Here's a bit about Sydney from her website:
At the beginning of the pandemic in April 2020, I received a Instagram DM from a girl claiming to be my half sister. As a transracial adoptee (biracial/half black, adopted by a white family) who has always been curious about her birth family, I knew that this text would change my life. And it did.
I was raised in a predominately – white community and experienced things such as separation anxiety, microagressions and identity crises for the majority of my life. Taking a DNA test and finding my half sister was just the beginning of my journey to finding my identity.
At the University of Tampa, I took a writing class and chose adoption as my subject for a research paper. I assumed all I would have to do is tell my story, do a little research and I’d get an automatic A right? Well, that’s not exactly what happened. As I was researching, I came across the words “transracial adoption”. Ironically, I had absolutely no idea what that meant, but when I found out, my whole world was flipped upside down.
Suddenly, all of my anxiety, confusion, and feelings about being out of place were justified. I wasn’t alone.
For me, it has been a journey of realization and self-love that got me to where I am now. My goal is to educate parents who plan to or have already transracially adopted about what it takes to raise a child of a different race. I also am very passionate about speaking to other adoptees, hearing/sharing their stories and showing them that they are not alone.
Transracial adoption is not a topic that is talked about very often and not many people even know what it is. I plan to spread awareness to the subject through social media platforms.
My life as an adoptee has not been easy, but I have also been blessed with opportunities that may have not happened if I wasn’t adopted. I hope that I can inspire others with the knowledge of transracial adoption and my passion for change.
https://sydneyparkhurst.com/
https://www.facebook.com/sydneyparkhurst6/
https://www.instagram.com/adopteesydney/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtgR6jSgFOGWSxWQAjgTZXA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sydney-parkhurst-243783184/
Guests and the host are not (unless mentioned) licensed pscyho-therapists and speak from their own opinion only. Seek qualified advice if you need help.
Related Videos
Emotional Freedom With Danielle Gaudette
What we resist persists. How about more freedom instead? Listen in as Danielle dives into emotional freedom, what it means and how we enjoy it. Profound and practical. Here are two of Danielle's previous interviews on Thriving Adoptees: https://thriving-adoptees.simplecast.com/episodes/upping-our-em...
Authentic & Accepted With Ligia Cushman
Feeling free to be our authentic selves. Being accepted as we are. What does that mean for you? How can you help the people you love feel that? Listen is as adoptive mom and adoption professional Ligia shares what she's learned - and continues to learn - on two big topics. Especially as they relate ...
Emotional Self Suffciency Amanda Timoteo
What if we were to stop searching for happiness outside us? How would that be? How would that feel? Listen in as Amanda and I dive into what she calls emotional self sufficiency. Have you heard of that? I certainly hadn't. And it lead to a profoundly empowering conversation. We both loved it and hop...