Policy & Law: Mutual Consent: Testimonials

To Whom It May Concern:

In 1968 I was adopted; in 2000, my birthmother, with the help of Midwest Adoption Agency (not the agency who handled my adoption) hunted me down.  It has not been a good or happy reunion.

I have explained my story to WI State Representative Mark Gun drum and he is willing to look into a bill which strictly prohibits open records.  I hope to make it the toughest in the nation in that no individual, private detective, or third party agency can open any adoption records.  It is my contention that if individuals want to waive their rights to privacy, they may do so on any number of adoption registries available.  However, if a person is not on these registries (perhaps a national registry can be started?/), then these people cannot circumvent the individual's right to privacy by opening records.  Our legislators have done a wonderful job of protecting  us from the annoying phone calls of telemarketers during dinner, why not protect us from these invasions of such a private nature?  We are in no way taking the ability to reunite away from anyone who WANTS to be reunited as the registries allow for this; we are, however, trying to protect those who do not want any type of contact.  People fail to understand that even if you decline to speak with the individual or have further contact, the shock, anger and pain have already occurred as soon as you get the letter that a birthrelative is searching for you.

I have also attached a copy of the letter sent to my representative here in WI and ma working on one for Illinois legislators today.  However, I think this needs to be done on a federal level due to jurisdictional issues.

Kudos to your organization for understanding the privacy rights of individuals affected by adoption!

Sincerely,

Alisa A. Alfaro

Click here to read Alisa's letter to Senator Kohl.