Today’s Guest Speaker: Sheridan Anderson
Sheridan is a psychotherapist and licensed professional clinical counselor.
She specializes in counseling for unexpected DNA discoveries, shifting family stories, and redefining who you are outside of others’ expectations. She is Rotarian Kymn Anderson’s daughter in law. She asked Rotarians if they have seen movies like Star Wars, Elf, and Mamma Mia which provided segue into her presentation on DNA discovery. She grew up in Faribault and graduated in 1996.
1 in 20 have had a DNA discovery, 1 in 40 will experience a major DNA surprise. Mis-attributed parentage was described and involves later in life discoveries by persons learning of being an adoptee, donor conceived, or not parent expected (NPE).
She shared her own experience of DNA discovery. When she turned 40, she took a DNA test and found things were not what she thought they were. During that time, there was not a lot of resources available for persons going through DNA discovery.
For some people, DNA discovery changes everything. It can cause identity disruption, family fracture, loss of trust, disruptive family narrative, feelings of isolation, medical history questions, and feelings of betrayal for many.
She talked about common reactions people have during those times. She emphasized being supportive to anyone you know going through or have gone through this and to be there for them. Some suggestions were to pause, let the person lead, listen more than you talk, keep your responses meaningful, and don’t feel like you have to fix it. She believes the virtue resilience is very important in this type of situation and urges others to keep that in mind. DNA discoveries could affect your family and you might not know it. She helps others walk through the process. She uses her experiences to raise awareness and to help and support others.
She thanked Rotary for having her today and answered several questions that Rotarians had.
Thank you, Sheridan, for presenting today and sharing with our club!
