Skip to content

Sarah Simpson column: Woman searching for birth mom Devereaux, from Duncan

The 35-year-old horse trainer is searching for her birth mom.
15026860_web1_columnist-Sara-Simpson-bright-side-web

Here we are at the start of January. I already get enough exercise. I’m trying to drink more water. I need to eat a little better. None of these things are epic but they will have a positive impact on my life if I can follow through. (Don’t ask me how my meditation habit is going, or rather, went.)

Imagine, though, how Penticton’s Megan Creel is feeling about her upcoming year. It’s not a resolution per se, but if successful, Creel’s life will change forever.

The 35-year-old horse trainer is searching for her birth mom.

“All I know about her is that her last name is Devereaux and she’s from Duncan, B.C.,” Creel said last week.

She also knows her own birthday: July 21, 1983, and that she was born in Penticton.

“To be honest I have always wanted to find my birth mom,” she explained. “I thought it was something I would do immediately when I turned 18. After speaking to several people about it I felt discouraged. Everyone was so negative about it!”

This is a good news story so you know what’s coming, right? No, she hasn’t found her birth mom yet. The good news is that she’s not giving up and she’s all of a sudden getting a lot of help.

Posted on Facebook on Jan. 2, Creel’s plea was shared 6,700 times in two days, including by some residents of the Cowichan region. By Monday it had been shared more than 12,000 times.

“I am totally shocked by the amount of attention my post has received,” Creel said. “I’ve had countless messages from friends and strangers. They have all been so kind and helpful. I was moved to tears by the amount of people wanting to help.”

She has received a lot of advice, from Ancestry DNA to various agencies to check into. There’s been some unhelpful advice, too, but she’s choosing to ignore those comments.

“That’s just life, there will always be positive and negative in everything we do,” Creel said.

While the word is getting out, Creel hopes the right eyes see it. She’s got so many questions.

“I’ve always been very curious about my background. I am often asked what my background is because of my bright green eyes and my dark hair,” she said. “I would love to hear why she wanted to give me up. I’m sure it was a selfless move on her part. After having children I realize how hard it must have been to give one up.”

She’d also like to know about any potential health concerns, especially since she now has children of her own.

“I’ve often wondered where I got my love of horses from,” she said. “To me it feels like it must be in my blood. It would be interesting to know. I could go on and on I’m sure. Just imagine knowing nothing about your mom and how naturally curious you would be!”

She’s got a few leads including a potential relative that lives near to her.

“We connected and have been chatting and I’m hoping we are related because she’s pretty awesome,” Creel said with a laugh.

Creel said her adopted family is great but they are now spread out all over B.C. and Europe.

She dreams of having a bigger family, one that includes blood relatives.

“The only people I know that share my DNA are my children at this point,” she said.

The search continues.

“Overall I feel like no matter what happens I’ll still be OK,” she said. “So far I have 100 per cent success rate of living without her. It certainly would be neat to know though.”



sarah.simpson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter



Sarah Simpson

About the Author: Sarah Simpson

I started my time with Black Press Media as an intern, before joining the Citizen in the summer of 2004.
Read more