How I found out my parents were siblings, and my life changed forever 

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My Dad told me there are no “illegitimate children”, only illegitimate parents. Bless this woman…

When I found out that my dad wasn’t my biological father, a friend (who had a similar experience), told me something that I hold in my heart today. “There is your biological dad,” she said. “And then there is your logical dad. Your logical dad raised you with love, support, protection. He taught you how to be a good person, and how to be a good parent in turn. You were his daughter - nothing can change that. You are your Logical Dad’s much-loved daughter.” That was such a balm for my truly broken heart. I have one dad - that’s my logical dad. I love him, and miss him every day. ❤

Why do the children always feel the shame of what adults do? Bless her.

The fact that her biological parents rejected her as an adult breaks my heart. They did not want to deal with the emotional issues they had caused her. What selfish cowards they were. I’m so glad she was blessed with a loving, adoptive family.

I hid childhood abuse from everyone, including my parents, for over thirty years. This led to me turning to alcohol to self medicate. I'm now 64, and both my parents have gone. I could never bring myself to tell them, which only left me in another battle it's only in the last couple of years that I have been able to speak to trusted people about it. With the help of someone from AA, I'm nearly 2 years sober 👍

How wonderful that she doesn’t have genetic issues. And looks like she was raised with love. How wonderful

She didn’t mess up. No one should keep questioning women who don’t marry or have children.

You did have the right to be angry . Your life was turned upside down . You are a good person

This woman is incredibly brave to tell her story. I admire her.

As a "adopted person," you always wonder "why" you were given up for adoption. I can honestly say, "I am sooo blessed to have been adopted." Ive always known because my mother always told me, "you were chosen; we chose you and we love you dearly." There was always someone in their, "my parents' circle of friends" that would openly say, "well you know they adopted her?" I overheard that comment and I repeated what my mom would say, "I am chosen. My mommy and Daddy chose me and because they chose me, that makes me special." Ive always known i was dearly loved. RIP MOMMY AND DADDY

This woman is amazing and her story breaks my heart. I’m sad she didn’t have children - she would clearly have been a wonderful mother.

I just want to hug her. I can’t imagine the strength it took to carry such a secret.

I'm so sorry that she felt shame. She had done nothing wrong!

My mother was the result of an incestuous union between her mother and her mother's older brother. When I found out the truth at the age of 34, I felt like someone had punched me in the gut. I cried a lot during those first few days afterward, but what can you do? They were dead and gone by then. I haven't openly shared this information because I can't imagine people wouldn't look at me differently.

"You silly, silly woman!" I LOVE that her friend told her that. I LOVE the way her family loved her.

A generational curse that she has broken at great cost to herself. Amazing woman. I am sure she is a wonderful Aunt.

Mental, spiritual, and emotional intelligence abounds within this remarkable women. One in a million.

This woman is phenomenal. She looks like a truly decent human being, and she cannot help how she was conceived.

No-one chooses the circumstances of their birth. No-one should feel shame as a result of those circumstances.

My heart aches for this sweet lady. Giving up a relationship and children the way she did, had to be beyond painful. Absolutely awful. God bless her.😢

I am a genealogist and I have done my own family tree, an ongoing project for over 40 years and I discovered one instance in my ancestry of this happing over 300 years ago. It was in Massachusetts and it showed that the parents were both put to death for the act and there was a court hearing to determine if the baby should also be put to death. Then a family member came forth and offered to raise the child and in the court record it stated that the family member was ordered not to reveal to the child where they came from. But since it's preserved in the record I was able to learn about it. This happened around the time of the witch hysteria, circa early 1690's.

This is just so sad. She lost out on being a mother and believed for so long that she is unworthy. She is an absolutely amazing woman.

She's just adorable. Guess her adoptive parents must have been amazingly loving to her.

This genuinely affected me deeply. I felt instantly so compassionate for Theresa, having had to go through what she did alone without anyone to support her emotionally for so many years. I don’t think I’ll ever forget her bravery. She is such a lovely person in every way. I also felt physically sick, almost immediately upon hearing her story, but not because of her background but rather because of the burden she carried for so long. She is a beautiful person, and she has blessed so many by sharing her story.

A brother and sister having a child at 14 and 16 (and conception was possibly at 13/15) tells me that there was something extremely sinister going on at home on TOP of the obvious.

She took on the burden of her parents past, when she was the product of it. That poor woman felt tainted for her beginnings. She sounds like a lovely soul. She is so articulate and told her story really well. Thank you for sharing it. I wish for your own good, you had unburdened yourself decades before you did.

I lost my Mum Dad and step Dad all within 7 months of each other in 2020. If I could bring just one back for the day it would be my step Dad every time. He was and still is my hero ❤

What a strong, sensible, lovely person.

