Mike: Better Late than Never: An Adoptee Finally Finds Answers

Mike Berman was conceived in Bay City, Michigan in November 1944 and was born on
August 8, 1945 in Nashville, Tennessee to an 18 year old woman who surrendered
him for adoption to the Tennessee Childrenʼs Home Society the day after his birth.
Mike was adopted by a Jewish couple living in New York City and he was raised
there. In February 1950 his Mom gave birth to her only natural child, Mikeʼs
younger brother. Mike never considered searching for his birth parents until he
began to see the online ads for DNA testing and finally began his search in late
June 2017. In addition to DNA testing Mike discovered that because of the
appalling crimes committed by the TCHS under the direction of Georgia Tann he
would be able to acquire his complete adoption record from TN. Mike received
those records in late September 2017 and they proved to be a treasure trove of
information. In addition to his genealogical research Mike also began to read
about adoption and the psychological havoc it leaves in its wake. He has also read
many of the books written by other adoptees and has benefitted from the insight
and understanding they have achieved, each from their unique experiences. That
self-education continues and Mike expects it will go on for as long as he can keep
at it. Mike is currently in happy reunion with an older half-brother and a younger
half-sister, all three being the only remaining children of their common birth
mother, and all of them born on a Wednesday (refer to the childrenʼs rhyme
MONDAYʼS CHILD). Mike and his sister have met three times in person, most
recently earlier this month. His brother lives in Rhode Island and they havenʼt met
but they all keep in touch by phone and social media. Mike has been retired since
2014 and lives in Central Texas. He has been married twice, divorced once and is
currently separated from his second wife. Mike has two sons, one daughter, one
grandson, and one son-in-law who has the same first and middle name as his
adoptive brother. All of them live in the same town and get together regularly for
holidays and birthdays and for the occasional random reason. Mike has a 5 year
old female cat, Clara, who graciously permits him to share her house in exchange
for full-time litter-box maintenance. Mike says, “Life is good.”

To go directly to Mike's interview, skip ahead to  8:26.

Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.

Thank you to our sponsor S12F.

Joe Soll & other adoptee resources
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Reckoning with the Primal Wound Documentary

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