For adoptee, access to original birth certificate would mean a chance to finally learn who she is

Editor's note: This is one in an ongoing series of posts spotlighting support for our continued effort to provide adult adoptees born in Connecticut access to their original birth certificates. The testimony featured in this series was submitted to the state Legislature earlier this year in support of proposed legislation that would have restored the right of adult adoptees adopted before Oct. 1, 1983, to access their original birth certificate. (Post-1983 adoptees had this right restored in 2014.) The letters are published with the authors' permission. Sign up for our newsletter at www.accessconnecticut.org if you want to help us end discrimination against adoptees.

My (adopted) name is Rita Guimond. I was born April 7th, 1958. At age 59, I have had many unanswered questions.... about ME!

Jerry and Theresa Guimond were unable to have children. They waited patiently for their chance of adopting. I was told my father selected me out of a room full of baby girls. I stood out with my jet-black hair and when Jerry passed, by my crib, I gave him a big gummy smile. (Gas is my guess, but it worked). I was taken home as their new bundle of joy. One year and a half later, Theresa gave birth to a blond-haired, blue-eyed baby girl, they named Doris.

As soon as I was able to understand I was told that I was adopted. They said my (birth) parents died in a car accident. Years later, after my mother’s passing, my father gave me my original adoption papers issued by the Probate court. The original name of the baby girl they adopted was Judy Ann Garon. It was a stand out moment in my life! I now have my original name, and date of adoption, but not the names of my birth parents.

My adopted mother, father and sister have all since passed away. I am an “orphan” once again. I have told my story many times, to many people. All ask, are you looking for your original family? My answer is always no, because I cannot see my original birth certificate.

My request is simple. Will you please enact this bill so that I can be a step closer to finding out where I came from? At this stage in my life, my medical history is very important. I may never be able to complete the family history section on a medical form, but finding a link to any family medical history would be enormous. Maybe I can locate a brother, sister or cousin. That would be a life changing event, one I hope to experience before it is too late.

I am soon turning 59, and I my hope is that by my 60th birthday, I can at last know, where Judy Ann Garon n/k/a Rita M. Guimond came from. Thank you.
Rita M. Guimond