The thought of her carrying so much shame on her own for so many years, had me tearing up. I am so glad she finally opened up, and allowed those she loved to help her carry all those feelings. Very strong, brave woman.

For such a traumatic experience of learning about her parents and the guilt and shame she carried for so long, this lady is incredibly strong.

I feel her pain. The day I found out mine were uncle and niece made me sick. Can only imagine how she really feels.

This poor sweet woman. My heart bleeds for her. I want to cry for her. I wish I could wrap my arms around her and hug her!! None of this is her fault, yet she's the one who has carried the shame! That's just so wrong. And the fact that it ruined her life makes it doubly wrong.

What a lovely, intelligent, articulate, woman. Inspirational! Thank you for speaking out.

What a beautiful soul! I'm so glad that she was finally able to release all sense of shame for something that was not her doing, and never hers to bear. May she live a long and bountiful life full of love, light, joy and peace! ❤🙏

I almost did not comment . . . I can totally relate to her feelings of shame and embarrassment of her conception because I feel the same way about mines. It is something that you learn early on to "sweep under the rug" and never discuss with anyone under any circumstance, no matter how close you become. The worst part is that it's always there and never goes away. My heart truly goes out to her and hope that she can go on to live fully after having told her story and no longer being captive by her conception.

The host is lovely and compassionate with her questions etc.

It doesn’t matter who your parents are, all that really matters is who you are.

How sad that a totally innocent person, through no fault of her own, internalized years of shame alone for the actions of others. What a brave and lovely woman who is worthy and deserves all the love due to her. So glad she is moving forward and helping others by telling her story.

I am glad that this lovely lady is physically healthy mentally and has no physical deformation or disability. She is quite blessed, and may she continue so. 💕

It was really unfair that having her biological father in the corner was sprung on her like that. Like she wasn’t already upset. Her biological mother probably knew she wouldn’t have agreed to a meeting with both of them right off. It was deceitful and manipulative, and that woman didn’t even have the grace to allow her biological daughter the right to be upset. It’s just selfish.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this woman. She is incredibly calm, sweet and compassionate. I think this happens more than we realize.

I was married for 23 years to a man who had been adopted. Before he died (a robbery victim) he was lucky enough to be found by his biological half sister. They had 5 years together before his sudden death and she and I continued to be best friends until her death from cancer 9 years later. None of us were ever able to piece together the whole story and because of family secrets are left with nothing but half truths. Only a month ago I was contacted by a family member who was making the family tree and even more bits and pieces turned up. It is all a confusing mess. I wish my husband had gotten his answers before his death though. Family secrets are so damaging.

I hope this beautiful woman continues to feel the love of her family and nieces and nephews! She is so very brave!

She's a brave woman and I feel nothing but compassion for her.

"I was revolted at me so what would other people think? If I thought that of myself I couldn't take the risk, and I thought that people would turn their backs on me." I can relate to this 100%. I am, just as this woman is, a victim of someone else's actions. Neither one of us should have ever had to carry all that shame.

Theresa: you are incredibly brave. You may not have had your own biological children, but your goodness and generosity have impacted 2,000,000 people around the world, who have heard your brave testimony. Blessings on you! and thank you!

What a lovely lady. I'm so sorry she went through this.

She’s clearly a very good woman. The choices of her parents have nothing to do with her value. I’ve got similar events in my family & have also actively chosen to not have bio kids. I’m so very glad she had such a wonderful adoptive family. I hope she’s happy in her life - because she absolutely deserves it. ❤❤❤

What a lovely woman. You were never illegitimate, the parents bear that label. I am Catholic too, so I understand your reaction. I am happy you were adopted and had a caring family. You evolved into a woman to be admired and respected. You are doing something so unselfish for so many children experiencing your situation. God bless you.

As a 25 year career RN working in mental health thank you for telling your story...You are an inspiration and incredibly brave...

I am in awe of Theresa's bravery in sharing her story. It is unfortunate and sad that she carried this secret for 20 years, afraid of how society would treat her if she revealed her story.. I am glad that we now live in a world that makes it easier to share these stories, so that people like Theresa don't feel they have to carry such a heavy burden alone. I hope she has gone on to be blessed with a family of her own and is happy. She deserves to be.. What a lovely woman.

When your birth mother agreed to meet you, she should've done it on her own and no bombarded you with her family members. That was so wrong and that's what I'm sure made the situation worse. If you'd have met on your own in a mutual place things may have been different. I'm so sorry you've lived your life based off your story. You are a beautiful lady, I wish you had someone sooner that could've been there for you x

Poor woman. What a burden she had. Peace and Happiness to her

This lady is a credit to herself, to her family, and to all of us. She generates huge, immense respect!

