DNA Discovery, NPE, Misattributed Parentage, Non-Paternity Brianne K. Williams DNA Discovery, NPE, Misattributed Parentage, Non-Paternity Brianne K. Williams

“All of the locks that guarded her secrets no longer worked” - An interview with author Peter J. Boni

The conversation between host Brianne Kirkpatrick and Boni swings back and forth, exploring the personal impacts of a misattributed parentage discovery on Boni and his awareness of the need for societal change. Boni shares how the new trauma of the NPE ('not parent expected') discovery rekindled some of the old trauma from his past, requiring hard work in the therapist's office to work through.

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DNA Discovery, NPE, Misattributed Parentage, Non-Paternity Brianne K. Williams DNA Discovery, NPE, Misattributed Parentage, Non-Paternity Brianne K. Williams

“I truly believe things happen the way they’re supposed to happen” - An interview with author K.S. Hopkins

K.S. “Katie” Hopkins never guessed that a discovery about her sister's unexpected paternity would be just the start of a number of surprises in the family. What began as crumbs of information left in family documents led to DNA testing which confirmed a hidden family history.

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Misattributed Parentage, DNA Podcast Brianne K. Williams Misattributed Parentage, DNA Podcast Brianne K. Williams

Grounding Meditation for Mindfulness after a DNA discovery - FREE poster

Maggie Chenard is the Mindful NPE on Instagram and Twitter, and she hosts a secret Facebook group of same name. In the very first episode of DNA Clarity and Support was an interview, Maggie shared with host Brianne the journey she has taken after a discovery two years ago that the father she has always known was not her biological father. Hear how grief changes with time, the impact of an "NPE" (not parent expected) discovery on existing relationships, and what it takes to help those around you know how to offer the right kind of support. Download and print the free mindfulness meditation poster.

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Laura Kieger on DNA Clarity and Support: family, heredity, and the advancement of DNA in medical science

In this episode, Laura Kieger talks about her family's experience with the hereditary cancer syndrome, FAP. Kieger relates how in just a few short decades, the progress of medical genetics and cancer diagnosis has had a profound impact on her own life and others in her family. If anyone needs an example to point to as support for the importance of sharing DNA medical surprises with family, this episode of DNA Clarity and Support offers it!

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DNA Discovery, Adoptees, ROH Brianne K. Williams DNA Discovery, Adoptees, ROH Brianne K. Williams

“I have uncovered skeletons in every family tree I have worked on.”

John’s story starts with a personal medical crisis leading to a decision to search for information about his biological parentage. It ends with him embracing the truth of his biological origins, a situation that many others in the same shoes have struggled to accept because of society’s stigma around conceptions between parents who are related to each other.

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Misattributed Parentage, NPE, DNA Discovery Brianne K. Williams Misattributed Parentage, NPE, DNA Discovery Brianne K. Williams

Eight years of life as an NPE

Maggy wrote a reflection for the Watershed DNA blog three years ago. She is back again to share more reflections on her misattributed parentage experience. “Each puzzle piece helps me put myself together a little more firmly. I’m so grateful that I took that DNA test in 2013. It changed me and who I think I am and gave me a stronger sense of self than I think I ever would have had otherwise.”

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NPE, Genetic Testing, Donor Conception, Adoption, Family Secrets Brianne K. Williams NPE, Genetic Testing, Donor Conception, Adoption, Family Secrets Brianne K. Williams

“The Lost Family” Gets to the Core Issues at Hand With DNA Testing and Family Secrets

The first book of its genre to cover the pressing topic of DNA tests and the end of family secrets, Copeland’s The Lost Family provides an overview of the current DNA test landscape and a short history of how it came to be this way.

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DNA Discovery, Biological Father, Family Search Brianne K. Williams DNA Discovery, Biological Father, Family Search Brianne K. Williams

“I considered her to be a blessing to me” - A father shares about the emotional journey with a newfound biological daughter

Today’s guest blogger shares the emotional journey he experienced learning at age 68 that he had a daughter of whom he was previously unaware. He is nearing the first anniversary of getting the DNA confirmation of his paternity and is looking forward to a visit with his daughter and her family over Thanksgiving. It will be the fourth time he and his daughter will have a chance to meet up in person. 

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Adoption, Family Search, DNA Test Brianne K. Williams Adoption, Family Search, DNA Test Brianne K. Williams

Getting Started on a Search for Birth Family if You’re Adopted

Have you heard the “Searching for Relatives with DNA” podcast episode? Catch this interview by Simon Benn, available for listening now. Simon shares the backstory to his decision to search and the moment he knew it was time. Our discussion is geared towards supporting people early in the search process but will help anyone along the way, whether the searching person or the family who has been sought.

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NPE, DNA Discovery Brianne K. Williams NPE, DNA Discovery Brianne K. Williams

NPE Awareness Day

"NPE" is an acronym with a history originating in the term “non-paternity event” — a term used in the medical setting when parent/child mismatches were uncovered as a result of clinical genetic testing. NPE has also become the term for a person who has discovered one or both parents is not genetically related to them.

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