Son Whose Mom Was Adopted Finds Shocking Truth Years Later
Can a movie really change your life? One 2018 documentary impacted a New Jersey woman more than she thought possible, once she sensed a personal attachment to the story. Unable to shake the film's message from her head, she and her son Andrew pursued a mystery about her own life. A shocking revelation about her past soon emerged, and they both had to wonder if they were doing the right thing.
What She Knew
Michele Mordkoff had always known that she was adopted. Her parents had told her in detail about how they went to pick her up from the agency and how happy they were to finally bring her home.
New Information
However, on a summer's morning in July of 2018, Michele was browsing her phone on her way to work when she scrolled past an article describing a new movie that had just come out. The story made her wonder about her past.
Three Identical Strangers
The docudrama, Three Identical Strangers, told the story of three young men who, during their time in college, discovered that they were all brothers, separated by their adoption agency. They'd been raised without any knowledge of each other.
Secretly Separated
These triplets' adoptive parents hadn't even known about the other brothers' existences. Apparently, the adoption agency, Louise Wise Services, had secretly kept them apart for all their lives. But why?
Social Experiment
The triplets, the movie revealed, were unknowingly part of an experiment by the late psychologist Dr. Peter Neubauer who wanted to study the effects that different economic status, locations, and other major life factors would have on the same DNA.
Heart Racing
When Michele read all about the movie, the triplets, the agency and the experiment, her heart began to race. She had been adopted from that agency — and her year of birth in the early '60s was close to that of the triplets!
Ace Journalist
Wondering if she had any siblings whose existence had been hidden from her, Michele contacted journalist Lisa Belkin, who had previously investigated the obscure agency.
DNA Testing
With Belkins's help, Michele took a DNA test to find any possible mystery relatives out in the world. She anxiously waited a few weeks before the ancestry test results were finished.
Initials
The genetics company had connected her to someone with a full DNA-match, meaning they were an immediate family member — that was sibling territory. But there was no picture or full name to be found, only some initials: A.K.!
Social Media Research
Driven by an overpowering sense of curiosity, Michele jumped on Facebook and searched for Kyle Kanter, a name that'd come up in her family tree. She searched through his friends for hours — and then hit the jackpot.
Allison Rodnon Kanter
There, on her computer screen, was a name written in bold letters: Allison Rodnon Kanter, from Calabasas, California. All the way on the other side of the country. Her initials matched the DNA profile, but her profile picture, below, struck Michele the most.
Saw Myself
"I saw myself in her face," said Michele in her interview. "I then checked her birthday and it was May 12th, 1964." It was the same date as her own. "I just lost my footing and dropped to the floor."
Blown Away
"It's crazy," said Michele's son, Andrew, about his mother's discovery. "I knew she was adopted, but hearing the word twin is just a whole other thing. It makes her a different person with a different background and a whole other family out there."
Face to Face
Of course, just knowing she had a twin wasn't enough. So, on August 10th, Michele and Allison were finally going to meet face to face. Lisa Belkin documented the unbelievable event. "I feel like it's my birthday," Michele said the day of.
Hotel Reunion
At a hotel in New York City, Michele and Andrew waited anxiously for her twin sister to walk into the door, not knowing what to expect or how they would feel about each other. Finally, Allison walked through the door.
Instant Chemistry
Despite having never met, sharing stories, or seeing each other before, the women clicked with each other instantly. From their physical features to their hair and clothes, nobody would doubt for a second that they were twins. They were sisters.
Speechless
After comparing their appearances, Michele and Allison fell quiet for a moment, overwhelmed by each other's presence. "We don't even know what to say to each other," Allison laughed. "But it's a good thing," Michelle added.
Questions about Parents
Though at first they kept the conversation light, they soon posed the question on everyone's mind: what about their birth parents? Michele was adopted at 5 months old on October 14th, and Allison just two days later. "That's so messed up," Michele sighed.
Taken Away
"I keep thinking, how could [the adoption agency] do this to people?" Allison said. "They were playing with fate, I don't understand it." Michele agreed. "I know, they completely screwed us over. We could have been the twins!"
Making up for Lost Time
Still, the women planned to make up for lost time. "I can't wait to get to know her," Michele said. "Other than the birth of my children, this is the best day of my life." Allison echoed the sentiment. "It still feels almost unreal. But after today, I know it's true."
Genetic Reunions
Word of the twins' reunion made it back to Tim Wardle, the filmmaker behind Three Identical Strangers. "I've been struck by how instinctive, magical, and moving genetic reunions can be," he said.
Almost Magical
He continued, "this isn’t to denigrate non-genetic relationships, which can also be wonderful, but there’s something extraordinary and almost transcendent about observing the interaction between two people who have never met before but share the same DNA."
Not Over Yet
So far, Michele and Allison are the only twins who have found each other due to Three Identical Strangers, but the investigations into Louise Wise's history aren't over yet. In fact, authorities are still questioning how the three long-lost brothers from the film managed to reconnect — and how they dealt with the consequences.
Strange Welcome
In 1980, 19-year-old Bobby Shafran was taking his first steps onto his college campus. He hoped to make friends at SUNY Sullivan, but not as quickly as he was that day. Everyone smiled and waved at him like they had known him for some time. It was also strange that they kept calling him "Eddy."
