Michelle

I have been interested in becoming a mother for many years. I was diagnosed with premature ovarian failure (early menopause) at age 22 years, so I always thought adoption might be in my future. After years of self-exploration, becoming an aunt (my nephews are age 7yrs and 4yrs), and supporting several close friends through the transition into motherhood, I made the decision to move forward with adoption. I believe that becoming a parent is one of the most powerful and transformative experiences in life. I see it as an incredible way to contribute to the world and to shape the world.

My family has a beautiful culture of mothering. My mother is the second of seven children, and I grew up very close to my aunts, uncles, and cousins. My mom was a single mom, and she raised my sister and me with love and joy. My sister and I are very close, and I am very close to my brother-in-law and nephews. I am blessed to be a part of an incredible family that is very excited to support me in my journey towards motherhood through adoption. Now is the time because the stars align with my work, personal life, financial status, and my psychological readiness to pursue motherhood.

About Michelle

Job: Acting Health Commissioner and Chief Medical Officer, NYC Health Department

Hobbies: Hobbies include reading, enjoying live music, and bird watching

Fun Fact: When I was 24 years old, I took a year out from medical school to do tuberculosis research in Botswana (in 2006). Living there from 2006 to 2007 opened my eyes to a whole new world of culture, history, revolution, and unfair health outcomes around the world. In 2006, Botswana had the highest rate of TB in the world and the second-highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the world. My research project was about learning new and better ways to diagnose TB. During my year in Botswana, I realized that the legacy of colonialism, racism, and capitalism created a perfect storm that led to the people of Botswana suffering unfairly from infectious diseases. I became a student activist in the global HIV/AIDS treatment access campaign and decided to dedicate my work as a doctor to fighting injustice in health and society.

About Marley

8-year-old Bengal cat

Hobbies: Hobbies include scratching up shoes and couches, and chewing on house plants

Fun Fact: I became a part of the Morse family in 2018 when my first mom (Racquel) gave me to my new mom (Michelle). My brother (Hendrix) was attacking me, and Racquel decided that I needed a new home. Since I found my new mom, I have become very talkative and very friendly. I even know how to open all the doors and drawers in the entire house. Sometimes, I even open the drawers and take the clothes out and throw them on the floor!

My Life

We live in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn, in a two bedroom two bathroom loft apartment on Bedford Ave that has amazing light, high ceilings, lots of plants, and two small patios. Most days start early since I like to work out in the morning with my friend, and I also have a very busy day job as a doctor and public health leader working for the city. Though my job is busy, I have a wonderful team. They make sure that I am supported and that I take regular vacations, stay healthy, have protected time on weekends and evenings, and maintain some work-life balance. I enjoy live music several times a month despite my busy job. I also spend quite a bit of time with family and friends. I took a vacation for the last week of July and spent a few days in the Catskills for a new tradition my friends have started called Black Joy Camp, and then a week at my house by the beach in Cape May, NJ, with my Grandmom, sister, and aunts, so we could celebrate my Grandmom’s 96th birthday. I am grateful I can make time for these things despite having a very high-responsibility job.

My Family

My mother and sister have been very involved and supportive of my decision to adopt. They have supported me through my journey of learning my diagnosis of premature ovarian failure, my very busy career, and the several-year process of deciding to become a mother, and then deciding that adoption was the best fit and approach for me to do that. I could not ask for a more supportive team. My mother has been very involved in supporting my sister through becoming a mother, and is very involved in raising my nephews (her grandchildren). My mother and sister have both already stated in multiple ways that they are ready to come and support me when my baby arrives and afterwards. I hope that my nephews can be like brothers to my future child. I also have three aunts and three uncles who are very supportive and excited about my decision. Finally, in Brooklyn, I have four very close friends within a 20 min walk of my place, all of whom are very excited to support me and my new child, and two of the four are new parents themselves.

Final Thoughts

For me, becoming a mother is about commitment, responsibility, love, and joy. I know the journey to motherhood will be unpredictable, and that building a family takes patience, sacrifice, and courage. I am prepared for the unknowns and feel that I have the resources and support in place to be the best mother that I can be. I believe open adoption is the ideal way to do this, and I am excited at the prospect of welcoming a new baby into my home and building our family together.

-Michelle