'The Mirror Reflected' © Acoustic Studio Version - Sophia Fletcher Music

This original song is a journey through the plethora of being adopted, & how after decades of searching for biological/birth family; it can become a life long experience of heightened awareness; towards a sense of belonging.
I was honoured to have sung this song at the March 21st 2023, 10th Year Anniversary of Forced Adoption, in Brisbane with Jigsaw Queensland.
I find it helpful to read about other adoptee's experiences, talking to a ‘trauma-informed approach’ counsellor & beyond the therapy chair, connecting with trusted family and friends, and/ or joining a local adoption support group.
‘The Mirror Reflected’ © is the 8th Single from the 'Steps Leading to You" album available through:
sophiafletcher...
Vocals: Sophia Fletcher
Drums, Bass: Brett Hamlyn
Guitars: Sophia Fletcher & Brett Hamlyn
Piano, Hammond & Synth: Brett Hamlyn
Recorded: Deva Studios, Kyogle, Northern NSW, Australia.
Artistic Direction: Sophia Fletcher & Brett Hamlyn
During the 1940s - 1980s adoptions in Australia were at an all-time high. Nearly 10000 adoptions took place in 1971-72 alone.
Adoption was 'considered' the ideal solution to two prominent social issues: married couples who were unable to conceive their own children, & society’s hostile view of young single women giving birth to illegitimate children. These women were deemed by society as ‘unfit’ to parent their children, and were not provided with any form of alternative option. This was not an informed choice made willingly by the mothers and fathers of these newborn babies as it is today, but a practice that occurred so frequently: became protocol within hospitals and maternity 'homes' across Australia.
The adopted child’s original birth certificate was sealed & an amended birth certificate issued, establishing the child’s new identity.
The experiences of those affected are many and varied, & the ensuing impacts lifelong & often intergenerational. Mothers were bullied, lied to, often psychologically and physically abused within hospitals and maternity homes by medical staff, & forced to work in the laundries.
Mothers have described traumatic labour experiences of being tied down to beds with sheets raised above their faces to shield their view of their baby, being drugged, having their breasts painfully bound to prevent lactation, & often never seeing their newborn or knowing anything about them (e.g., gender, health). Methods to gain consent to adoption were illegally and unethically obtained, laws were unregulated, and mothers were ill-informed about their rights & options.
Fathers were mostly viewed as ‘peripheral figures’ and excluded from all pregnancy & birth-related matters, regardless of whether or not they were in a stable & committed relationship.
Babies were mostly adopted within six weeks of birth, or stayed longer. Others were placed in care at the age of four or older, or were institutionalised and deemed a ward of the State for many years before being placed with an adoptive family. There are varied reported experiences of adopted people from being abused within institutions or within their adoptive families, to having a very loving and positive upbringing. However, many adopted people believe that being separated from their mothers at birth caused a ‘primal wound’ or trauma from which many of their current day psychological difficulties have stemmed.
The only large-scale national research study on the experiences, impacts and service needs of people affected by past forced adoption policies & practices was undertaken by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) published in 2012, highlighting a number of universally reported mental health impacts to all groups affected, including:
Trauma-related symptoms (CPTSD)
Depression
Suicidal ideation & behaviour
Anxiety
Disenfranchised grief & loss
Identity issues & impacts on self-worth
Relationship & parenting issues
Addictions
Physical or medical illnesses
A National Apology was made by the former Prime Minister Julia Gillard on 21 March 2013 in the Great Hall of Parliament House, Canberra, to more than 800 people.
References and more information:
psychology.org...
aifs.gov.au/re...
**For any assistance please contact these wonderful loving people at:
www.jigsawquee...
www.benevolent...
Literature/Books:
Rabekah Scott-Heart :lightonadoptio...
adopteerightsa...
Videos:
The Secret Business of Making Humans
www.sbs.com.au...
• NSW Forced Adoption Ap...
Music: Kerrie Saint: kerrisaint.ban...

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Simply beautiful!!

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[@TheRepressions]

Great live performance! 🤩🤩🤩

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