Michelle "Mihaela" McManus,
Founder of Baby Be Brave, LLC
Welcome!
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I am an International adoptee born in Romania. I lived in an orphanage for the first two years of my life until I was adopted into America. At the age of eight, I found out I was adopted which changed my life forever. From that moment, I had so many unanswered questions, however I was determined to get those answers. When I was in high school, I began the search for my biological mother. Five years later, with the help of a Private Investigator in Romania, I finally found her. What I thought was going to be a happy reunion of her welcoming me with open arms turned out to be a complete dismissal of her not wanting to be a part of my life. If that wasn't already painful, I also discovered I am the product of rape. I live with that sad truth every day. Being a survivor of sexual assault, I am able to show my biological mother empathy. Since Autumn of 2021, I have been in reunion with my biological mother and family, as well as reconnecting to my culture. It's been a beautiful mess of a road. But I wouldn't be who I am without my adoption.
Through my healing journey, I am learning to accept what I can’t control and appreciate what my adoption has given me. As my story continuously unfolds, I am also discovering that most of what I was told was not the whole truth. While navigating through all the emotional waves, the one thing I look for most is peace. Peace within my adoption journey and peace within myself. My personal journey sparked a passion to create a mission bringing a team of adoptees together to support and advocate for other adoptees. My trauma does not define me. I choose to use my adoption as my strength rather than my weakness. I want to help other adoptees do the same and to know we are more than our adoption.
I host an IGTV live series, Brave Souls, to bring awareness to adoption by sharing stories from the perspective of adoptees, adoptive parents, and biological parents. In addition, I host an adoptee support group providing a safe and loving space for all adoptees. Please email me for the zoom link!
Follow @babybebravellc on Instagram so you don't miss out on all the amazing stories! Also, please subscribe to my YouTube channel, babybebravellc (no spaces), to view all the episodes from season one and two. Other seasons will be added shortly!
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Remember, be brave!
Upcoming Events
*Baby Be Brave, LLC*
~Creating an organization providing emotional support services for adoptees, adoptive parents, and biological parents.
~Organize meet-up events and social entertainment.
~Host "Overcomers" adoptee support group - Bi-Weekly - Wednesday nights at 8pm EST.
**Brave Souls (IGTV live series) ~ Tuesdays at 7:00pm EST**