Shannon Robey

Listening to this podcast, I found it amazing how many people were actually emotionally hurt by such news. It is definitely very life altering, but this information brought out old and new insecurities for everyone. I believe the different interviews showed very nicely the underground of the story, things not noticed right away. If they didn't interview the son of the McDonald's, we wouldn't have completely grasped how close him and Marty, his biological sister, had actually become. We heard from Sue, Marty, Mrs McDonald, Mrs Miller, a son, a few sisters, a sister- in- law; I believe they caught every aspect and point of view possible to make this a great story and to find what isn't noticeable right away. I also think they balanced the interviewer and interviewee time very well. Whenever the interviewer was talking, it was necessary information; they were digging us deeper into the story and helping us understand it more. And the interviewee helped us see things through their eyes, all of the good things and the bad things.

It's a lot of work to be a part of one family, never mind being thrown into a whole new one at the age of over 40. Personally, I come from one of the smallest families I know. It's just me, my dad, and my grandpa because we are all only children. I'd love to find new people to call family, but I wouldn't particularly like feeling like I need to prove myself and earn their love. I think the hardest part about this whole situation was feel accepted by your blood family. We heard how stand-offish Mrs. McDonald appeared to be to Marty. Mrs. McDonald didn't want to make the girl she raised to feel like she wasn't truly her daughter. She wanted Sue to always feel loved by her, and she went about that by pushing Marty away a little bit at first. And then we have Mrs. Miller who made Marty almost feel excluded from the family that she grew up with, trying to bring Sue into circle.

I couldn't help but think while listening "what if this was me?" What would I do if I was switched at birth, my mom knew the whole time, and didn't do anything until I was in my mid 40's? I think I'd be angry, very angry. It's a shame to lose people in your life. This is preventing your child from knowing their biological family. Overall, I think Mrs. Miller was incredibly wrong with going about things the way she did. I know she didn't have bad intentions, but she hurt a lot of people involved.