Prior to the launch on October 8th in Winnipeg, Ken and Carol met with Scott McDonald and expressed appreciation for his invaluable support during Carol’s reunion with her birth mother. Carol was inspired by meeting with adoption and foster workers from Metis Child and Family Services, thanks to friend, Dennis Lewycky. She was deeply moved to have more than 12 Fort Garry high school friends, and 3 primary school friends, whom she hadn’t seen in 60 years from her childhood village, at the Winnipeg launch. Grateful thanks to Marianne Hodgson, Fran Davis and Lois Johanson for spreading the word. The presence and support of her birth brother and his wife meant a lot to her.
In Saskatoon, dear friends of Carol and Ken’s, Paul and Nancy Wilkinson and Thelma Howard spread the word about the October 15th launch. Friends of their children—Aileen Hayden, Sheila and Wes Potter, and Susan Fowler came, as well as old friends—Allan Wickstrom, Rob Dumont, Phyllis and Brenda Baker, Kathy Simmie, and close work colleagues—Red Williams, Nik Semenoff, Dave Keegan, Mary Steiger. The Wilkinsons hosted a lovely after-launch gathering for Open School parents. Other people who came were interested in Carol’s book because of their own adoption connection.
The first book launch was held on September 28th in the Chapel of First United Church in Ottawa. Friends from church and adoption and just friends and family pitched in to make it a welcoming, exciting event. Eleanor Henderson, Ann Goldsmith, Terry Richmond, Margaret Maxted, Jane Ellis, and Shayla Mindell and others equally helpful bought and brought food, served drinks, sold books, and had attendees sign the guest book. Carol was thrilled to see Carleton professors Helen Levine and Colleen Lundy, her mentor in the audience. Jennifer Jang and her children, Ania Wasilewska and Kevin Murchie and their children came and brought flowers. It was heartwarming and overwhelming to greet birth mothers and adoptive families.
235 books were sold at the launches and another 365 have been sold individually.
- October 8, 2013 - Jen Zoratti’s story about Carol’s book appears in Winnipeg Free Press.
- October 7, 2013 - CBC Radio Winnipeg Information Show interviewed Carol about her book.
- September 21, 2013 - Shelley Page’s story “Speaking Up for the Voiceless” appears in The Ottawa Citizen