Adopt Perspective

When people affected by adoption embark on an exploration of their experience and perhaps find their biological relatives, the support network around them plays a crucial role in navigating this deeply emotional process. Family members, including partners, children, siblings, extended relatives and even friends often experience a complex mix of emotions themselves. They may feel pride, anxiety, and sometimes insecurity as their loved one searches for their biological roots or begins to figure out how adoption has impacted them. On top of this, they themselves are affected by adoption. For family members, part of their family tree is missing too. Their support can be invaluable to adopted people and mothers and fathers who have lost children to adoption, providing a stable emotional foundation and offering practical assistance such as research help or moral support. In this episode we speak to host, Jo Sparrow's husband, Baden and son, Sam about their perspective. This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes   Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com)   Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland   We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. 

Today’s guest is an adopted person and photographer from Newcastle in New South Wales. Kathryn Blake was born and adopted in Bathurst in 1970 as the eldest of two adopted girls. She has since gone on to connect with her brother, who was also placed for adoption, and more recently with her father. Her reunion stories are filled with incredible near misses and moments of serendipity. Kathryn has experienced many of the joys and heartbreaks that can come along with reunions, and that we can all relate to, and she is still exploring whether a 'no' always remains a 'no'.  This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes   Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com)   Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland   We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. 

Today’s guest is a mother who lost her son to adoption in Melbourne in 1967. Rosemary Brooks is also an artist who walks to her own beat and at 51 was able to finish the university qualification that was interrupted when she was a teenager navigating the forced adoption era. Rosemary has reunited with her son and from experience understands that reunions don’t always follow a straightforward path. She also recently submitted forms for the Victorian Historical Forced Adoptions Redress Scheme which opened in February 2024 and shares a little about how she found that process. This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes   Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com)   Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland   We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing

Alison Willoughby was born at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Carlton, Melbourne in 1965. She was the first of four children adopted by her adoptive parents, who were unable to conceive naturally. Alison has since connected with her mother, father and biological siblings and has written a book about her experience called Forced Adoption, A Memoir. You can purchase Alison's book here: www.alisonwilloughbyadoption.com This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes   Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com)   Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland   We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. 

Arie Baker was born in Brisbane in 1974 at the Corinda Private Hospital where she was adopted at 3 weeks of age. In this episode of Jigsaw Queensland's Adopt Perspective Podcast, Arie will share with us her experience of adoption and searching for her biological family and how her desire to make sense of that experience led her to write a book that is a mix of fiction and non-fiction.   This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes   Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com)   Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland   We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. 

Today’s guest, Gemma Chudzinski is an Australian Intercountry adoptee and PhD candidate from the School of Health Sciences and Social Work at Griffith University, who is undertaking important research in the area of the mental health of intercountry adoptees and is calling for participants. To find out more about the research, email gemma.chudzinski@griffithuni.edu.au This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes   Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com)   Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland   We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. 

Brendan Watkins was eight years old when his parents told him he was adopted. When he was in his late twenties, he started searching for his biological parents and eventually discovered the identity of his mother: he was later told that following his birth, she’d become a Catholic nun, and she wanted nothing to do with him. For the next thirty years, Brendan had no clues as to the identity of his father. In 2018, a DNA test provided the answer: he was the son of a priest. His father had studied in a Trappist monastery in Ireland, had returned to Australia and become a celebrated outback missionary. Brendan wrote a memoir about his experience called Tell No One that not only explores his own experience, but also the wider issue of cover ups by the Catholic Church. He’s joined us to share his story, and also some of his writing process. For more information about Brendan and Tell No One, go to www.brendanwatkins.com.au This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes   Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com)   Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland   We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. 

Jo Fraser is a mother who lost her son to adoption in 1971 and connected with him again almost two decades later. She is also the Convenor of the Victorian branch of the Association Representing Mothers Separated by adoption (better known as ARMS) - a not-for-profit organisation formed in 1982 out of a common need to support women who are living with difficulties of having lost a child or children to adoption. She is also, through ARMS, part of the national alliance called the Mothers Adoption Loss Alliance or MALA.  This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes   Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com)   Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland   We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. 

Dr Giselle Newton, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The University of Queensland. She’s a digital health sociologist whose research is focussed on understanding how reproductive and genetic technologies (re)shape personal and familial relationships and considers how people with lived experience participate and position themselves in research, policy reform and development of support and services. As a donor-conceived person herself, Giselle’s research is grounded in advocacy regarding access to information and family and health for all donor-conceived people worldwide.  This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes   Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com)   Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland   We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. 

Today’s guest was born in England in 1970 and was adopted at six weeks of age into a family who had already adopted a son. Lisa Preston’s family moved to Australia when she was two years old, and then grew to include a biological daughter. Lisa’s story of reunion spans decades, two continents, and is testament to courage, tenacity, and understanding that a no doesn’t always stay a no.  This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com)   Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland   We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. 

