Better Late than Never: An Adoptee Finally Finds Answers
S4, Ep. 9: Mike
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.”
Also in this episode, Sarah and Louise discuss American Baby by Gabrielle Glaser.
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