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Darrick Rizzo!Writer and Keynote Speaker !!As the owner of Rizzo Productions, Darrick Rizzo helps many high school athletes prepare to make their college dreams come true. He understands the importance of networking and never
misses a chance to make connections. While on the job, Darrick once met the Chief of Security of the Baltimore Ravens and tucked his business card into his pocket. Years later, when he needed a foreword for his dramatic new book, The Open Adoption, that card would lead Darrick to connect with Michael Oher, NFL Super Bowl Champion with the Baltimore Ravens and featured in the film,The Blind Side. Apart from meeting the champion offensive tackle, and sharing his inspiring story, Darrick also proved the importance of the mantra he now shares with students all across the country: !
“First you must find COURAGE, then you must accept CHANGE, now you are ready to NETWORK, but always know OBSTACLES will come along
during your JOURNEY TO SUCCESS.” !Now one of the first birth fathers to speak out about adoption, Darrick blogs
at two national adoption agencies: www.iheartadoption.org and www.chsfs.org. Thousands of adoptive parents, birth parents and adoptees are reading these blogs and finding inspiration and answers to their questions. Darrick is excited to share his insights and experience with open adoption and to show the birth father's perspective in the adoption triad.
Darrick Rizzo Writes and Speaks on these
topics:!!Open Adoption!
Birth Father Rights!Communicating with
Adoptive Parents!Keeping in Touch with
Adopted Children
“He tells his story in a very compassionate way which has
proved to be very helpful, educational and emotional for
adoptive parents who are in the process of deciding if adoption is
an option for them.” Lois Eckels Williams, The Eckels
Adoption Agency
As a successful businessman, father, mentor and community leader, Darrick pays it forward by speaking out and motivating others. With Rizzo Productions, he facilitates new connections between parents, high school athletes and college coaches making sure the athletes put their best foot forward with video portfolios.!Slam Magazine called Darrick Rizzo "The Kobe Bryant stopper" holding Kobe to his lowest high school basketball game, a total of 8 points. For the past ten years, Darrick has also worked with programs like My Brothers Keeper and the Big Brother as a drug and alcohol mentor for troubled youth.!
All these experiences have inspired Darrick to become a Motivational and Transformation Speaker and Blogger, empowering others to overcome obstacles and find success. Darrick understands the power of positive thinking and is grateful to be able to share this understanding with thousands of students through keynote speeches, as well as his life-lessons in adoption through national adoption agencies. Darrick knows no matter what’s going on, there’s nothing you can’t handle. Everything is possible. You can turn your pain into something positive. Join him in his outspoken and jubilant slogan:!
YOU GOT THIS! To book Darrick Rizzo for keynote speeches or workshops please call 570-322-3298.!www.theopenadoption.com!www.DarrickRizzo.com!theopenadoption.tumblr.com
In his dramatic new book, The Open Adoption, Darrick tells a
tale of hope, loss and faith when, at age eighteen, he gave up his son in an Open Adoption that turned out to be anything but open. With a foreword by
Michael Oher, NFL Super Bowl Champion with the Baltimore Ravens and featured in the
film,The Blind Side.
Mr. Rizzo’s narrative is riveting. His story is
poignant, heartbreaking, and ultimately deeply
inspiring. Ann Wrixon, Independent
Adoption Center
The Open Adoption - Synopsis
Told from the unique birthfather’s point of view, The Open Adoption, A Birthfather’s Journey explores the joy and sorrow of Darrick Rizzo’s s struggle to connect with the son he was forced to give up. Beginning with a foreword by football legend and adoptee, Michael Oher from the movie “The Blind Side”, Rizzo follows with his “Baby Boy Code,” the credo he hopes all parents--on both sides of the adoption equation--will follow. Rizzo details his seventeen year journey with open candor, reprints of correspondence with his son and the adoptive parents and an eye-opening chapter written by the adoptive mother.
During his first months of college, Darrick Rizzo, an athletic African American student is having a secret affair with Sherri Thomas, a blond-haired, blue-eyed high school senior. When Sherri discovers she is pregnant, Darrick’s future becomes turmoil of uncertainty. Only his love for Sherri and his unborn son along with his faith in God light the way. Darrick and Sherri make plans to quit school and sports to raise their child, but Sherri can’t yet face her parents with this news. Reluctantly, Darrick agrees to keep it secret.