What a well spoken and inspirational woman. She is a perfect advocate.

What a brave woman. I’m so sorry she lived in fear and shame for something over which she had no control. I’d like to tell her that Aunties are far more important than most people think. My mum’s sister was my second mum. I called her mummy ***. I’m certain her nieces and nephews feel the same way about her. ❤😊

My heart goes out to this lady. All the years she carried this burden alone. I wish her biological family had not abandoned her for the second time and that she would have been able to get some answers in a civil and dignified manner. God bless you.

I am profoundly touched by this woman’s story, and I wish her all the love and happiness the world can offer her. She is a precious soul.

I was sorry to hear her biological parents chose to ghost her after their meeting, but I was sure that reaction was rough on them as well. They probably changed their minds thinking she was better off not knowing them, or that she would only reject them again. I'm glad at least they could be in the room together after what happened, they probably grew up in a bad situation. I'm glad she was able to tell her family, and sorry the stigma prevented her from pursuing her dreams of becoming a mother.

I'd love to know her natural parents' story. How on Earth did they survive and continue a relationship for all those decades? Imagine the shame and lies in the family when they conceived as adolescent siblings in the 60s!

She's an inspiration, for mental health in general. Marvelous interview.

I have a similar situation. I grew up not knowing who my biological parents were. Apparently I was raised knowing my biological mother as friend of the family . Everyone knew that secret. I felt deceived

Powerful lady, I respect her deeply for her willingness to speak up and share her story.

I am PROUD of you for having this courage to unburden yourself of the shame you understandably held on yourself. It wasn't your fault in any way. I was sexually abused by a Catholic priest in my young teens and held onto this horror for over 30 years before I unburdened on a friend at a director's retreat. Through my own shame all those years made me physically sick into my 60's with high anxiety. We are kindred spirits in this understand of one another with our stories. I found through my own story, like you, in sharing with others, to come forward to the table and lay the terrors down and learn peace. I wish for you to find the happiness in what pleases you most and know how very many you are helping. Thank you!

Such eloquence despite years of shame. What a caring woman raised in an accepting family

I was taken from my biological father due to sexual abuse when I was 13. Back then, 54 years ago, no one knew enough to share this information with my foster family or to provide counseling for me. If that had happened I would not have had 2 bad marriages due to choices I made as a result of the abuse. I am glad that I was able to have complete healing and recovery of the effects it had on me. I am glad that there is so much help for people who have had a less than perfect past and who are able to reach out for it.

How amazingly strong this woman is! What a story to carry around for so long and it seems that the telling of it to her family and to those who will listen, has given her a deep peace. Lovely woman.

What a wonderful woman! I’m so so glad she was adopted into a loving family. It’s very brave of her to speak out and I’m so glad she told her parents while they were still here… so that they could pour their love onto her and tell her that they think no less of her, in any way.

What an amazing woman! I honestly don’t think she realizes how much she may have helped someone just by sharing her story! I wish her all the best.

Sad. Brave lady for sharing her story. I’m now 86yrs. Two yrs ago I learnt, my cousin was my brother. He died shortly after I was told. No contact as adults. I always thought I was an only child. Secrets in families can scar one’s lives!

It must have been a shock, but she has no fault of what happened and she shouldn't be judged badly about it. She deserves to live her life just the same with all respect and honor.

Incredibly strong woman. Cheers to you.

What a lovely lady she seems, I'm heartbroken that she gave up her dream to be in a relationship and become a mother. I can't imagine the sadness she carried alone.

My partner was born under similar circumstances. He had a very difficult early life with eye sight issues and hearing issues as well as a learning disability. I am not sure whether his bio sibs have any of these problems. He is a fine human being, very intelligent and compassionate. I am very lucky to have him as my partner and admire him more for all the character strength he has. Like you he was graced with really good adoptive parents. I honor you for your strength and mission. My partner found out in the last few years and it was traumatizing for him. Many blessings to you.

This sweet lady is extraordinarily fortunate and blessed she is healthy. Thank God. ❤️

Beautiful story of love and acceptance from one's real family. How many things do we carry that aren't our fault and yet we are ashamed of showing them to others? I lived more than 30 years of my life not discussing anxiety issues only to realize after opening up that the truth was so much better than all my fears. We all need each other.

What a lovely lady. She is a credit to her adoptive parents.

That awfully difficult meeting with her biological parents ... she is so brave ! So sweet and intelligent. I am so sorry that she was afraid of having her own family.

Theresa, you are so accepting and gracious and understanding.

