Wilton woman: Adoptees deserve same rights as everyone else

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.

I am writing in reference to Senate bill 977 . I am a 45 year old mother of two young children living in
Wilton CT; I was born in Hartford in December of 1971 and adopted at the age of six weeks. I have had
a wonderful family life, have a brother who is also adopted and now have 10 year old and 8 year old of
my own.

I was always curious about my biological parents but never took action as I knew records were sealed in
CT . But 11 years ago when I became pregnant with my daughter (who looks just like me - the first
person I know who looks like me!), I began to think more about my biological history and my lack of
medical history. Every time I go to the Dr. I have to check the box that says I don’t know my medical
history. Do I have family history of breast cancer? Don’t know. Family history of high blood pressure?
Don’t know. Family history of Thyroid issues? Don’t know ...the list goes on. I try to be vigilant in my
healthcare but not knowing anything puts my children and I at an extreme disadvantage.

I also want to know more about my heritage and know it is a basic human and civil right to know your
origins. Unlike other states around me, because I was born in CT ( a state that I live in and love) I am not
allowed these basic rights to see my original birth certificate. With the widespread availability of DNA
tests, I can get closer to knowing who my biological family members may be, but the fact that in this
day and age I need to go that route is frustrating.

My family and friends have been very supportive on this journey and they all cannot believe that I don’t
have the same rights as they do - that I do not have access to my original birth certificate. It is a basic
human right and I am denied that basic right. Now is the time that adoptees of all ages in Connecticut
have the same basic right. Thank you.

Eliza Brown