Adoption's Dual Journey: Karen Peck and Geno Ray Share Their Story
I just moved up there and was staying with Dixie, my older sister, and working up there found out I was pregnant then. I think my girlfriend and I went and stuck our thumbs out. She tagged up there and called her when we got to Portland and said: we're here.
Geno Ray, the voice behind 'Native As I Can Be', invites his mother, Karen Peck, to share an intimate conversation about adoption. This episode honors Adoption Awareness Month by delving into Karen's unique experiences of both entrusting a child for adoption and later adopting one herself. What makes this episode truly special is that much of Karen's story is new even to Geno, making the conversation raw and genuine.
Together, they explore the emotional rollercoaster of adoption, from the initial decision to the long-term impact on their lives. Karen opens up about her mixed emotions during pregnancy and post-adoption, shedding light on the often-untold side of the adoption process. The episode also touches on broader Native issues like tribal gaming, mascots, alcoholism, and the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
Geno and Karen's heartfelt dialogue offers a rare glimpse into the complexities of living between cultures and the unique challenges faced by Native American families. Tune in for an episode that's both eye-opening and deeply personal.