The next in the series of adoption stories shared by Coram is Anthony. He is a 21-year-old university student, who grew up in London with his adoptive family. Anthony’s parents had two birth daughters aged 6 and 9 when they adopted him at 20 months, and five years later went on to adopt another son.
Anthony thrived in his family and enjoys close relationships with his parents and siblings: “In our family, there is no hierarchy between the birth kids and the adopted kids, we’re all one massive family. I remember feeling really loved and appreciated. I’m quite close to my brother, he still lives with my parents. I chat to both of my sisters quite a lot and I try to see them every time I get back from university.”
There was never a time when Anthony didn’t know about his adoption: “My parents collated a Life Story Book with the help of Coram which has some letters from my birth mum and birth gran and pictures, explaining the adoption process and my foster mum.” Anthony credits this with helping him to gain a strong sense of identity and understanding of his past: “I just remember my earliest conversations with my parents about adoption always centred around that book. I never really had an issue around adoption. I think I had a really easy adoption process; my narrative has been so fixed and clear. It’s really important to make sure that adopted children are not ashamed because there is nothing to be ashamed of, it’s a really beautiful thing that my parents chose me.”
Foster family
Anthony has also kept in contact with his foster mum who took care of him from when he was eight days old up to when he was adopted: “She’s such an unsung hero, she’s been fostering for 35 years and she’s so quiet about it, she’s an absolute queen. I consider her my mum as well. It’s like I have three mums: birth, foster and adoptive.”
With the love and support of his family, Anthony has had the opportunity to excel not only academically, but also in music and says: “Since being adopted, I’ve been so lucky to develop my music skills. My parents really supported me, taking me to concerts and practice sessions.” Anthony learned to play the trombone, clarinet and piano, as well as studying music theory up to grade eight. He also received singing training and has performed in some of the country’s most prestigious concert halls including the Barbican, Glyndebourne, and the Royal Albert Hall.
Meeting his birth family
At aged 11, Anthony sang a solo of Amazing Grace at the Royal Albert Hall and met his birth grandmother for the first time: “It was such a weird feeling going out to perform in front of that many people, especially on my own, but it was really special. It was also the first time I met my birth grandmother, and she was so proud of me. My adoptive grandmother came down from Scotland to watch it so there was a whole contingent supporting me.”
Anthony is full of admiration for his parents who are very active in their community and have launched outreach projects: “My parents are amazing. They are just so selfless. Their goals are realised through helping other people, and I find that really inspiring. Their focus on charity and helping other people is something that I have very much internalised”.
Fundraising to support Coram
As a seasoned cross-country runner, Anthony recently took part in the David Groggins Challenge to raise money for Coram: “I fundraised for Coram by running four miles, every four hours, for 48 hours. I wanted to give back to an organisation that gave me the life I—and all other children in care—should’ve had: a life with a loving family that enabled me to fulfil my potential. Fundraising for Coram will help them match more children to their forever family, giving them a foundation for them to thrive.”
Anthony recently graduated from Exeter University and has started an MA in Philosophy of Psychiatry and Medicine at King’s College London.
Click here to read about Coram’s 50 years of supporting adopted children.
