Resources
Resources: If you would like to add your resource to this list, please contact me.
Appendix – Resources
What's Happening in Our Community (ADD YOUR EVENTS!) This is a full community event calendar
Suicide Hotline: Text 988 or call 800-273-8255
Author, Annette Becklund’s information:
www.Ancestrydiscoveries.com Follow the blog
www.AnnetteLBecklund.com Professional web page
Spotify playlist: Ancestry Discoveries – lyrics were not in the book due to copywrite laws but the story in music can be found on Spotify. See on the bottom of this page for a QR code.
Article: DNA Discoveries: What Happens Under the Sheets Doesn’t Stay There Forever
https://issuu.com/fmhca/docs/aug_2020
Community Organizations
Coalition for Genetic Truth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/genetictruth
Twitter: @GeneticTruth
Instagram: @genetic_truth
Right to Know Organization - https://righttoknow.us/
Right to Know supports everyone impacted by genetic identity issues and loss of genetic continuity from adoption, assisted reproduction, or non-paternal events (NPE) and promote understanding of the complex intersection of genetic information, identity, and family dynamics. They advance our fundamental human right to know our genetic identity through education, mental health initiatives, and advocacy.
Each month RTK holds an on-line group discussion with a licensed therapist and an educational webinar, check out the events page. They maintain a hotline, 323-TALK-MPE, so no one ever feels alone with their discovery (or reach out online). Give us a call, we’re here to listen, pair you with a mentor, help you find a therapist, identify genetic family, and answer any questions.
Community Calendar of Events: https://righttoknow.us/all-community-events/
Social Media @RightToKnowUs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RighttoKnowUS
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@righttoknowus
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/righttoknowus
Twitter: https://twitter.com/righttoknowus
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/right-to-know
MPE Counseling Directory (www.MPECounseling.org)
A list of licensed professionals by state with experience working with people with misattributed parentage, adoption, assisted reproduction, and NPEs. If you do not see a therapist in your state, call 323-TALK-MPE and we’ll help you find one.
MPE Education Classes and Informational Videos (www.MPE-Education.org)
Online classes, informational videos, and past RTK webinars, on topics related to DNA surprises, adoption, assisted reproduction, and NPEs. There are also classes available with continuing education credits for licensed therapists.
RTK Peer-Led Facebook Support Groups
MPE Life: DNA Surprise, NPE, Adoptee, & Donor Conceived (DCP) (https://www.facebook.com/groups/mpelife)
MPE Life is an inclusive support group for individuals with a DNA Surprise, genetic identity issues, loss of genetic continuity, or a Misattributed Parental Experience (MPE) geared towards building friendships and encouraging lighthearted banter around our new Life with an MPE. The group offers a brave space to connect, share, and discuss the full range of experiences, challenges, and emotions surrounding adoption, assisted reproduction, and people with an NPE.
Cross Cultural Connections from a DNA Surprise (https://www.facebook.com/groups/mpeccc)
This intersectional support group for people with a DNA surprise that offers a safe space to share, process, give and receive feedback, pool resources, and have discussions about the experiences, challenges, emotions and highlighting changes in ethnicity surrounding MPEs.
MPE Jewish Identity & DNA Surprise (https://www.facebook.com/groups/mpejewishidentitysurprise)
This support group is for individuals who through DNA testing have discovered Jewish heritage and, in some cases, lost it due to a DNA test. This group is welcoming to all. It is a safe space to share, process, give and receive feedback, pool resources, and have discussions about the full range of experiences, challenges, and emotions of the MPE Jewish journey.
DNA Surprise Support for MPE Family and Friends (https://www.facebook.com/groups/dnasurprisesupportmpefamilyfriends)
This is an inclusive support group for family and friends of individuals impacted by a DNA Surprise or a Misattributed Parental Experience (MPE). The group offers a safe space to connect, share, meet up, and discuss the full range of experiences, challenges, and emotions from the impacts of adoption, assisted reproduction, and people with an NPE.
MPE Counseling Collective (https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.mpecounseling.org)
This is a discussion group for licensed mental health professionals who assist people with a DNA surprise, impacted by genetic identity issues, who've had an MPE, are adopted, donor conceived, or had an NPE to exchange ideas and resources.
Facebook Private Groups
Adoptees Only: Found/Reunion The Next Chapter
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1567902216819000
Coalition for Genetic Truth
https://www.facebook.com/groups/272253974066160
Twitter: @GeneticTruth
Instagram: @genetic_truth
DNAngels NPE Support Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/dnangelssupportgroup
Twitter: @DNAngels4
Instagram: @dnangelsorg
DNA Surprises Support Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1798909400175879/
Donor Conceived People, Siblings, Parents, and Donors (Sperm, Egg, Embryo)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/DonorConceived
MPE Cross Cultural Connections
https://www.facebook.com/groups/463672101233690
NPE Only: Togetherness Heals
https://www.facebook.com/groups/npeonly/
Twitter: @NPEsOnly1
Instagram: @npesonly
Severance (Adoptees, NPEs, Donor-Conceived & Other Identity Seekers)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/402792990448461
Togetherness Heals Peer to Peer Facebook Support Groups
Togetherness Heals~NPE Only (https://www.facebook.com/groups/npeonly)
Togetherness Heals~ NPE Only is a safe haven solely for NPEs, LDAs and Donor Conceived Persons (no family or friends), because "Togetherness Heals." Our peer to peer support groups offer twice weekly Zooms in addition to Facebook support.
