History of Saving Our Sisters
The concept for this organization began in 2011 when Renee Gelin and Lisa Woolsey connected in blogland over their mutual loss of their son and daughter via unnecessary infant adoptions. As they grew their relationship, they realized that they were misinformed and misled about adoption from the natural/first family perspective. They knew they had to do something so that others would not learn the consequences too late, like they did.
They assisted a mother who reached out to them who felt she did not have the support she needed to keep her baby. They were able to educate the mother on the realities of adoption loss, and provide the support she needed to empower her and help her believe in herself that she was best for her baby and she was enough. Renee and Lisa continued connecting with and working with expectant mothers who were experiencing a crisis pregnancy to help them ensure they were fully informed and not applying a permanent solution to their temporary crisis.
As they connected, listened to and worked with more mothers they learned:
- Many expectant mothers face circumstances that arise during their pregnancy that often leave them unsure of where to turn which creates fear and uncertainty, which is never a good time to make any life-altering decision
- When an expectant mother turns to an adoption agency and she is told that she will have support regardless of whether or not she relinquishes her infant. In actuality, almost all adoption agencies drop the pregnant/new mother as soon as she decides to parent
- New mothers still in their hospital beds are given the impression that they need to sign an adoption consent as soon as the law in their state will allow and many times the mother is still under the influence of medications administered during childbirth
- Mothers are rarely informed of the trauma that both they and their infant will suffer by separating so soon after childbirth, and that the trauma will affect their infant’s brain development
- That by educating and empowering mothers with knowledge of their rights, adoption facts regarding trauma, pre-birth services, open adoption realities and connecting them with local support and resources it gives them the confidence and positive outlook that they are enough for their baby
Through advocacy and outreach SOS became aware of the desire of concerned citizens with life experiences and the education to help these mothers. The mission to help every mother make an informed decision providing a positive, supportive and strong beginning became a reality.