Medical Mysteries...Hidden by Adoptions 
written by Jude
 For several years I have suffered from a undiagnosed 
medical condition which has left me totally ventilator 
dependent and repeatedly being asked the same question..
"What's your Family Medical History".  I had but one answer 
to give them..."I don't know I am Adopted". This answer 
I was giving to the Doctors did not only effect myself 
but also my 15 yr old son who was now beginning to 
show symptoms of my illness. This made my determination 
to find my biological family even more critical. 
I began begging the courts for assistance but with 
the laws as vague and unclear as they are I only found 
frustration with the system. I began to see who the 
laws protected and who were the true victims of adoption. 
I turned to the internet and resources such as the 
Adoption Network of Cleveland for possible ideas and 
avenues to explore that could help unlock my medical mystery. 
I was given a host a different approaches to maybe 
solving my adoption and locating my biological parents. 
 With pieces of information I gained from sources 
including High School Year Books, Property Tax Records, 
Internet White pages, which I searched people still 
living on the street and placed calls to old neighbors, 
I was able to locate my biological Mother, Brother, 
Sister, and learn of the passing of my Father and 
provide medical history to my doctors who are now
using this to better understand and treat my illness. 
I have met my biological family and we all have been 
catching up on time lost and we are looking forward 
to the times ahead of us. My sister and I have become 
long lost friends and we cherish in our hearts words 
spoken by our mother at our first meeting. As my sister 
and I sat side by side on a bale of straw glancing 
at our mother, tears rolling down her cheek. mom said 
"If I die tomorrow my dream has become reality. I am 
sitting her looking at my two daughters sitting together. my 
prayer was answered".  I started out on a mission to solve my 
medical mystery and gained so much more. By the way I forgot 
to mention my biological Mothers last name was "Jones" so don't 
give up hope it may only take 1 unturned stone. 

Article December 14, 1999 

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