Making Connections Expectations, Experiences and Revelations

Elly Dotseth, a passionate truth-seeker and inspiring storyteller, invites you on an extraordinary journey of self-discovery in her riveting memoir, "Making Connections." Nearing her 70th birthday, Elly's world is turned upside down when a DNA test reveals a long-hidden family secret: the father who raised her is not her biological father. As the COVID-19 pandemic engulfs the globe, Elly delves into the complex world of donor conception, grappling with the emotional, scientific, and social ramifications of her newfound reality.

With a keen eye for detail and a talent for unraveling the threads of the past, Elly weaves a captivating tale that explores the very essence of family, love, and identity. In her quest for answers, she uncovers the truth about her origins and embarks on a remarkable journey to connect with the relatives she never knew existed. A fearless advocate for truth and transparency, Elly's story will resonate with anyone who has grappled with the complexities of their own family history, as well as those who seek to better understand the impact of the donor conception industry on the lives it touches.

Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and raised in Sunnyvale, California, I have lived most of my life near the California coast. I earned my BA in Anthropology at the University of California, Santa Barbara where my first full time job was working at a breast implant factory, inspecting silicone implants to ensure there were no tiny things floating in the gel before they were sealed and sent to be sterilized.
I have never had one clear trajectory in my life. I am interested in learning as much as I can about animals, plants, people, the environment, and myself. I have told friends stories about some of my experiences, and many have encouraged me to write a book, but it was not until I unexpectedly found out that I was a donor conceived child, that I really felt compelled to begin to tell my stories. I have taken on many roles in my 69 years! I have been a daughter and a sister, a motel maid, a breast implant inspector, a potter, a non-profit leader, a public school teacher, a pottery instructor, a small business entrepreneur, a very involved mother, a wife and lover, and now an author. My life has not been boring!
I am currently very active in a Rotary Club and enjoying travel to other countries.