AWOKEN is now available
Please click here if you would like to purchase the Awoken E-book (Available as an ePub or PDF)
Writing Awoken has been a long journey for Briggita and myself – both separately and together. It is the book we wish we had been able to read – a ‘hand to hold’ through the journey from surviving to thriving.
We have written this book to raise awareness and understanding about a topic that affects so many New Zealanders. Until recently, very little has been written about the inner experience of being adopted so it is a topic that is not often understood in society or by adopted people themselves.
The inspiration and motivation to write Awoken was to illuminate how the adoptive experience may impact upon and shape adopted people’s lives. Our personal and professional experience revealed that for many it can limit an ability to be authentic, to feel worthy, to enjoy closeness in relationships, to trust life and to be happy.
If, as well as helping adopted people feel that they are not alone in their experience, we have also enlightened affected partners, parents, children, siblings, friends, and extended whānau about what has traditionally been hidden, perhaps those who have experienced adoption first hand may find greater understanding and empathy for any challenges they face. It is this acknowledgement, validation and awareness that can liberate, heal and empower.
Awoken is a memoir style ‘from the heart' account of our experiences growing up in New Zealand during the closed adoption era, the search for our birth families, and the impact of reunion. The book is structured into three parts. The first two tell the story of our adoptions, reunion with our birth families, our post-reunion experiences, and the healing journey. The third part shares some of the story of our birthmothers, and one of our birthfathers, as well as giving an insight into the impact of our journey on some of those closest to us – our birthparents, partners, and adult children.
This honest and brave story uncovers the hidden truth of adoption - the unseen challenges faced by many adoptees due to their early experience of relinquishment, the hope and heartbreak of the reunion journey, the common themes that shape the lives and relationships of those who are impacted by adoption. It also offers a pathway to heal, to grow and to thrive.
“Just wanted to know that I have finished reading your book! I just could not put it down. I read it during my lunch breaks, when I got home from work and late into the night. It was so easy to read and follow and the layout was perfect.
I enjoyed having two adoption stories to read about, as it really shows how unique each individuals adoption journey is and having perspectives from all parties was truly amazing as I would of left with wonderings, questions and not knowing…….
Thank you so much for giving me insight into the adoption world especially based in NZ in the close adoption era. It was truly incredible and I really appreciated the book had input from everyone involved as this really gave a full perspective.
As an adoption social worker and only been in the role for just under a year, your story provided me with real insight into the impacts of adoptions and I will be able to use this knowledge when working with people who reach out and want to know more about who they are and their adoption story. So grateful to you and Briggita.”
This book is also available from Amazon at the Kindle Store.