Sir, - Since the foundation of the State, more than 100,000 Irish children have been adopted or fostered in Ireland and abroad. The social circumstances in which this unnatural separation of mothers and children took place were harsh, punitive and unforgiving.
Our network was formed some years ago as a self-help and support group for women and men who were parted from their children by adoption at any time in the past. Among our group are many women who have successfully established relationships with their now adult children, as well as those who are only beginning the long and often difficult search. We give practical information to those embarking on their searches, and we always emphasise that we do not act for people, nor do we provide counselling. We merely point them towards the statutory and other service-providers and tell them what assistance they are entitled to receive.
We know that by far the most beneficial service we offer is our monthly support meetings where anyone is welcome and where they can meet other women and men who have been through the same traumatic experience of having surrendered their children to be adopted. For most, they felt that they were given no choice at all.
We enjoy a very good working relationship with both the Department of Health and Children and the various health boards throughout the country, and we intend to build on that. As a result of these contacts, we're happy to report that the Eastern Regional Health Authority has provided a new venue for our monthly meetings and we are writing to inform your readers that the next meeting will take place on Friday, June 9th at 8 p.m. (and every second Friday of the month thereafter at the Carnegie Centre, 21-25 Lord Edward Street, Dublin 2).
We have deliberately re-scheduled the meetings to Fridays in order to facilitate people from outside Dublin who may wish to attend. In time, we would hope that the network will help to establish meeting facilities in the other health board areas.
In the meantime, your readers are welcome to write to us at the box number below. - Yours, etc.,
Bernie Harold, Chairperson, Natural Parents Network of Ireland, PO Box 6714, Dublin 4.