The next months are painful. The pressures of secrecy and uncertainty wear on the couple, until Sherri’s younger sister spies the baby bump in the locker room. Sherri’s fears are soon confirmed and her parents push her into adoption. Darrick instantly rejects the idea, but Sherri's distress convinces him that an Open Adoption is the best solution. For her sake, he swallows the pain he feels at the thought of giving up his son and agrees even without understanding the full ramifications of an Open Adoption.
Darrick learns that with this model, the birthparents get to choose the baby's adoptive parents. If all parties agree, the birthparents may have a presence in the child's life. Darrick's son
will have loving, capable parents and he will know that his birthparents gave him up for purely unselfish reasons. What a lucky baby, to grow up with so many people loving him!
However, from the beginning of the process, Darrick finds flaws in the Open Adoption system. None of the four couples presented meet his exacting criteria. Finally, Darrick and Sherri meet the Millers, a biracial couple who promise to keep in touch with Darrick and make sure his son knows his birthparents. But Darrick is still tormented by the thought of giving up his child. He stalls about signing the adoption papers until forced into it.
On June 18, 1996, Darrick is filled with joy as he holds his baby boy, Eythan for the first time, but they have only three days together in the hospital before the Millers take him away. For the next ten years, Jackie Miller corresponds with Darrick. She relates that the baby’s
room is filled with Darrick’s presents and pictures and every day she talks to Eythan about his birthparents. Jackie’s letters become sporadic and she breaks promises to let Darrick meet Eythan. He starts to wonder if his son even knows he exists. When Jackie’s communication fizzles out, Darrick has no way of knowing Eythan’s fate. Darrick begins a search for Matt Miller, Jackie’s
The Open Adoption - Synopsis cont’d
now ex-husband. Matt confirms Darrick’s worst suspicion. Eythan knows nothing about the adoption, but he soon rectifies this deception. Darrick waits a few weeks and makes first contact with Eythan online.
During a business trip, Darrick spots Jackie and her new husband in the stands of a varsity basketball game. With a police officer as witness, Darrick confronts the couple. Jackie runs away but later calls Darrick and tearfully explains that she cut off contact because she was terrified of losing Eythan to Darrick. They renew a correspondence, but after six months, Jackie changes her phone number and Darrick loses touch with her again.
Realizing that his search has come to a halt, Darrick prays for the strength to let God guide him. Then Eythan contacts him and they begin a tentative relationship through Facebook and texts. Like most sixteen-year-olds, Eythan is excited about saving for a new truck. Darrick offers to buy him the vehicle but only if Jackie and Tim approve.
On October 15, 2012, Darrick finally meets his son as he buys his first truck. Eythan has grown to over six feet tall, a smart and capable young man.
In an explosive chapter, Jackie Miller details how she hid Eythan’s adoption and deceived Darrick for years. Her motivations were purely selfish. Since she brought Eythan home, she worried that Darrick would come to take him away. But worse, she always feared that Eythan would no longer love or need her if he found out about his birthparents. Eythan’s big heart convinced her otherwise and she realizes now that she was a poor Christian who did not put enough faith in the Lord. She hopes that owning up to her mistakes will help future adoptive parents dealing with the same fears.
Despite the positive outcome of Darrick’s long struggle, he can’t help but feel bitter. He wrote The Open Adoption so that his son will know he never gave up and for everyone in the adoption world: children, parents and agencies. He urges for more transparency in Open Adoptions and he hopes that others in his situation have the strength to forgive for the sake of the children involved.