Togetherness Heals~Book Club
(https://www.facebook.com/groups/togethernesshealsnpebookclub) Togetherness Heals~ Book Club is a safe haven solely for NPEs , Donor Conceived Adults and Adoptees (no family or friends), because Togetherness Heals" The group was formed with NPEs, Donor Conceived Adults, and Adoptees in mind. In this safe container we read, digest, dissect and share books written by and/or for NPEs, Donor Conceived Adults, and Adoptees in various stages of their journeys.
Togetherness Heals~Adoptees Only
(https://www.facebook.com/groups/togethernesshealsadopteesonly) Togetherness Heals~ Adoptees Only is a a safe haven solely for Adoptees and LDAs (no family or friends), because “Togetherness Heals.” Our peer-to-peer support groups offer twice weekly Zooms in addition to Facebook support.
This MPE Life
https://www.facebook.com/groups/thismpelife
Additional Facebook Support Groups: Adopted Adults Support Group, DNA NPE Friends (with multiple specialty and spin off groups, i.e. Jewish, Over Fifty, Creativity, Photography, Regional); Adoptees, NPEs DC & Other Genetic Identity Seekers; Adult Adoptees Support Adopted People; DNA Surprise Support Group for MPE Family & Friends; Donor Conceived Community Support Group; Donor Conceived People, Siblings, Parents, and Donors; Donor Deceived; Forum for Late Discovery Adoptees; Late Discovery Adoptees & Family; NPE Only: After the Discovery; Unknown Fathers DNA; We are Donor Conceived.
MEDIA (podcasts and magazines specifically for NPEs/MPEs)
DNA Surprises Podcast
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dnasurprises
Instagram: @dnasurprises
Everything's Relative Podcast: Eve Sturges, LMFT, MA
www.everythingsrelativepodcast.com
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everythings-relative-with-eve-sturges/id1459167540
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everythings-relative-with-eve-sturges/id1459167540
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everythingsrelativepodcast
Instagram: @everythingsrelativepodcast
NPE Guide
https://www.npeguide.com/ Dr. Gina Daniel
NPE Stories podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/npe-stories/id1464478802
https://open.spotify.com/show/0llQ713NQl025zujkmvD5V?si=Q29JO5PGSKGnOvJCg61r4w
Instagram: @lilymwood
Severance Magazine
Website: https://www.severancemag.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/severancemag
Twitter: @Severancemag
Instagram: @severancemag
Sex, Lies & The Truth podcast
https://sexliesandthetruth.com
Twitter: @JodiRabb
Instagram: @sexliestruth
SEARCH ANGELS
DNAngels
Website: https://www.dnangels.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dnangels.org
Twitter: @DNAngels4
Instagram: @dnangelsorg
RETREATS
DNA Surprise Retreat
FOR NPES, DONOR-CONCEIVED PEOPLE, & ADOPTEES WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED DNA SURPRISES
The DNA Surprise Retreat is for adults experiencing the grief and shock that can only be felt following a DNA discovery.
You will find community with people who have similar experiences, learn skills to cope with a DNA surprise, and most importantly, discover how to step into your power and heal.
Hiraeth Hope & Healing (https://www.facebook.com/groups/hiraethhopeandhealing) (www.hiraethhopeandhealing.com)
HH&H hosts healing retreats for adoptees, donor conceived people, late discovery adoptees, and NPEs. Five days and four nights of healing in a community, with a maximum of 30 attendees. They are hosted in private, upscale houses with carefully chosen facilitators who are experts in their fields, and healing sessions that will benefit everyone, no matter what stage of the journey you are in. 10 delicious meals, 6 workshops, time to relax, renew and refresh, and foster friendships, both old and new. Come join us and experience the safety of being among folks who understand you before they even know you. No other retreat exists like these!
Author notes: There are numerous sub-groups for several of these support groups and resources. New support groups continuously develop. Author belongs to several of the above groups. This list does not indicate endorsements or recommendations. You can try several, one, or all, and you can unfollow or leave any group at any time. There are frequent updates to these resources as the NPE/MPE community expands.
Music!
QR Code Spotify Ancestry Discoveries Play List
Music tells many stories. This music is all part of mine. Feel free to contact me to add some since you are part of my story too.