Searching for Hope

I was born in Feidong, Hefei, Anhui Province of China.

My exact age is unknown, but I was a newborn when I entered the orphanage. I was in an orphanage/foster care until I was adopted at 14 months old.

My orphanage was called the Hefei Social Welfare Institute. I don't remember what it was like, as I was an infant at the time.

I was lucky enough to be placed with a foster family until I was adopted. The couple who fostered me was very nice; I met them again two years ago when I went back to China on a heritage tour.  

It was an amazing tour as I was able to meet other adoptees with similar questions. For once, I felt normal. It was awesome. Meeting my foster parents was interesting. They knew me and I had no connection to them. I felt like an animal in a cage being looked at. But, at the same time, it was reassuring to know I was loved. 

I was adopted on July 27th, 1999.

I’ve lived in Kenosha, Wisconsin majority of my life.

I am an only child. It always bothered me because I wanted siblings, but I made it work.

I grew up in a household where my mom was the "bread winner" and my dad was unemployed. My mom and I have always been best friends, but my dad and I haven't had a good relationship since middle school. We’re just very different people.

I have no information regarding my birth parents at the moment. However, I am trying to look for them. Searching for my birth parents gives me hope. 

Growing up, I struggled with feeling as if my birth parents didn't want me, that they didn't love me. I felt different compared to everyone else around me.

As I got older, I started to read more about adoption, which helped me better understand that my birth parents abandoned me due to government related issues.

Now, I know that my birth parents loved me and most likely think about me still.

Sharing my story is important because I believe people need to know more about adoption. It's not as negative as some people think it is.