coalition for Truth & Transparency in Adoption (A 501(c)(4) Organization): https://www.adoptiontruthandtransparency.org/
Other Resources:
APtitude Support Group for Adoptive Parents Facing Adoption’s Challenges: UnravelingAdoption.com/APtitude
Other Parents Like Me - https://www.facebook.com/other.parents.like.me
Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/
Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling
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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 UnravelingAdoption on Patreon: Patreon.com/UnravelingAdoption
www.UnravelingAdoption.com
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The key moments in this episode are:
1:27 Rich’s adoption story and childhood
8:50 How did Rich’s interest in adoptee rights begin?
13:50 What’s happening with adoption legislation right now?
19:16 Getting thick skin while working for adoption reform
21:30 Normalizing adoptees seeking their own genealogy
22:40 “Truth and transparency” instead of “adoptee rights”
24:30 Uniting adoption constellation members in legislation activism
27:59 What can adoptive parents do to promote truth and transparency in adoption?
30:17 Support for male adoptees
36:20 Walking on eggshells as a movement
37:40 What can adoption allies do to help truth & transparency legislation?