Are you curious about what it’s like to grow up as a donor child? Now you can read Emma Grønbæk’s book “Donor child – a child of love”. Here Emma shares her story about being a donor child. Emma is a nurse and during her studies it dawned on her that her and her family’s experiences might benefit others.
My life as a donor child
My name is Emma, I was born in 1996 and I am a donor child. I have a mother and a father and two sisters. Ever since I was a child, I have openly stated that I am the donor child of an anonymous sperm donor. My story is overwhelmingly positive, and it has been met with both acceptance and resistance.
When my parents realised that they needed a sperm donor to have a child, there was only one option back ten, an anonymous donor. Today, both they and I are happy that the choice was so simple.
In general, I think there is a lack of knowledge and positive stories about donor children. The media presents a stereotypical picture of what sperm donation is. Maybe it’s not so black and white. My story is not necessarily the golden truth, but it can provide an insight into what it can also be like to be a donor child.
I’m just happy to be me
I have not had an unhappy childhood or fought with identity issues. I’m just happy to be me. I am eternally grateful to the man who helped my parents in their struggle to have a child. I think of him as a nice man who might look like me and who I hope has a good life. But a life that I do not need to be a part of. I hope he feels the same way and that he does not worry if I’m sad about his choice – because I’m not.
With my story, I can hopefully help future parents who are considering having children through sperm donation. But perhaps it can also help sperm donors if they someday reflect on how their help was received. Or other donor children who may have a similar or a very different story than mine.
Get a both personal and professional perspective on sperm donation
In addition to sharing her personal story, Emma has invited leading Danish doctors and psychologists to put her story in perspective by using their knowledge about fertility treatment, donor choice, relationships during treatment and family life.
Read the book as a contribution in the debate about the use of donors and get both a personal and professional insight into being a donor child, childless or parents of a donor child.
What are donor categories?
If you are considering having a child using donor sperm it may be a good idea to learn a bit more about donor categories.
There are different donor categories to choose from and it is important that you consider thoroughly which category may be right for you.
