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Rewriting Family - Lessons from Adoption, Identity, and Language | Cheryl Nankoo | TEDxDubai College

A powerful talk exploring adoption, identity, and how we can support families through mindful language. In this heartfelt and eye-opening talk, I'll share my personal journey of adopting two children from Sierra Leone and how the experience redefined my understanding of family, identity, and resilience. Through real stories and powerful moments, I’ll explore the challenges of navigating trauma, transitioning cultures, and parenting in the face of misunderstanding.The talk also shines a light on the hidden power of language—how well-meaning but misplaced phrases like “real mum” or “gave them up” can unintentionally harm, and what we can say instead to support adoptive families with empathy and respect.As an NLP coach and mother, I’ll reveal how the mindset of growth, flexibility, and compassion was not just something I taught — but something I had to live, every day. This isn’t just a talk about adoption. It’s a talk about love, courage, and rewriting the stories that shape us. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

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