The book is heavily researched through the help of two amazing young ladies who share the author’s vision for the storytelling structure within the book. Stories make things real. But behind the topics in the book are real pressures that touch on politics, economics, and the struggles between race, class, gender roles and the conflicts both within the United States and beyond. Their help is and continues to be invaluable. Meet them below:
Alana ‘Zhen’ Bayless
Alana “Zhen” Bayless started working with Jean Widner in August of 2022. Zhen conducted literature reviews and research on various topics associated with “The Adoption Paradox.” Topics she extensively researched include the psychological impacts of adoption for adoptees and birth parents, state adoption laws and court cases, U.S. adoption history, late discovery adoptees, and re-homing adoptions. Zhen graduated from the University of Nevada – Las Vegas (UNLV) in the Summer of 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology. Currently, Zhen is a junior project manager and program coordinator at UNLV’s Forest Inventory and Analysis program. Zhen’s long-term career aspiration is to pursue a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and become a Licensed Mental Health Therapist.
