Michelle McManus didn't think she'd ever be leading a public advocacy movement, and yet her online presence showcases the power of her healing journey. Her life speaks to the truth that we can do beautiful things, even when we have hard histories.
Michelle Marie, also known as BabyBeBrave_,is an international adoptee, born in Romania. She lived in an orphanage and was adopted at the age of two by an American family. When she was eight, her parents changed her life forever when they shared they had adopted her. From that point on, her questions were unending. In high school, Michelle began to search for her birth mother. It was five years later that with the help of a private investigator she found her birth mother, but their reunion was very different from the one Michelle had longed for. The initial response was one of rejection, and Michelle has spent many years carrying and trying to process that pain. A recent discovery of a letter her birth mother wrote to her is starting to change the narrative, and they are now in reunion.
In our interview, Michelle shares how her deep anguish led her to an attempt at taking her life. Yet, in the midst of that pain, Michelle decided to live. She also decided to create. She says, "When I started Baby Be Brave, I met a whole community of other Adoptees which I never knew existed. The love and support they provide me not only makes me feel like I belong but has inspired me to know my purpose in life. My struggles of being adopted and the struggles of my fellow Adoptees have led me to become an advocate for the Adoptee community. I want to be that person I wish I had growing up for others who are adopted. In addition, Baby Be Brave wants to focus on helping the entire Adoption Triad (Adoptees, Adoptive Parents, and Birth Parents) by providing as much support through support groups and by building a safe and loving community. There will always be trauma that comes with adoption, but I’m making it my life’s mission to help eliminate as much trauma as possible for all included in the adoption process."
We do talk about some potentially triggering topics during this episode including conception by rape, sexual assault, the trauma that comes from adoption, and suicide. There is always someone available to help: National Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-8255
Here's how you can connect with Michelle:
Instagram: @babybebrave_
Facebook: @babybebrave24
Email: team@babybebrave.com
Website: www.babybebrave.com
Enjoy today's episode and as Michelle says, remember, Be Brave!
