Birth

I was born on January 19th 1967 at Providence Hospital in Holyoke, MA. I was 8 pounds and 9 ounces and 21 inches long. I was named Karen Michelle by my 17 year old birth mother on January 25th. I had no last name. I was admitted to the Our Lady of Providence Childrens' Center on that date and known as Karen. Birth Mom wanted me baptised and I was on February 7, 1967 at Holy Family in Holyoke. I have no idea who did it. Most likely it was the nuns from the Children's Center. On was surrendered on February 9, 1967 and placed in the home of Mr. And Mrs. George Menard on March 18, 1976.

When she became pregnant with me, my birth mother was sent off to live with her "far-away" aunt in Michigan and then brought back to the area about two months prior to the birth. At that point she stayed at the Guild of the Holy Child in Westfield, MA. She was unable to use her real name and so had to be called her alias through-out this time. Luckily, she was very talkative with her counselors and made friends quickly. Those counselors kept files on everything and I was able to get non-identifying information when I was ready - June 1989.