+h, “Fesaeme oF NT net AW ee EL Arr Seta oo Chapa ttre ti emeee wate ? gpa TE Natt ot heey Sy Re EIS ADOPTEE PLEADS Open up adoption records Dear Editor: Through a landmark deci- sion in Ontario, I had the opportunity to read my seal- ed file and all adopotion re- cords at the Children’s Aid Society of Brant. _The information I read in my files was very warm and personal. It gave me an un- - biased perspective of the ~ people and events that led to my surrender, placement and Subsequent adoption. I ap- plaud the Ministry and the social workers for truly ac- ting in my best interests. This experience has in- fluenced my life in a positive manner. If each adoptee was given the information that I have seen, then I know they would be filled with a great peace. The Government of British Columbia should open their files solely at the request of the adoptee, when they reacn the age of majori- ty and release all (identify- ing) information. This in- formation is extremely im- portant because it fills in the missing pieces of the adoptee’s identity. We, as human beings, are the sum total of our genetic factors and environmental experiences. In crisis situa- tions and even at the roughest times we can fall back on the fact that we know who we are - except Gov'ts must net interfere Dear Editor: . Watch out B.C.! American Congressmen will Slam the door on subsidized industries, draw down the _ blinds on selective measures aimed at keeping failing operations alive. Saw-milling is a case in point. If we rescue an export operation we are looking for trouble; sustain several and tariffs will go up against our lumber sales to the U.S.A. Senators and House Rep- resentatives from Washington and Oregon are on the alert. Government assistance for our forest products producers, they say, is cheating. Let normal market forces prevail. Let free enterprise do the job alone. Trade restrictions otherwise are inevitable. Victoria is headed in the opposite direction. Recent legislation creates a ‘‘crit- ical’? industry category. In trouble, a resource industry can apply for lower .power rates, lower property taxes, reduced sales taxes etc. Witness Granisle in min- ing. That mine will operate because it is now on our special subsidy list. Be it minerals or forest products we are gambling with our total livelihood. Be careful, I say. Governments must not interfere in the market process unless they have to. And with foreign politicians watching our every move, we should be doubly careful. Hon. Jack Davis, M.L.A. North Vancouver-Seymour CLASSIFIEDS 986-6222 the adoptee. 1 propose that adoptees have greater difficulty deal- ing with life’s problems because they are always searching for that base of self knowledge on which we all stand instead of focusing energy toward resolution of the problem. This is evidenced by the specific points in life that the adoptee experiences a strong desire to search: adoles- cence, marriage, birth of a child, death of parents, divorce, and middle age. At the risk of sounding negative, a crisis situation can be likened to having a noose aound one’s neck. Those who can stand on a firm base of self-knowledge can effectively remove this noose. The reason more adoptees have not spoken out. is because they are choked by this: noose, in- capable of vocalizing their feelings. | know, I was one such adoptce and I see it in so many others. Birth parents and adoptive parents already have a firm identity base. Therefore, the needs of the. adoptee must come be- fore the anonymity of the birth parents, There are two main argu- ments against the disclosure of adoption information. They are the need for con- fidentiality and protection of the child’s family. Close in- vestigation of these argu- ments will yield that they are no longer valid and are in fact myths. Through the years, as society changed, the adoption laws and policy did not. These myths of need for confidentiality and pro- tection were continually reinforced, without review of their basis, resulting in a mindset. Confidentiality was never promised in the sense of it being a sacred trust. Adop- tive and birth parents were never asked nor did they re- quest it. No document sign- ed by either party requesting confidentiality exists. Con- fidentiality was nothing more than policy that was enforced. Once the child reaches the age of majority the need to protect vanishes. An adult does not need to be pro- tected from his past/origin; he needs to understand it. By understanding one’s past/ origin, and perceiving ancestral continuity, one can focus on the present and look forward to the future. The adoptee who is cut off from his heritage suffers deep rooted anxiety from separation and identity loss. In this sense the adoptee is forced to continually five in the past and fantasize to fill in the unknown holes in his identity. The adoptee’s fan- tasy about his origin covers a ‘Send us your best recipe & you could win! V V e want our readers to send us their favorite recipes, for appetizers, main courses, desserts, and snacks. Our Recipe specialist, Eleanor Godley will choose the most interesting and appetizing recipes from all the entries and hey will published in our official North Shore cookbook, If Eleanor chooses one of yours, you win!. —— WIN! Norburn Lighting Centre 1 pair of Swing Arm Lamps Value $49. each Designer Save $25. Gift Certificate Mail your entries to: Recipe Contest 1139 Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver, B.C., V7M 2H4 Peter Black & Sons Freezer Pack #2 Value $29.95 The Steak Shop $25 Gift Certificate THE VOICE OF MOMTH AND WEST VANCOUVER ‘north shore’ news SUNDAY + WEDNESDAY + FHIDAY CONTEST CLOSES AUG. 12 wide range from the very best condition to the very worst. Anything that would be considered bad or harm- ful could be accepted by the adoptee because he has already fantasized for the worst. Regardless of what we label good or bad, an ad- justment has. to be made. The ‘‘good’’ ones are not any easier than the ‘‘bad’’ ones, Years ago the social shame - that would have been brought to bear on a single mother and an innocent in- fant (the involuntary member of adoption) would have been cruel and unnec- essary. An illegitimate child would have been branded a bastard and have had to carry that social stigma the rest of his life. Our society has evolved in a_ positive direction and no longer is there shame in single par- enthood. Society has recognized the need for par- enthood without marriage, with acceptance and open support. Adult adoptees need no-one to protect them and know what is in their best interest. The basis for confidentiality and protec- tion no longer exists. Open records solely at the request of the adoptee is the only human alternative. Properly implemented, such a step woud yield a positive return for society. Garry J. MacDonald Calgary, Alberta WHEN YOU CAN AFFORD TO LIVE ANYWHERE, WHY LIVE ANYWHERE ELSE? Luvary homes forsale in West Vancouver an the unspoiled Caulleild Plateau. SAUALEE— A privately planned community incorporating traditional home values with innovalive architectural design and building techniques, Even from the outside, cach luxusious homie gives youd feeling of t individuality and privacy. LS ( pper Levels, Caulleild Drive bxit-South. Yoo VG RANE BEV ELOUMENT “aves ta da better, at what we da best? 7 - Friday, August 9, 1985 - North Shore News SUMMER SEAFAIR on SAT. AUG. 10th 11 AM -4PM all proceeds to the purchase of a wheelchair. * Prizes * Raffle x Crafts »* Entertainment * White Whale « Tours Sale * Children’s # Barbeque Games CEDAR VIEW LODGE 1200 Cedar Village Close N. Vancouver 984-4251 FROM MID 8800's. WITH EXCEPTIONAL FINANCING AVAILABLE, SAHALEE For information 922-1531. pRadhed