In this ‘Glimpse Into’ series, Karen Chaston shares the pivotal moments that have been shaped her becoming a mother and subsequently placing her daughter for adoption at 16.

Across nine heartfelt videos, she has spoken about her coerced choice, her struggle with identifying as a biological mother, the silent burden of grief and loss, and the complex emotions of reunion. She has also explored how adoption influenced her relationships, her experience of parenting after adoption, her drive in career and purpose, her journey of healing and growth, and, finally, her reflections on legacy and purpose.

Together, these stories reveal Karen’s emotional fingerprint; the lasting imprint of her placing her daughter for adoption, marked by loss, resilience, love, and the search for meaning. Her journey highlights not only the unseen struggles of biological mothers, but also the lifelong tug of the emotional umbilical cord that connects mother and child.

Through sharing vulnerably, Karen invites adoptees, biological parents, adoptive parents, and extended families to better understand the many layers of adoption; and to recognise that it is not a one-time event, but an experience that shapes generations. She highlights how loss and separation leave lasting emotional and psychological imprints that influence identity, reunion, and healing.

Please subscribe for more conversations that honour The Emotional Fingerprint of an Adoptee and empower everyone connected to adoption to embrace their story with resilience, acceptance, and a deeper connection.

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