Thank you for sharing - I am a donor from Sydney Australia and have six offspring: Family 1 - Male (September 2012); Family 2 - Female (August 2012), Male (February 2014); Family 3 - Male (July 2013), Female (June 2014), Female (May 2018). I have given them all a temporary name until I hopefully meet them. I have written a letter to each and enclosed a photo, held on file until they make contact with the IVF clinic. I think of them often. I am mindful that they may have no desire to meet, or if they do it must be primarily on their terms. My hope is that they evolve into kind people, generous of spirit and engaged with the world. My wish is that they know they are loved by me, that they matter to me, and that my decision to be a donor was a very considered one. The message I left them on the donor form: Live Life, Love Life, Give Life.
That’s so good to know that you think about your donor children! FYI “offspring” is kind of a dirty word in the donor conceived community. They’re your donor children, just as you’re their donor father.
Hi Edward, reading this comment brought me to tears. It is incredible to know that there are donors out there who care about their donor children and want to foster those connections, it is so important!
@@ourstoriesbeingdonorconcei4534 Hi Katie Nine years of life for my eldest two, nine years to go until they decide whether they would like to meet. What’s exciting for me is the possibility of siblings meeting, especially the eldest boy who is an only child. I think of my babies often, and I hope they are being kind to their mothers!
Donor conceived people’s stories are out there! You just have to do an advanced search for them because the clinics only push out the “good” stories. If you’re thinking about having a donor conceived child there are plenty of groups for prospective parents with donor conceived adults’ options!
I'm 38 and I found out this morning that I was conceived via a sperm donor. My sister and I both, in fact. My dad is deceased, but was a really good dad, so no regrets. However, all of this did kinda create a missing puzzle piece for me. I have so many questions and hope to meet my donor siblings. I bet they all look like me. LoL
I have a question for you. Hypothetically if you were 8 years old and had to wait until 18 to meet your biological father... how would you feel if your biological father found you, by some strange event? What if he tried to reach out to your biological mother? Would you want to meet him then or would you rather wait until you were 18 years old? What if at the time you were 8 years old your mother met a man whom she decided to start a family with? Just curious, and asking for a friend.
Hi John, seems like your friend may have a lot going on and much to think about. Personally, I was very curious when I was younger. If my donor father had contacted my parents, and I had their consent and supervision I would have loved to meet him them. But that is all up to the individual because everyone processes this experience differently.
@@ourstoriesbeingdonorconcei4534 You're right. I'm just concerned because although I was/ am an open donor, I don't think either myself or her mother can contact one another. Maybe it's against the rules. I don't know. Either way, it feels like a massive dilemma. I am afraid that if she seeks me at age 18 I will have to tell her that I had the opportunity to talk to her mother and possibly contact her and decided against it (to give them their space). I am afraid that she will be devastated by this and I do not want to hurt my her. Its the last thing I want. She has a father figure in her life currently and I don't want to be her dad, but I do wish to one day be a big part of her life. I accept that this may or may not be what she wants, and the uncertainty is eating. uhm well not me but my friend, alive. He just wants what is best for the little girl and what that is is incredibly confusing for him. Thanks for your support and for your own perspective.
Thank you for sharing your story Katie. Just like your parents, I'm in a same sex partnership looking to start a family of my own. I'm trying to educate myself as best I can before choosing a sperm donor, and choose the best route for my future child. Do you have any advice for someone like me who is about to start a family?
Hi Laurie, sorry for the long bit of silence! How exciting for you and your partner, I hope I'm not too late in offering some advice. I would definitely recommend choosing a donor who is open to contact and willing to share their identity. This ensures that in the future your child will have the opportunity to connect with their donor if they choose to. I would also recommend getting an account on the donor sibling registry. This is an amazing resource to help connect your future child with any potential siblings. Stay open and willing to answer questions when your child has them. The best of luck to you and your partner, if you would like to speak more do not hesitate to reach out!
@@ourstoriesbeingdonorconcei4534 Hi again Katie! No problem at all for the delay. This is very slow process for me over here so your advice is not too late :) I am on the same page for looking for a donor who is willing to share their identity and being open from the beginning. I see how important it is for everyone to have a sense of knowing who they are and where they came from. I'm doing my best to explore options I may have with known donors being a friend or someone I know, but its a pretty big ask... and lots to consider. A sperm bank seems 'easier" but honestly, the thought of having multiple siblings like this really make me uneasy. I wish they would limit the amount of families per donor to a smaller amount. There are a lot of donor conceived children finding out they have 50+ half siblings... and that seems like too much for one person to take on. Especially a young adult. I really don't want to put words in your mouth or assume how you may feel, so I apologize if I am saying anything inappropriate, or insensitive. This is a very new topic for me to discover and I'm trying to learn and listen as much as possible. Perhaps you could shed more light on how it feels to discover you have 20+ half donor siblings? Does it feel overwhelming? Or is it exciting? Does it change how you feel about your sense of family? Do you feel like this adds or takes away from your life? Do you have any certain feelings about the siblings you have less contact with? - I realize these are all very personal questions, and you definitely do not owe me the answers if it doesn't feel right for you! I am already very grateful for how much you have already shared and your advice given. Thanks again for sharing your story!
