Out In The Open

After finding her biological family, reality upended this adoptee's expectations of reunion

For many adopted children, reconnecting with biological parents can be a lifelong consideration. When Dianne Mathes decided to do it, she found that trying to build relationships was tougher than she imagined.

Dianne Mathes says she felt like a 'bird perched on two limbs'

Dianne Mathes (Submitted by Dianne Mathes)

This story was originally published on October 18, 2019.

For many adopted children, reconnecting with biological parents can be a lifelong consideration.

When Dianne Mathes decided to do it, she found that trying to build relationships was tougher than she imagined.

She tells Out in the Open host Piya Chattopadhyay how balancing her own expectations with reality – and factoring in the experiences of the other parties involved – disrupted what she thought reunion would be like.


This story appears in the Out in the Open episode "Together Again".