‘The Sound of Hope: A True Story of an Adoptee’s Quest for Her Origins’

Every United States citizen enjoys the right and the liberty to have full access to their own public records, including birth certificates — except adoptees. Only six states allow adoptees to view their original birth certificate. In the other 44 states, adoptees must petition the courts and show good cause for access to their own birth certificates while there is no guarantee that permission will be given. Author Anne Bauer is one of these adoptees and has written about her journey in her book “The Sound of Hope: A True Story of an Adoptee’s Quest for Her Origins” (published by iUniverse), honored with the coveted Editor’s Choice Award, Publisher’s Choice Award and the prestigious Rising Star Award.

In spite of the sentimentalized stories about adoption, there is another side: an adoptee’s desire for discovering his or her identity often threatens the adoptive parents, which creates a home filled with anger and jealousy. In addition, the law does not assist the adoptee in finding answers regarding their birth parents. Bauer has become an advocate in hopes of changing this. She believes it is the civil right of adoptees to be given full access to all of their own information, including their original birth certificates.

Bauer’s memoir details how she set out to uncover her origins while going against opposition from her family and society. She brings an unforgettable message that no one should be cut off from their origins, but allowed to add to the tapestry of their lives. It’s her hope that laws will be reformed to give adoptees access to their records.

About the Author

Anne Bauer was inspired to write a true account of her life as an adopted individual in hopes of raising awareness of civil rights of adoptees and instigating reform in the current laws pertaining to adoptee records. She is a registered nurse and Reiki energy healer and lives in northern New Jersey with her husband and their three children. You may find out more about her at www.adopteesvoice.com.