Adoptee Who Worked for Passage of Rhode Island Birth Certificate Acess Bill, Reunites with Birth Family

“Kara Foley shared some special news when she spoke Friday at the ceremonial signing of a bill that gives adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates.

By all means, she was glad to see that the bill had finally passed and been signed into law.
But she was also excited to tell the audience in the State Room at the State House about a recent event in her own life. Just days before — last Saturday and Sunday — she was reunited with members of her own birth family.

As she explained later, her reunion had nothing to do with the legislation. While working for passage of the bill, Foley, 27, was also trying to find her own birth family. Taking what little information she had, she had posted the information on a website that helps adoptees and their birth families to connect.

On Sept. 5 — two days before her 27th birthday — an older half-sister responded to the post on the website.

“She had known about me I guess since I was born, had always wondered what had happened to me, and so she turned on the computer and happened to click on that site, happened to see that posting and, sent me an e-mail,” Foley said.

Last weekend, that connection culminated in Foley meeting her birth mother, several sisters, a grandfather and an aunt. She did so with the full support of her adopted family, who “understood how important it was.”

“It’s a little overwhelming, because I was raised as an only child, so finding out you have seven siblings is a little intense,” she said after Friday’s signing. “But it’s really exciting, and everyone is so nice, and they all really want to get to know me, just as much as I want to get to know them.”

About two dozen people, including the bill’s lead sponsors, Sen. Rhoda E. Perry, D-Providence, and Rep. John M. Carnevale, D-Providence, watched as Governor Chafee put his signature on the bill that could make searches like Foley’s a little easier.”

Adoptee, worked for passage of R.I. bill, reunites with birth family
[The Providence Journal 9/17/11 by Randal Edgar]

Our previous coverage of this Bill can be viewed here.

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