Rediscovering Family

Like a puzzle missing several pieces, Jeannie Barber, 64, always knew her family was incomplete. Last month she discovered many of those missing pieces right here in the Inland Northwest. In 1950, Barber was given up for adoption in Spokane by her 18-year-old unwed mother. She and her older brother, John Gilbert, knew they had been adopted. “My parents were very upfront about it,” she said. All she knew of her history came from a quick glance her mother stole at her file – her birth name was Linda Ruth. Ten years ago Barber was diagnosed with breast cancer. “My surgeon felt like because I didn’t know anything about my health history it was a health risk.” But at the time Washington adoption records were sealed. Still she wondered, “Is my biological mother alive? Do I have any siblings?”/Cindy Hval, SR. More here. (SR photo: Jeannie Barber, 64, spends a few moments with her brother, Larry Barringer, recently at her north Spokane home)

Question: Do you know an adopted person who is searchng for his/her family?