Reader's Comments | Author's Comments

Readers

On this page you will find comments from readers whose lives have been touched by Joe's book.

An adoptive mother from Arizona:

Joe Soll's book, "Adoption Healing...a path to recovery," allowed me for the first time, to realize that as an adoptive parent, I too need healing. My pain, anger and all the myriad emotions that I felt through the years are just as real as those of my adopted daughter. "Adoption Healing" is written with such tenderness, simplicity and positiveness that it makes for easy understanding and gives us the step by step keys to the healing process. Mr. Soll includes exercises to help us through the pain which is another plus. In fact, this book helped me understand my daughter's pain and anger which I never understood before. What a revelation that was and this is part of what the healing process entails. I recommend this book for all those who are adoptive parents or prospective adoptive parents. For me it was an answer to years of prayer and for the first time I see a light at the end of my tunnel. YES THE HEALING HAS BEGUN. A BIG THANK YOU TO JOE SOLL FOR WRITING THIS BOOK.

An adopted woman from New York:

"Adoption Healing... a path to recovery" is a book that deals with truth -- not the way people would prefer to see it, but exactly the way it is. Not only does it validate those feelings of doubt, fear, anxiety, and loss that so many adoptees and birth mothers feel, but it gives you ways and exercises to help you deal with those feelings. I strongly suggest that everyone read it. IT WILL HELP YOU TO UNDERSTAND YOURSELF, YOUR SISTER OR BROTHER, YOUR CHILD, YOUR PARTNER OR SPOUSE.

A birthmother from Pennsylvania:

"Adoption Healing...a path to recovery," more than anything else gives HOPE to those of us who have traveled the adoption path, particularly adoptees and birthparents. Having been told in 1966 that by giving up my infant son to be adopted by people who could give him what I could not...a two parent home, a name, even legitimacy; I tried hard to believe when they told me I was doing the most loving thing a mother could do for her child in my circumstance. I was an 18 year old student with no husband in sight. I don't know if they really believed when they said I would get on with my life and I would forget this whole unfortunate experience and that I would go on to have plenty of other children.

Joe Soll's book speaks to the fact that THEY were really, really WRONG! You never forget and you really can't even totally get on with your life on some levels. Giving a child up for adoption is a very deep trauma and tragedy for a woman, and many can't even survive it. It's a form of soul-rape. While Joe gives exercises, tools and rituals to adoptees to understand their experience and even begin to heal; he also validates and acknowledges the pain and deep sense of grieving and loss the birthmothers live with. And although I have read several women authors who have written very eloquently about birthmother pain; this is the first male author that I've read who has deep understanding, wisdom and empathy for US. My heart was in my throat during much of this book, but I also felt that Adoption Healing should be required reading for Adoptees and Birthmothers, AND those who love us. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT AND VERY WELL WRITTEN BOOK.

An adopted woman from Oregon:

I am thrilled someone has finally written a book that directly deals with self-help treatment for the adopted person. "Adoption Healing" explains the psychological processes an adopted person goes through in their life, and the effect on him or her. It then gives simple exercises to help overcome the trauma of adoption. Even in a loving supportive adoptive family, the adoptee has suffered from the trauma of separation from his or her birthmother and family of origin.

An adoption search and reunion is only part of the process necessary for those who were separated from their birthfamily to heal. This book helps in completing the healing process. Unfortunately, those affected by an adoption need to work on their issues through self-help support groups and books as there are very few mental health professionals who understand the affect of the adoption experience on the adopted person and birthmother. This book helps fill that gap.

"Adoption Healing" is not just for adoptees. Birthparents and adoptive parents can learn a great deal about what their child has endured through adoption, and ways in which they can help their child, whether a youngster or adult. Therapists can develop a treatment protocol for their adopted clients.

I have been waiting for a book like this since I started working with adoptees and birthmothers 14 years ago as a post-adoption emotional support group leader. It will help me help others. Additionally, it will help me deal with my own trauma of being adopted at birth in 1950. Although, my reunion is years past (and a "good" one), I plan to go back through the book chapter by chapter and do the exercises. JUST A QUICK READ HAS ALREADY BEGUN TO EFFECT MY EMOTIONS

An adopted man from New York:

This a a magnificent book that will help everyone effected by adoption. It is particularly valuable for adoptive parents, to give them essential information about the children they love. The book exposes the myths about adoption and reveals the facts that everyone involved needs to know. This book offers the opportunity to help millions of people and I hope it is a great success. BUY TEN COPIES, NOT ONE, AND GIVE THEM TO THOSE WHO THEY WILL HELP.