James Vasilic was born and adopted in Brisbane in 1985 and has an incredible story about his experience of being adopted and reunion to share with us. This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com)   Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland   We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. 

Thomas Graham is a South African born adoptee, who migrated to Australia 25 years ago and in 2009 started the Australian Journal of Adoption (AJA) , an online journal providing an independent, open access forum for people affected by or involved in adoption. He published 16 volumes focusing on adoptee experiences before hanging up his hat. After AJA he published an adoption blog called Ipsify for three years, offering shorter and personalised interviews and commentary on adoption matters.  He was also part of the grassroots adoptee groups that helped set the path for what is now known as Adoptee Rights Australia. In addition, Thomas once ran a Canberra-based adoption support group, sat on the government committee to oversee the implementation of some key recommendations in the Senate Report into Forced Adoption and then, by his own account, disappeared and withdrew from any involvement in the adoption community.  This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes   Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com)   Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland   We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. 

Thomas Graham is a South African born adoptee, who migrated to Australia 25 years ago and in 2009 started the Australian Journal of Adoption (AJA) , an online journal providing an independent, open access forum for people affected by or involved in adoption. He published 16 volumes focusing on adoptee experiences before hanging up his hat. After AJA he published an adoption blog called Ipsify for three years, offering shorter and personalised interviews and commentary on adoption matters.  He was also part of the grassroots adoptee groups that helped set the path for what is now known as Adoptee Rights Australia. In addition, Thomas once ran a Canberra-based adoption support group, sat on the government committee to oversee the implementation of some key recommendations in the Senate Report into Forced Adoption and then, by his own account, disappeared and withdrew from any involvement in the adoption community.  This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes   Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com)   Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland   We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. 

Peter Capomolla Moore is a family genealogist who stumbled across his adoption via a DNA test at the age of 59. The father of 5, grandfather of many and foster carer is also a committed advocate for adopted people through his work as President of Adoptee Rights Australia.  This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes   Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com) Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland   We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing.   

Today’s guest is a Queensland mother who lost a daughter, and a son to adoption. Di Riddell is also a rape and domestic violence survivor, who has dedicated her life to helping others find their voice and is the author of three books, Beyond Abuse, Speak Out and Knowing You. This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes   Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com)   Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland   We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. 

Today’s guest is one of those extraordinary humans who travels off the beaten path, and lives a life filled with adventure. Heather Kinang is a Himalayan climber, trekker, yoga teacher, espresso lover and late discovery adoptee. In this episode, Heather shares her experience as a late discoverer and her adventurous life. This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com) Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland   We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. 

Today's guest is an adoptee from Newcastle, Australia who says the internet, social media and DNA has been a game changer in her search for her biological family and connection. Louise Gleeson utilised all three during her search and is using them again now to help others. This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com) Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. 

This year we commemorated the 10th anniversary of the federal apology for past forced adoption policies and practices. The apology was a direct result of tireless advocacy by those affected, which led to a senate inquiry and resulting report. Today's guest has been a powerful ally of those affected by forced adoption and was an integral part in how the apology came about. Claire Moore was elected to the Australian Senate for Queensland in 2001 and retired at the expiration of her final term in 2019. During her distinguished career, she acted as Deputy Chair of the Community Affairs and References Committee Inquiry into Former Forced Adoption Policies and Practices. Today we're talking to Claire about her experience, how far we've come and what is left to be accomplished. This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com) Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. 

Joining us in this episode of Adopt Perspective is a Queensland mother who lost a daughter to adoption in 1976. Kathryn Rendell was also a member of the National Council for Single Mothers and Their Children (now Single Mother Families Australia Inc.) and was a member of the national Forced Adoptions Apology Reference Group and the Forced Adoptions Implementation Working Group – formed in 2013 to provide key advice to government on services and projects to improve support for people who have been affected by these practices. Kathryn shares with us her personal story and her experience of serving in these two important groups. This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com)   Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland   We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing. 

On 21st March 2013, the Australian Government delivered a formal apology to people affected by past forced adoption policies and practices. The apology was delivered by then Prime Minister, Julia Gillard in the Great Hall at Parliament House. The apology acknowledged the experiences of those affected, which created a lifelong legacy of pain and suffering. Today is the 10th anniversary of the apology and states and territories around Australia are commemorating with events. We know that not everyone can make it to an anniversary event, so we’re dedicating this episode of Adopt Perspective to reflect on the apology and are joined by none other than the woman who delivered it, The Honourable Julia Gillard. This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/episode-notes Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (www.jigsawqueensland.com) Connect with us Instagram - adopt_perspective_podcast Facebook - Jigsaw Post-Adoption Centre Queensland We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing.