In January of 2001,I discovered I was adopted. I had been raised as an only child in Brooklyn, New York ,by 2 loving parents, never felt any different from my cousins, was never treated any differently. "This can't be!" I argued. I look just like my mother! I have my mother's nose, hair, eyes! My parents names are on my birth certificate!" My very patient cousin (who did a very brave thing in telling me and I do love her for it) again told me the story she knew. My parents couldn't have children. My birth mother was a young girl. I was born in Florida. Everyone in the family knew but it didn't matter. Everyone was so happy that my parents finally had a child to love and raise as their own. After couple of phone calls to other relatives, the story is confirmed. Yes, I was adopted. What does this mean? Both of my parents are dead. My cousin told me because she thought I might be able to find my birth mother. She was a college student, as was my birth father, in April of 1961. That would make her between 58 and 63 or thereabouts. I could even have siblings.
Once the shock wore off,I got on the internet and started looking mainly at sites for Florida adoptees and learned about Katherine Cole, and black market adoptions. My birth certificate listed her as the delivering doctor and one of her Miami addresses as my place of birth. My adoptive parents had been introduced to Cole through a family friend, an insurance broker named Ben Bonder, who had gotten a son through her. My adoptive mother corresponded with Cole for a period of time. 2 weeks before I was born, Cole called my parents and they flew to Miami. They were very secretive about what they were doing at first and didnt want to tell any family in Brooklyn where they would be. My aunt and uncle insisted knowing specifics in case of any problems. They were taking $10,000 with them...Cole's price for me and the family was afraid my adoptive parents might not return. They stayed in motel waiting for my birth mother to deliver. One relative told me they were in Cole's clinic when I was born but had no contact with my birthmother. My aunt said, "They cut the cord and took you home." I also remember my father always telling me he held me the minute I was born. I came home on an Eastern Airlines flight when I was 3 days old.
Katherine Cole was a naturopathic doctor who practiced in Miami, Florida for many years making her living by housing pregnant girls then delivering and selling their babies to couples desperate for children. Her records have been destroyed so there is no paper trail to trace any birth mothers. My parents had no adoption papers. I sent for my original birth certificate from the Department of Health in Florida and received a copy of the birth certificate I already have. According to many sources, no Cole birth mothers have come forward to search for their children. I am trying to make my story known in hopes that it might be familiar to someone who might be able to help.
I have no bad feelings toward my birth mother. I was raised by 2 wonderful parents and who loved me and gave me everything I needed. As far as everyone in my family is concerned, she did a wonderful thing, giving up a child so my parents could have one. I would like my birth mother to know this. I am very interested in medical information. I would also be willing to have a relationship, if she, or any other birth family is also willing.
Please email me if you have any information.
