What It’s Really Like to Be Put Up for Adoption Because You’re Disabled

On today’s episode of What It’s Really Like, I sat down with Jen Montzingo to discuss her extraordinary journey of living with dwarfism, being put up for adoption by her wealthy birth parents at just three months old, growing up in a group home before being adopted by loving parents with dwarfism, and later navigating a life-changing spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed. Jen shares her lived experience with disability, abandonment, adoption, resilience, identity, and rebuilding her life through unimaginable challenges. This powerful conversation explores ableism, family rejection, trauma, perseverance, and what it truly means to overcome adversity while redefining your own story. Follow Jen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenmontzingo/ 📚 ORDER MY MEMOIR: UNSEEN: How I Lost My Vision but Found My Voice — available now! Tap the link in bio to get your copy. 🐾 Support My GoFundMe for The Mira Foundation (guide dogs for the blind): https://gofund.me/5d8fc57f 🛍 Shop My Amazon Favorites: www.amazon.com/shop/mollyburke (Find my go-to vision boarding book, motivational stickers, and more in the Health & Wellness section!) 🐝 Join the Killer Bee Club on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mollyburke 🎧 Listen to my audiobook “It’s Not What It Looks Like” on Audible: https://audible.com/mollyburke 📲 FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram: @mollyburkeofficial TikTok: @mollyburkeofficial Twitter: @mollybofficial Facebook: Molly Burke Official 🌐 Learn more about me: http://mollyburkeofficial.com Hi! I’m Molly Burke — a fashion-loving, sushi-obsessed, makeup-wearing millennial who just so happens to be blind. Diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at 4 years old, I began public speaking at age 5 and haven’t stopped since. From motivational talks to modeling, I’m passionate about creating a more inclusive world for people with disabilities. Even though I can’t see, I believe there’s always a bright side — and I’m here to help you find it. 💕