Thank you for telling your story! I agree that we as DCP should be the voices for our community. I’m so glad you got to meet your donor
Thank you for sharing - I am a donor from Sydney Australia and have six offspring: Family 1 - Male (September 2012); Family 2 - Female (August 2012), Male (February 2014); Family 3 - Male (July 2013), Female (June 2014), Female (May 2018). I have given them
all a temporary name until I hopefully meet them. I have written a letter to each and enclosed a photo, held on file until they make contact with the IVF clinic. I think of them often. I am mindful that they may have no desire to meet, or if they do it must be primarily on their terms. My hope is that they evolve into kind people, generous of spirit and engaged with the world. My wish is that they know they are loved by me, that they matter to me, and that my decision to be a donor was a very considered one. The message I left them on the donor form: Live Life, Love Life, Give Life.
That’s so good to know that you think about your donor children! FYI “offspring” is kind of a dirty word in the donor conceived community. They’re your donor children, just as you’re their donor father.
Hi Edward, reading this comment brought me to tears. It is incredible to know that there are donors out there who care about their donor children and want to foster those connections, it is so important!
@@ourstoriesbeingdonorconcei4534 Hi Katie
Nine years of life for my eldest two, nine years to go until they decide whether they would like to meet. What’s exciting for me is the possibility of siblings meeting, especially the eldest boy who is an only child. I think of my babies often, and I hope they are being kind to their mothers!
You are an absent dad and you have 6 abandoned children.
@@weinishyusi
Thank you for your perspective and taking the time to share it
Only the donor children will be able to make that judgement
That's very true. There is a lot about the parents but very little about the children and their experience.
Donor conceived people’s stories are out there! You just have to do an advanced search for them because the clinics only push out the “good” stories. If you’re thinking about having a donor conceived child there are plenty of groups for prospective parents with donor conceived adults’ options!
I do so appreciate this effort.
I'm 38 and I found out this morning that I was conceived via a sperm donor. My sister and I both, in fact. My dad is deceased, but was a really good dad, so no regrets. However, all of this did kinda create a missing puzzle piece for me. I have so many questions and hope to meet my donor siblings. I bet they all look like me. LoL
Although it is a very unexpected journey, I hope you are able to solve your puzzle! If I can do anything to help, feel free to reach out!
Hi Michelle, I found out at the age of 46. What a journey, so many emotions.
I am releasing my donor conception story this father's day. I hope that you'll watch mine next month when it releases!
you so beautiful
I have a question for you. Hypothetically if you were 8 years old and had to wait until 18 to meet your biological father... how would you feel if your biological father found you, by some strange event? What if he tried to reach out to your biological mother? Would you want to meet him then or would you rather wait until you were 18 years old? What if at the time you were 8 years old your mother met a man whom she decided to start a family with?
Just curious, and asking for a friend.
Hi John, seems like your friend may have a lot going on and much to think about. Personally, I was very curious when I was younger. If my donor father had contacted my parents, and I had their consent and supervision I would have loved to meet him them. But that is all up to the individual because everyone processes this experience differently.
@@ourstoriesbeingdonorconcei4534 You're right. I'm just concerned because although I was/ am an open donor, I don't think either myself or her mother can contact one another. Maybe it's against the rules. I don't know. Either way, it feels like a massive dilemma. I am afraid that if she seeks me at age 18 I will have to tell her that I had the opportunity to talk to her mother and possibly contact her and decided against it (to give them their space).
I am afraid that she will be devastated by this and I do not want to hurt my her. Its the last thing I want. She has a father figure in her life currently and I don't want to be her dad, but I do wish to one day be a big part of her life. I accept that this may or may not be what she wants, and the uncertainty is eating. uhm well not me but my friend, alive.
He just wants what is best for the little girl and what that is is incredibly confusing for him. Thanks for your support and for your own perspective.
Thank you for sharing your story Katie. Just like your parents, I'm in a same sex partnership looking to start a family of my own. I'm trying to educate myself as best I can before choosing a sperm donor, and choose the best route for my future child. Do you have any advice for someone like me who is about to start a family?
Hi Laurie, sorry for the long bit of silence! How exciting for you and your partner, I hope I'm not too late in offering some advice. I would definitely recommend choosing a donor who is open to contact and willing to share their identity. This ensures that in the future your child will have the opportunity to connect with their donor if they choose to. I would also recommend getting an account on the donor sibling registry. This is an amazing resource to help connect your future child with any potential siblings. Stay open and willing to answer questions when your child has them. The best of luck to you and your partner, if you would like to speak more do not hesitate to reach out!
@@ourstoriesbeingdonorconcei4534 Hi again Katie! No problem at all for the delay. This is very slow process for me over here so your advice is not too late :)
I am on the same page for looking for a donor who is willing to share their identity and being open from the beginning. I see how important it is for everyone to have a sense of knowing who they are and where they came from. I'm doing my best to explore options I may have with known donors being a friend or someone I know, but its a pretty big ask... and lots to consider. A sperm bank seems 'easier" but honestly, the thought of having multiple siblings like this really make me uneasy. I wish they would limit the amount of families per donor to a smaller amount. There are a lot of donor conceived children finding out they have 50+ half siblings... and that seems like too much for one person to take on. Especially a young adult. I really don't want to put words in your mouth or assume how you may feel, so I apologize if I am saying anything inappropriate, or insensitive. This is a very new topic for me to discover and I'm trying to learn and listen as much as possible.
Perhaps you could shed more light on how it feels to discover you have 20+ half donor siblings? Does it feel overwhelming? Or is it exciting? Does it change how you feel about your sense of family? Do you feel like this adds or takes away from your life? Do you have any certain feelings about the siblings you have less contact with? - I realize these are all very personal questions, and you definitely do not owe me the answers if it doesn't feel right for you!
I am already very grateful for how much you have already shared and your advice given. Thanks again for sharing your story!