November 1963. In Philadelphia, USA, a 19-year-old named Julie Mannix was deeply in love with Frank von Zerneck. But their love faced a significant hurdle.
Although wealthy, Julie’s family refused to accept their relationship.
During a routine visit to her gynecologist, a family friend, Julie received shocking news – she was pregnant. Instead of informing Julie, the doctor disclosed the news to her mother.
Julie’s affluent family considered a pregnancy out of wedlock intolerable, especially given that abortion was illegal in the US at that time.
Instead of informing Julie about her pregnancy, her parents misleadingly told her she was suffering from depression to facilitate an abortion due to the legality of the procedure for individuals with mental health issues.
Julie, upon discovering her pregnancy, adamantly refused abortion, expressing her desire to keep her child.
Ignoring her wishes, Julie’s parents confined her to a psychiatric facility until the day she went into labor.
On April 19, 1964, Julie gave birth to Aimee but was only granted a fleeting moment with her before being coerced to sign adoption papers, forcing her to part with her newborn daughter.
Devastated, Julie relentlessly sought information about her daughter’s whereabouts, reaching out to various organizations and maintaining a hopeful expectation of a reunion.
Despite enduring significant trauma, Julie persevered, eventually relocating to New York, pursuing acting, and marrying Frank in 1965. They commemorated Aimee’s birthday annually, fostering a sense of her presence despite physical absence.
Unknown to Julie, her daughter was adopted by a caring family and named Kathleen Marie Wisler. Unfortunately, Kathleen experienced early loss, with both her adoptive parents passing away by her youth.
Determined to uncover her biological roots and establish connections absent since her birth, Kathleen, now a mother herself, utilized social services to trace her biological mother, leading her to Julie’s identity on IMDb, a movie-related website.
Feeling an emotional surge upon discovering her mother’s image online, Kathleen proactively reached out to Julie and Frank, initiating a reconnection that reshaped their family dynamics significantly.
Reunited later in life, despite the agonizing choices made decades earlier, Julie, Kathleen, and their respective families embraced a newfound sense of belonging.
You can watch Julie recount her journey, also chronicled in a book:
This heartwarming tale underscores the enduring power of love and reunion, transcending the passage of time.
Share this inspiring narrative with your loved ones to spread Julie’s uplifting resolution!
This is the story of the child I fought so hard to save.
Posted by Redbook Magazine on Tuesday, November 8, 2016
