Page 5 - MidWeek - Dec 22, 2021

A doption has a lifelong impact on the adop- tion triad — adop- tees, birth parents and adoptive parents. Many adoptees grow up without knowing their birth families, ethnicity and family
seeing anyone that resembled them, or preverbal trauma from separation from their birth mother.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 MIDWEEK 5
COVID-19
VACCINE is available to eligible people
Walk-in’s accepted and by appointment is welcomed.
Check eligibility and schedule an appointment at CVS.com, CVS app
or Scan the QR Code.
www.cvs.com
SATURDAY JANUARY 22 9-11 am Register at GrahamBuilders.com or (808) 593-2808
Still Guiding, Supporting Adoptees
Reclaiming missing elements of her basic identity, she now feels more like a whole human being.
medical history.
Adoption Circle of Hawai‘i
tions to access and created separate paths for adoptees to obtain their sealed records depending upon their adop- tion year. Those adopted prior to 1991 had a more complex process before they could view their records.
how to request copies of adop- tion records from district Fam- ily Courts.
A birth mother said, “Re- connecting with family mem- bers is a very emotional ex- perience, and having a strong support system with others who have had similar expe- riences is extremely helpful.”
is a volunteer-run nonprofit that provides information and support to the adoption triad. Over the past 31 years, ACH has supported the communi- ty through adoption-related events, phone support and monthly support groups.
In 2016, ACH supported legislative bills about access to sealed adoption records once the adoptee reached age 18. Act 80, SLH 2016 provides equal access to one’s records for triad members. ACH’s website has instructions on
A senior adoptee didn’t know her ethnicity nor her birth parents’ names until af- ter the 2016 law change and she received her records from Family Court. Reclaiming missing elements of her basic identity, she now feels more like a whole human being. New adoptive parents were grateful to learn about issues like going to the doctor with- out family medical history, not
Information is available on ACH’s website (adoptioncir- clehawaii.org) or its Facebook page. You can also email adop- tioncirclehawaii@gmail.com.
In 1990, ACH members successfully advocated for triad member access to their sealed adoption records. How- ever, the final law had excep-
Tax-deductible donations can be made through Amazon- Smile or via P.O. Box 10304, Honolulu, HI 96816. Dona- tions support website mainte- nance and outreach events.
By Katalina McGlone, board member with Adoption Circle of Hawai‘i
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