My daughter was adopted because I couldn't look after her, we did meet, and are now fairly close, but I made it very clear to her when we met, that it was totally acceptable if she was angry with me - and my circumstances were far less weird than that.

I’m so very proud of her. She must have left a lasting impression as an aunt.

Adoption is a strange path to walk without the secrets this woman carried. She's incredibly brave!

What a brave woman to share her story. I hope she is doing well.

What an amazing woman to open up. I feel for her having gone through so much trauma. Thank you for sharing.🐨

Her parents were little more than children themselves. It's sad she never got the answers to her beginnings

As an adoptive Mommy I just want to hug this beautiful woman. I would have loved to have her as my Auntie. I hope she knows what a GIFT she is on SO many levels to so many people. Her story matters, her life matters. She was put on this earth for a reason. She has a purpose and God has a plan. It is my prayer that telling her story, gives her a freedom and a peace that passes all understanding. What a beautiful soul. If you know her, please, give her a hug for me and tell her she is BEAUTIFUL. She is PRECIOUS and she is a GIFT to the world.

Bless her! She’s very brave and I hurt for her pain but am so grateful she shared her story. I think she will be a great inspiration to others.

My heart goes to out to this lady. To want children and have that taken away by the actions of the two people who made her is so cruel and heartbreaking. We never know what may come in life and her finding out about her parentage was one almighty shock to her system, so so sad 😢

I think I understand why she first told someone while traveling by car; it’s easier to talk about sensitive subjects when you don’t have to face the other person. You can’t see their expressions and there’s no danger of you reading them wrong.

I am so sorry this woman went through this experience alone. She is so brave for sharing and I’m sure she’s helping so many people.

Such an incredible amount of pressure on this lady. Her biological mom and dad chickening out of further discussion. The shame and anger visited upon herself. So very sad and infuriating 😢

My heart goes out to this sweet woman. As if growing up with the shame of being adopted wasn't already difficult enough. I wasn't allowed to even say the word "adoption" in my parents' presence. I grew up with that ever present invisible elephant in the room, knowing what everyone else around me knew, but wasn't allowed to mention. I went through life believing something was terribly wrong with me; and developed a strong resentment towards my adoptive mother for refusing to allow me to learn of my past. If I hadn't gone through 23 and me, I never would have found my siblings. It's not an easy thing to come to terms with. Now that I'm older, I realize that my parents did the best they could, with what they knew. There was no support system available for us adoptees back in those days. We all have our crosses to bear. I think that in the long run, we grow in strength and resilience. We also learn to forgive our families and to look upon our roots through a brighter and clearer lens. All the fog and scratches are still there, but with time, this lens becomes easier to see through allowing us to navigate through life without falling as much.

What a brave, articulate, kind woman. I am so glad your adoptive parents loved you and gave you a happy childhood.

Having dealt with social services myself I can tell you any child at 14/16 of age sexually active with siblings is a tale tale sign of sexual abuse from a peer or parent. Even back then of course there was sexual abuse and molestations. So I would like to think in her situation she should be angry more so at whoever abused her mother and exposed them to sex at that age. It didn’t start with her mother and you have to pity young kids in that state of mind that only adults should be active in.

Poor woman. I hope she has been able to find self-acceptance, love and happiness now.

What a good mama teaching her to share. How sweet the way she hugs and patty pats! Love it. So happy you are feeling better. Stay well.

Found my biological father after 50 years, after my mum told me he died before I was born. I had him for 18 months before he died. It’s definitely nature not nurture. We were so alike not just in looks, but also personality. Am close to his wife, my step mum, and she wanted me to know that they never stopped looking for me, and it broke his heart when my mum left him when I was 6 months old. It’s changed me forever, and I no longer trust anyone, only my husband, and my 2 grown up sons. If your own mother can lie to you for 50 years, then it’s hard to trust anyone. Thankyou so much to this lady for telling her story, it was very brave.

This reminds me that it is never too late to heal and process trauma. Imagine how many older folks, her generation and older, who are holding onto stories like this, who did not grow up with access to mental health services, who could benefit from having a counselor available in their retirement community or nursing home, or senior center etc. I used to work in a nursing home and it was shocking to eventually hear about the sexual trauma many residents experienced. One woman was so crass and rude, viewed as difficult to work with, but revealed an extensive trauma history to me casually over a game of uno. The two other ladies at the table chimed in, "me too." We owe it to our elders to offer them opportunities to heal and live out their last few decades with happiness and peace, rather than hold onto trauma in shame and secrecy.

I’m so sorry you carried the burden of that secret for so long. I can’t imagine the suffering you felt. You’re very brave and very strong for coming forward and sharing your story. I hope the rest of your life is lighter and that your heart is at peace. Blessed be.