I can't imagine my life without the camp experience. And I can't speak as a camper, only as leadership, but I have to say it has changed the person I am. There are so many questions growing up, identity struggles, teenage angst and most of all trying to figure out who I was.
The panels gave me a rare insight on what other adoptees think, feel and experience, as well as how parents view,act and respond, to their children. Its a special connection we achieve in these panels. Parents get to see up close and personal, what it's like to be an adoptee. And sometimes, adoptees get to say out loud what and how they feel for the first time. It's hard to always articulate how and what we are feeling, and the vocabulary isn't always there for us to address our issues.
For some it's an easy transition from realizing we are adopted and assimilating into our environment. For others its a constant struggle, and for them I write this blog. I had a great childhood, and I love my parents, but there were struggles, avoidance, denial of feelings and not enough information to deal with adopting a child of color. I can't blame my parents entirely, but I can recognize the issues we had and what kind of environment that created.
I realize for some adoptees that our journeys are all different, and for some the questions and struggles come later on in life. I love the fact that we have a community where we can talk about it, share and support each other. That's what's most important to me. Just a thought I was having today......
Thank you for sharing your insights on adoption. I'm the adoptive mom of a boy (17) and a girl (14), both born in Korea. Depending on when you started working at the Holt camps you may have even met them! Currently we are really working through some big big issues and feelings surrounding adoption, and getting perspective from many sources helps, thank you!
ReplyDeleteHmm, that would be really crazy if I did have them as campers! What camp did they go to and when? I've only been doing it since last year. It really makes me happy to think that my experience, might help other adoptees and parents. If you ever need some advice, or an adult adoptee's perspective, please don't hesitate to email!! And thank you so much for sharing that with me!
ReplyDelete