Ep.46:Monica Schuss and John Tomanelli
Episode description
Monica and John were separately adopted, and never knew their sibling existed for decades. When they finally met, both said it was like they already knew each other. Monica was adopted as a little girl in NYC she had no idea that John was born to the same mother seven years later and adopted by a different family. After 27 years both received letters that said they had a sibling. The long-lost siblings’ biological mother chose not to have contact with them, but her children couldn’t stay apart. They spent every holiday together and when COVID struck there was no debate; the two were sticking together, staying as Schuss’ house.
One of their first joint efforts after finding each other was to advocate in Albany for an adoptee bill of rights that became law in 2020, allowing access to pre-adoption birth certificates. This episode speaks to the power of belonging, sibling bonds and the tremendous hope that Monica and John have for adopted people.