(JUNE 20) Next week, (June 30- July 4th) I will be traveling to Seoul, South Korea to address an audience of Korean American adoptees and their families who will be gathering for the annual KAAN conference (Korean American Adoptee Network). KAAN helps Korean American adoptees develop and access a network of others with similar backgrounds while providing resources that will help them learn about their heritage and Korean culture.

This is a personal journey for me, and I am hopeful my small part and talk will serve as an inspiration for the kids in Korea who are still waiting to be adopted as well as for those who have come to America but are finding it hard to know where they fit in. To date more than 100,000 Korean children have been brought to America. With their families, they form a community of more than 2 million people. Many of those families are in the Pacific Northwest. I would be very interested in talking with you more about my speech and issues I think other Korean American adoptees would be interested in learning about.

If you're not familiar with my background, I was adopted from Korea by an American family and grew up in a rural part of Oregon. In spite of the hardships surrounding my life before coming to America, I have been continually blessed and able to pursue opportunities that have exceeded even my wildest dreams and certainly the dreams of most Americans! I pursued a career as a professional kickboxer and boxer, became a world title holder for both sports and eventually fought and won the first female pro boxing match in South Korea. My husband and I now own a successful boxing and martial arts gym in Bellevue.

In spite of my great success, I have never forgotten my roots. And even though America continues to offer my amazing opportunities, it was not easy growing up as a Korean American adoptee. Koreans are very proud of culture and heritage. This pride often acts as a barrier for those of us who do not know our lineage. Americans are also proud of their culture and as anyone who has attended a grade school or high school knows, if you look different life is just that much harder. Often Korean American adoptees have no idea where they belong.

That is why I am so supportive of KAAN. I first learned about KAAN a few years ago when I was asked to be a guest speaker at the 2003 Korean Culture Camp hosted at the Wing Luke Asian Museum where Korean American Athletes were being featured. My memorabilia was displayed and I met Korean American kids on their field trip and spent time with them talking about my background. Since then I have been involved with Korean American community and hopeful my speech and continued efforts will serve as an inspiration.
Sincerely,
Kim "Fireball" Messer