Birth Moms Real Talk D. Yvonne Rivers

Monica was adopted at the age of 4 months. Her parents who adopted her from a foster home in Alaska saw her resilience grow to become a “strong young lady“ who exhibited her “power“. Monica loved the attention from her mother, she felt the need to be loved. Monica became resilient to overcome challenges and became the “ tomboy” in the family.
Monica experienced the infamous Alaska earthquake that traumatized many. Monica’s way of coping was to “stuff down deep inside” the dysfunction she experienced.
Facing signing relinquishment papers after giving birth in the hospital was overwhelming.
Monica is in reunion and states that she is experiencing her “destiny“ and is encouraging others to give themselves “Grace“ for Healing.
Monica has released her memoir after eight years of work, entitled “ Practically Still A Virgin", which is available on Amazon and other book outlets.

Lori spoke about her experience of becoming a mother as lonely and afraid. Lori talked about her uniqueness of being Jewish and the perspective of the guilt and shame placed on her. Lori experienced many traumas in her life that brought many challenges of “coping in life “.
She spoke about the “voices” in her ear that determined her own voice of asking herself “ if she was worthy. Lori traveled the road of many birth/first mothers of building the courage to “ Speak “ and share her story. She has found her “ Voice “.

Nicole -We are Told to Move On … Not Easy
Nicole exhibited strength beyond belief as many birth mothers. Nicole experienced many losses from the age of 5, she persisted.
Nicole’ resilience grew stronger with each trauma. She has built a relationship with her son in her open adoption.
Now, she is in the midst of one of her Biggest traumas. Listen as she shares her journe

Marisa describes her childhood as being a “tough life” living with her single mom. There were many “ life transitions she experienced at an early age without the comfort and love to deal with her traumas. Marisa lived life on the streets and managed to stay focused towards a better life.
A Friday night invitation for pizza changed her perspective on life. Marisa “Found the Ones” who were meant to be in her life. Marisa shared “words of wisdom” from her life experience and her chosen profession.

Maddy grew up with both parents and at an early age lived with both parents in separate homes. She received support as a young teenager from both parents. When Maddy discovered she was pregnant with her boyfriend, she was at a difficult place and decision. She faced the voices of others regarding "what she should do", She faced the same stigma that most birth mothers faced as an 18-year-old unmarried mother. 
Maddy is a strong and determined young lady who makes up her mind and gets it accomplished. Maddy wants all birth mothers to know that " they have a voice" and they are free to use it. Open adoption is Hard and may 'Shift" from the original agreement. Maddy talks about her devastation and pain when the rules changed about her seeing her daughter. Maddy shares about how she is progressing and experiencing some 'good news' about her life.

Yvonne started her reunion with her son by finding him on social media in 2015, connected to him and meeting for the first time after 45 years in 2018 and now 2023, still progressing on a path of Grace and Healing. Yvonne started BMRT Podcast in June 2021 as a “ Place of providing a safe place for birth and natural mothers to share their “truth’ of disenfranchised grief for so many years. Our moms range from 14 years old to over 40 years, from the 1950s to now, who share their adoption stories.
We are all Mothers and our stories are different. This episode covers Yvonne sharing her steps, her thoughts, her journey in reunion. Reunion is Great AND Hard at the same time. This reality of facing nature versus nurture, facing the discovery of each other and growing to love her son and allowing him the space to process, accept and grow to love her. It is indeed a roller coaster journey . It is “ All about Love”.  We are All in This Together. Listen to Episode 00 , where Yvonne shares her full journey with Damon Davis of “ Who Am I Really Podcast “