Adoption, Reunion and Genetic Attraction: Sophia Greenwood’s Story

Today’s episode explores one of the most complex and rarely spoken about experiences that can arise in adoption reunion.

My guest is Sophia Greenwood, an adopted person who was born in the UK in 1965 and separated from her mother at five weeks old. In her early twenties, Sophia began searching for her biological family. After an intense and ultimately difficult reunion with her mother, she made contact with her biological father, Michael, who was living in Australia.

What began with a video, letters and long-distance phone calls developed into an extraordinarily powerful connection. When Sophia and Michael eventually met in person, that connection became something neither of them had anticipated or understood how to navigate, and ultimately became intimate. Sophia has spent many years trying to understand what happened during that period of her life and has now written about it in her book, Forbidden Love: A True Story of Adoption, Reunion, and Longing.

Before we hear from Sophia we’ve invited trauma psychotherapist, educator and fellow adoptee Monique Pangari to help us understand the terms genetic attraction and genetic sexual attraction, or GA and GSA, and some of the psychological and emotional complexities that can accompany adoption reunion.

Then we’ll hear Sophia’s story, in her own words.

Keywords - adoption, reunion, trauma, biological parents, love, mental health, family, identity, emotional healing

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sophia Greenwood's story

02:43 Sophia's early life and circumstances of her adoption

07:52 The decision to search and initial contact with her biological mother

12:14 Childhood memories and early family life

17:01 The first meeting with her biological mother and siblings

22:23 The emotional intensity of reunion and developing feelings

33:04 The relationship with Michael and its complexities

47:50 Realization of feelings that didn't fit the father-daughter framework

58:12 The internal conflict and decision to step out of the relationship

01:12:23 The impact of revealing the secret to her adoptive parents

01:14:42 Reflections on her younger self and understanding trauma

01:16:58 Current relationship with Michael and her family today

01:19:05 The meaning of family after her experiences

01:21:07 Why she chose to share her story now

01:23:33 The importance of open conversations about adoption trauma

01:24:28 Where to find Sophia's book and final thoughts

This episode discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised. For more information go to ⁠⁠⁠http://www.jigsawqueensland.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠

To be considered for interview on the podcast, fill in the prospective guest form you'll find on the podcast page of the website.

Your host is Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow - President of Jigsaw Queensland (⁠⁠⁠www.jigsawqueensland.com⁠⁠⁠)

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If you are looking for support and reside in Queensland, Australia, you can reach Jigsaw Queensland's Forced Adoption Support Service on toll-free 1800 21 03 13, or you can call Jigsaw on 07 3358 6666. If you live in another state of Australia, you can still call the Forced Adoption Support Service in the state that you're calling from. In every other state of Australia, Relationships Australia operates this service.

A big thank you to Matt Sparrow for composing and recording our original theme music.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and the many lands that our clients now live on and we wish to acknowledge and show our respects to Elders past and present for their continuing connection to culture and the contributions they make to community. We acknowledge how much we have to learn from them and their unique understanding of connection and adoption and their recognition that at the base of every change is truth telling and healing.