ADOPT Perspective
A podcast for anyone affected by adoption.
Learn ... Grow... Heal
Welcome to Adopt Perspective, a podcast for anyone affected by adoption. We discuss the adoption experience from the perspectives of mothers, fathers, adopted people and their loved ones, so that we may learn and grow from the perspectives of others. We share personal stories and explore adoption topics including adoption loss, the psychological impacts of adoption, forced adoption, inter-country adoption, searching, reunion, healing and many others. We interview adults affected by adoption as well as practitioners, people involved in inquiries, research, legislative change and apologies, artists, film-makers and authors. Adopt Perspective is hosted by Dr Jo-Ann Sparrow and is produced by Jigsaw Queensland. The podcast discusses adult themes and listener discretion is advised.
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If you reside in Queensland you can contact Jigsaw Queensland's Forced Adoption Support Service (FASS) toll free on
1800 21 03 13. If calling from another State of Australia the same number will take you to the FASS team in that state (Relationships Australia provides this service in states other than Queensland). You can also contact Jigsaw Qld on (07) 3358 6666 or email support@jigsawqld.org.au. For any search for identity, it is necessary to contact the State in which the adoption occurred and it is possible to find each state in Australia operating under different guidelines and legislation. For additional Australian contacts, check out the Website Links page of our website.
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Find out more about Forced Adoption on our website pages located here.
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Help us keep Adopt Perspective on air by making a tax deductible donation. Your donation can assist with hosting fees and production costs. Click the button below to go to the donations page and specify "Podcast" in your order notes. Thank you!
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Share your story
Your host
DR JO-ANN SPARROW
Jo Sparrow was born in 1971 at the Royal Brisbane Womens Hospital at the pinnacle of the forced & closed adoption eras, and was adopted at three-weeks old. Her adoptive family lived on the Darling Downs in regional Queensland and her new parents had three existing biological children. Jo was always told she was adopted and felt stymied by the closed adoption system that would stop her from searching for her origins until Queensland legislation changed in 1991, allowing her to contact and meet her mother and brother. Twenty years later she searched for and met her father. She has worked in public relations for more than two decades and has a Bachelor of Journalism, Masters of Public Relations and completed a Doctorate of Creative Arts - exploring the construction of identity after adoption using story. Jo has enjoyed a long association with Jigsaw Qld, beginning as a seeker of information and support in 1991 and in 2020 she took on the role of President of Jigsaw Qld. You can listen to more of Jo's story in these episodes: Jo & Caroline - When the Search Ends 3 Aug 2022 & Lois (Grief & Loss Pt 1) 9 June 2020.
This project has been partially funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.