Mistaken Identity
Bobby soon learned that he was being mistaken for someone by the name of Eddy Galland, but not just because he looked similar. Supposedly, each was a dead ringer for the other, and so Bobby had to see this for himself.
Dramatic Meeting
One day, Bobby and Eddy decided to meet. To make the reveal more dramatic, they decided to wear identical clothing and, without others fully knowing who was who, one stood outside the other's dorm waiting for the door to open.
One More Step
A door separated Bobby and Eddy. The two had never seen each other before, but they were told by their campus friends "you have a twin". Whether their friends were being literal or not, the two 19-year-olds would find out with a swing of the door.
Like A Mirror
It came as a shock for the both of them. Rather than there being another person, it was like a mirror was standing in front of them. This would be the start of Bobby and Eddy's time in the spotlight, but they didn't see all the twists and turns that lay ahead.
In the Papers
The rumors were true: Bobby and Eddy were identical. Since each knew he was adopted, they drew the conclusion that they were long-lost brothers. Their picture was shared in newspapers, and the story reached far enough to reach another 19-year-old, thanks to his adoptive mother.
Reunited Trio
Ms. Kellman saw her adoptive son David's likeness in the boys. She shared the astounding photograph of Bobby and Eddy with him. After making contact with them, David reunited with his brothers. The news of the triplets spread like wildfire, and Bobby, Eddy, and David found fame they never could imagine.
Pop Trio
Bobby, Eddy, and David took the world of pop culture by storm, appearing as a guest on talk shows like the Phil Donahue show and even making a cameo appearance alongside Madonna in the film Desperately Seeking Susan. The world was shocked with how similar they were, and not just in looks.
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Uncanny
The triplets grew up in drastically different environments, each living with a family from a different economic class: blue-collar, middle-class and wealthy. Even so, there was so much the three of them had in common. Their mannerisms, personalities, even down to what they liked, including their tastes in women. Still, something wasn't right.
Making It
The trio enjoyed a great relationship as siblings. They even moved into an apartment together and opened the now famous SoHo Steakhouse "Triplets." That success came with a price, however. As their fame grew, trusting each other became more difficult, and there was still the question of why were they separated in the first place.
Media Disappointment
It seemed like anyone approaching the triplets wanted to profit off their story. They were made promises by the media, that were soon broken as soon as their story broke. On top of that, the brothers were struggling with mental health.
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Struggling Together
The bond between Bobby, Eddy, and David began to suffer as time went on. They started to recognize their differences, but stuck together as best as they could. Nothing could prepare them for the many curveballs that were to come.
An End and a Beginning
The trio's decline began in 1995. Around that time, the adoptive parents of the three were finding the truth behind Bobby, Eddy, and David's adoption. And one sibling in particular felt increasingly overwhelmed by his inner demons.
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Grief and Truth
Eddy took his own life that year. While the family, both related and adopted, grieved over their loss, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Lawrence Wright published an article that revealed the disturbing truth of why the triplets were separated, and how it has happened to others.
Topic Discussion
Lawrence Wright's article uncovered a disturbing psychological study. The researchers involved sought to learn more about the concept of "nature verses nurture," which is a big debate when talking about children. The three brothers' future was sacrificed to find an answer.
Stop for Morality
What is more powerful in shaping a human being? Is it our biology passed down from the previous generation (nature), or is it the environment and circumstance that were grow up in (nurture)? Dr. Peter Neubauer, of the Child Development Center, would stop at nothing to find out.
An Observed Lie
Dr. Neubauer and his associates hoped to see how different or similar the children would be if they were separated — and never knew of their siblings. Throughout the boys' childhood, a physician would often come to observe them. The adoptive parents were led to believe that the visits were merely to track the adoptive children’s progress.
Coping with Truth
After reading the article that Lawrence Wright had shared with the world, Bobby and David were beyond furious. They felt used. Even with happy families of their own, there was still a hole in their hearts from all the pain they endured. It was a bad time for a sudden movie deal.
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A Decision to Make
British filmmaker Tim Wardle was fascinated by the triplets' story, and hope to make a documentary with Bobby and David's support and blessing. The two brothers were suspicious of Wardle, as they had learned to be with anyone approaching them. The filmmaker completely understood their hesitation, and worked with them while they take their time in deciding.
A Chance To Speak
After four years of convincing them, Wardle finally brought Bobby and David on board to share their story. They didn't care at all for the money, they just wanted the chance to tell the world what really happened, uncensored and unabridged.
Leap of Faith
While there were concerns of sensationalizing the story to make it sell, Bobby and David took a leap of faith and made the documentary. It became a booming success at the Sundance Film Festival, where Bobby and David began to find peace.
Healing Together
After watching the film's premiere at Sundance, Bobby and David felt like they could start to move on. The audience's hushed reaction meant a lot to the brothers, and they even had many strangers walk up to them and offer them an apology and a hug.
Love and Family
In the end, the two brothers found peace. They returned to their families, but would never allow them to be separated again. While they can't forget the difficult times, they can move forward and focus on love and family.
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