Carol presented a paper at Brock University on “The Right of Adoptees to Know Their Origins” at the National Joint Social Work Conference held within the larger Congress of Social Sciences and the Humanities. She stated her conviction that the right of adopted persons surpasses all other adoption issues in importance. Tracing the history of open adoption records in other countries, in Canada, and specifically in Ontario, Carol lauded the tireless efforts of the Coalition of Adoption Records which resulted in the passing of The Access to Adoption Records Act in 2009. While it is a modified Bill with contact and disclosure vetoes, Canada is heading in the right direction with respect to open adoption records in all provinces and territories. Carol helped plan, organize and presided at an adoption event at First United Church, Ottawa, called “Inside the Adoption Circle.” It was a gathering to honour all whose lives had been touched by adoption. Themes of the gathering were: Loss, Comfort, and Celebration and Challenge. Participants included Elaine and Theland Kicknosway, Carol’s adoptive daughter and grandson who drummed and sang; Lorena Duncan on harp; Margaret Singleton, an adult adoptee, who read a birth mother’s poem “Our Time”; Kim Butler, a birth grandmother, who spoke of her love for her daughter, a birth mother; Sue Taylor, an adult adoptee, who read a poem “A Child’s Lament” written by Cheryl Farris-Manning; Geoff Oliver, an adoptive father who reflected on his family’s life with Francky, his son adopted from Haiti; Dorothy Naylor and Garth Mundle who presented their story of the adoption of their two sons in “Reflections”; Karen White-Jones who spoke of the adoption of her son Zane in “God Gracious Gift.” Songs by Laura Smith “Gartan Mother’s Lullaby” and John Denver “All This Joy” were heard. Those who came sang “”Stay With Us,” and “We Are Sending You Light” and shared A Litany. One of the highlights was the Ritual of Light - those present were invited to light a candle in honour of someone in the adoption circle.
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AuthorCarol Bowyer Shipley brings a unique perspective to the world of adoption as an adoptee, an adoptive mother and an adoption professional. As adoption practitioner and birth parent counsellor, she worked for 25 years in the private adoption system and public child welfare agencies in Ontario with adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents. Recently retired, she lives in Ottawa, Canada, with her husband, Ken. Her four children, their spouses, and seven grandchildren constantly enrich her life. This is the updated edition of her first book, published in 2013. Archives
July 2016
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