Nobody's Child, Everybody's Children:

Meredith Wexler

Family systems are formed in many different ways.  My family was formed through the use of donor insemination and adoption.

 

I, Meredith Wexler, am a 40 year old woman with a very unique history.  I am a conglomeration of many histories, many cultures, many truths and some secrets.  I am an adult adoptee that was adopted through a very traditional, closed adoption.  My grandfather was a very controversial donor for many women who sought donor insemination.  I am a mother to two special needs children who are trying to figure out their place in the world.  My family system, biological family and adopted family, are forever affected by the decision to use donor insemination and adoption.  I believe, when you toy with the basic biology of a biological parent and child, whether it be through donor insemination, adoption, surrogacy, or some other method of separating a child from its family of birth, you are left with life long intergenerational residue for children and grandchildren to wrestle with for years to come.   My family is three generations strong, yet still wrestling.

 

I grew up in Los Angeles, California in my adoptive home. I have a degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Tulane University and completed coursework in Counselling Psychology from Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles.  After I married in 1991, my husband and I moved to Portland, Oregon to start our lives together.  I have worked in the social services field since I graduated, working as a social worker recruiting, certifying and case managing foster care homes in the Los Angles area and the Portland area.  I am currently the Home Certifier for Boys & Girls Aid Society in Portland.  My biggest achievement is having my two beautiful children.  My son, Morgan, is 13 and my daughter is 9.  

 

Suzanne Ariel is my mother – I am the daughter that she searched for and found.