Maine State Senator Paula Benoit was adopted as an infant but obtained her birth records last year. (AP)
By GIGI STONE
Feb. 29, 2008
Feb. 29, 2008
Paula Benoit lives a full life, balancing motherhood with a career as a state senator in Maine. Yet ever since she can remember, there was something gnawing inside her, something she wanted to know.
"I really had always wondered about my identity, who I looked like, my medical history," Benoit said.
Benoit was adopted as an infant. At age 52, she decided it was finally time to find out the identity of her natural parents. She went to court to obtain her birth certificate.
Her request was denied. In Maine, as in most states, adoption records are sealed.
Harlow's Monkey 
Amazing genetics that all are in politics/public service.
Hi, Jae Ran, hope you’re doing well and surviving winter!
I sincerely hope that Paula Benoit is able to get some dialog going on this issue in political circles. I get really frustrated when the first comments that are made when a story like hers is shared are a) opening records will lead to more abortions and b) opening records will lead to disrupted lives. These are disconnected from an adoptee’s right to their identity, a point I think needs to be made loudly and often.
How do you deal with negative comments from APs? I just recently started attracting some attention from a-parents and haven’t really learned how to deal with it.