How 23 and Me Changed My Entire Life | Dr. Rachel Southard

This is NOT sponsored by 23 and Me. Using their kit brought unexpected changes to my entire identify and story. I'm excited to share my biggest secret with you.

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[RachelSouthard]

Ahh, I'm finally sharing this story. This is an incredibly personal story, but it's a HUGE part of my life and i think it's finally time to talk about it with you all. I don't know why it makes me extremely nervous to hear your reactions, but above all, please be kind! :)

EDIT: Just for the record, my parents didn't lie at the dinner table! They simply didn't register/make the connection between the two primarily because they didn't think it was possible to discover that information. I brushed off the results so quickly that no one thought twice about it. I wouldn't have made that connection either, so i don't blame them. They did nothing wrong. We all handled the situation very well, and I hold no bad feelings about how everything went down, so neither should you.

[pointermom]

I was put up for adoption because my parents were just high school students and could not keep me. Irish Catholics did not keep illegitimate children in 1953. I found them through 23 and me many years later. Turns out, a few years after I was born, they got married. I have six full siblings. They knew nothing about me, and it was a complete surprise. Sadly, my biological mother passed away before we could meet, but I have been welcomed into the rest of my biological family and it’s been wonderful.

[MamaDoctorJones]

Wow! This is so interesting and beautiful in the way you’ve processed it. Thank you for sharing! Welcome to the best job ever, too. ❤

[TheMimiof]

My twin sister and I did 23andme about 7 years ago. We learned that we are 100% DNA identical twins. Two of her children have done it and it links us together and it shows I am 50% their mother. I loved your story and your positive attitude.

[cmsbeth]

Your Dad IS the hero! Many men would not consent to a sperm donor. He accepted fatherhood and unconditional love is such a gift! Thank you for opening your heart to your new identity.

[surgicaltechleader]

How amazing that this was the field of medicine you entered into not knowing your parents journey with infertility. This is truly the definition of a calling over your life. You will help so many families over your career. What a story and testimony

[healtor]

47 year old dad of a sperm donor conceived currently 9 year old child here. This video randomly showed up in my feed and I'm glad it did and I'm glad I clicked on it. Your story is fascinating and touching. When you said your dad is the hero in all of this, 6:05, it brought tears to my eyes. Your words have stayed with me. I can say, personally, that I have loved my child fully and completely from the moment she was born. It never mattered from who's sperm she came from. It makes no difference to how fully I love her. I hope when she's an adult and can understand her story, she'll see me as a hero in a similar way to how you now see your dad as the hero.

[elizabethaguilar]

It's a good thing you found out before you were married because without this info, you could have married one of your half-brothers.

[Alice-szoq]

Racheal: I’m sure you have heard the expression: “ Any one can make a baby however it takes a real man to be a father”. I’m sure this was a major shock to you and very emotional for your parents. You are now blessed to have this beautiful family that you never knew. Please don’t feel judged, you have wonderful insight. We all luv u!

[alexstegman]

I’m a sperm donor baby too. I have 8, if not more, half siblings. I’m so grateful my parents didn’t hide it from me. I was 11 and I feel it was an appropriate time to tell me. I wish more parents were open with their kid(s) about this, as I’ve seen several siblings’ lives change similar to yours. It’s very emotional no matter when and how you discover this information, but you should be so proud for moving forward in this process. I actually am sitting in the airport going home from my annual trip I have with my 2 closest sisters. Also, thank you for being brave enough to make this video❤️

[madaketmom]

I was adopted at four days old, coincidentally my adopted dad was an OB/Gyn. After both my parents died and I was in my 60s I figured if I didn’t test soon no one would be alive who knew I existed. Fast forward, I was a surprise to everyone! Found both my biological families, and have been totally accepted. DNA tests have totally changed my life for the better ❤ wow! I just noticed you are a DO! My bio great great grandfather was Andrew Taylor Still!

[leliawatamaniuk]

OK, 1. Your attitude is amazing. This positive, welcoming, adventureous approach. Lovely, inspiring. 2. Your parents did a great job. ❤

[sandramoore]

That's a beautiful story. Your father is the man who raised you. Your ancestors are the people you knew and the people related through blood. Your father is special and should be in your heart and life forever. The sperm donor is just a footnote.

[leelamazarei]

Do you think you’d be interested in meeting your biological father? Or it’s not something important to you?

Congrats on your expanded family :) what a special story

[zackmorris]

Surprises like this are the exact reason I haven't done the 23 and Me testing. My family is FULL of secrets. Closed adoptions for numerous reason that were never disclosed, illegitimate children from multiple partners while married, unexplainable genetic medical conditions etc. I've figured out a lot of things people never planned to tell me and never wanted me to know. So I'm so so so glad that your experience went the way that it did because I know of plenty of families that are torn up by these things. I'm glad you have the platform to share this and show that there is good in the world and that families can still be happy, because it doesn't feel like there is a lot of that going around anymore. Thank you for sharing your story Rachel, family is so important and I'm happy you got to add so many new members to yours

[SLPtoMD]

My mind is absolutely blown!!! That is amazing, Rachel!! I'm so happy for you that your life has been enhanced by finding this out about yourself, and meeting your siblings!!! What an incredible story 💞 Definitely makes sense in the context of your interest in OBGYN too!!!

[haleypaolini]

My mom used a sperm donor as a single mother after her divorce to have another child (me) so I always knew. My half sister on my moms side and I have a 7 year age gap so we were never close at all, it felt like I was an only child. Meeting my half siblings that were close in age to me, very similar to me, looked like me etc... was the best thing to ever happen to me. <3 Our sperm donor is a wonderful guy as well, we found him on linked-in; its a crazy story.

[Therealtruthsocial]

So... let me ask the million-dollar question. Do you and your siblings know who your father is?

[alana]

This's such a pretty story. Plus a story like this can never change how we view you. You're amazing and your reason to go to OB/GYN is understood now cause I never knew why you wanted it so bad. Best of luck on your intern journey ❤️

[madreep]

I found out that my dad wasn't my biological father when I took the test as well. I haven't found any siblings though. It doesn't change much in my world, my mom died when I was 10 and my dad was my only parent. I don't think he knew, and he died a few years before I took the test. I did have another surprise though. I fell in love with all things French when I was in the 6th grade. No reason why, I always attributed it to the fact that I adored my school's librarian and she was French. We talked about France alot. She taught me some of the language and customs. And according to my DNA I'm French. Partly. So I guess it must have been in me already.