I come from a unique parentage. I am the product of my mother and a sperm donor. Unlike most families I have only ever known half of my lineage. I have always known of my unique backstory but not until recently have I really thought, been curious, and explored this aspect of my identity. Over the last five years I have discovered that I have 28 diblings (which is a combination of donor and sibling) that live all across the country. For my Senior Design Capstone, I chose to explore this unique aspect of my identity. I created a book that discusses the process and struggles that donor-conceived children and their parents have as they navigate the new family connections made through sperm donation.
The whole process of my Capstone was not completely focused on the design of the final product. Instead it was an up and down experience of finding out who I am as a designer and as a human being. At the beginning of my capstone project I had discovered 23 diblings. Throughout the process of creating my capstone I discovered five more diblings that live all across the country. I have connected with my diblings even more and have come to realize how similar we truly are. My family is constantly growing, and I cannot definitively say whether or not I will find all of my diblings. I just have to be open and willing to keep searching.