Darrick Rizzo, Keynote Speaker References !Say No to Drugs Jill Crouse-Wolf, Campus Director River Rock Academy High School PA [email protected] (717) 244-7453 !Overcoming Life Obstacles Assistant Principal Brandon Carter William Penn High School York PA [email protected] 717-849-1218 !Multicultural/Diversity Student Leadership Querida Lugo, Associate Director of Multicultural Department West Chester University, PA qlugo@wcupa 570 974-9308 !Networking Professor Heather Mazik, Marketing Dept. Clarion University [email protected] 814-221-1254 !Adoption Ann Wrixon, MSW, MBA Executive Director, Independent Adoption Center (IAC) 800-571-2913 !“Darrick Rizzo was “great” as the guest speaker at the Black Student Union’s Black History Month Dinner. His energy was contagious. He shared his guiding principles of “What not to do during your journey to success” . The steps were practical and we were entertained with his examples from his own life experiences that helped him identify these important steps.” Jannis V. Floyd. Ed.D. Associate Professor Education and Special Education Department, Mansfield University [email protected]
Independent Adoption Center • (800) 877-6736 • www.adoptionhelp.orgAtlanta 2060 East Exchange Pl., Suite 140 Tucker, GA 30084 • Indianapolis 5136 E. Stop 11 Rd., Suite 30 Indianapolis, IN 46237 • Los Angeles 5777 W. Century Blvd., Suite 1450 Los Angeles, CA 90045
Raleigh 11030 Raven Ridge Rd., Suite 109 Raleigh, NC 27614 • San Francisco 2300 Clayton Road, Suite 1150 Concord, CA 94520 • Houston 5555 West Loop South, Suite 550 Houston, TX 77401
New York 116 W. 23rd St., Suite 500 New York, NY 10011 • Stamford Connecticut Business Center, Six Landmark Square, 4th Floor, Stamford, CT 06901
Tampa 3030 N. Rocky Point Dr. W, Suite 150, Tampa, FL 33607
professional / licensed / nonprofit
!!!February 14th, 2014!!!Dear Sir or Madam,!!Darrick Rizzo recently spoke at our monthly Adoption Workshop for new prospective adoptive parents at Independent Adoption Center. His personal story is both educational and engaging. The participants at the workshop truly enjoyed his heartfelt presentation as it increased their understanding and empathy for the emotional journey birthfathers endure. It also serves as a reminder that open adoption is nothing to fear and that when decisions about maintaining contact are driven by fear, unnecessary hurt and confusion results for all parties involved. The hope is that prospective adoptive parents who listen to Darrick's story can move forward in their adoption journey with an understanding and appreciation of the importance of honesty, integrity, and compassion as the relationship between the adoptive and birth family develops.!!If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.!!Sincerely,!!Jennifer Bliss, LCSW, LPCC, PsyD!National Associate Counseling Director!Independent Adoption Center!116 West 23rd St #500!New York, NY 10011!646-558-6505!!
Darrick Rizzo Motivational Speaker- LA: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEIG1w2JqZs
!Darrick Rizzo Motivational Speaker 2014:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKRkiQsUsBg
Watch Darrick Rizzo in Action!
The Eckels Adoption Agency
994 Vallamont Drive Williamsport, PA 17701 Fax/Phone 570-323-2520
7/26/2012
The Eckels Adoption Agency is an equal opportunity adoption agency and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or handicaps in its programs, activities or employment.
To Whom It May Concern: Darrick Rizzo is a man I worked with approximately sixteen years ago. Darrick and his girlfriend came to see me because Darrick’s girlfriend, who was a senior in high school, was pregnant. Darrick was a freshman in college. During the process of meeting with me, his girlfriend decided that adoption was the best option for their baby. Darrick himself desired to keep the baby, but he supported his girlfriend’s desire to make an adoption plan for their baby as she really wanted that and thought it would be best for all three of them. Darrick and his girlfriend met several couples and eventually chose a couple who they thought would be the most appropriate for their baby. Many promises were made to the birthparents by the adoptive parents. The birthparents believed that this was the best choice and thus after their baby was born, the baby was subsequently placed with this adoptive family who did not live in the area where Darrick and his girlfriend resided. Darrick has now been coming to my prospective adoptive parent groups to tell his story and the disappointment, sadness and anger that he has dealt with because the adoptive parents did not live up to their promises. He tells his story in a very compassionate way which has proved to be very helpful, educational and emotional for adoptive parents who are in the process of deciding if adoption is an option for them. He details his entire experience as a birthfather from prior to the birth of his son to the present. He is nonjudgmental and forgiving of the adoptive parents in the approach to his story. He has spoken to at least four prospective adoptive parent groups for this agency and his presentation is superb. He is very honest and forthright and he certainly makes prospective adoptive parents think. Many people who have heard his presentation have told me later that it was very helpful. One gentleman said, “I came into the group thinking of birth parents as somewhat selfish and not caring about their children and Darrick has certainly changed my mind.” Another person commented that they would now never make a promise to a birth parent that they didn’t think they could fulfill. Another person stated that in hearing Darrick’s story, it would help her explain to her adopted children how much the birth parents really cared for them and why they made the adoption plan that they did. Darrick is interested in presenting his story to other agencies or groups and I would highly recommend him and be glad to talk with anyone who may desire to have Darrick give his presentation.
Sincerely yours, Lois Eckels Williams, ACSW
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!!December 22, 2013
A Birthfather’s Remarkable Journey through Open Adoption Every potential adoptive parent and adoption professional owes it to himself or herself to hear Darrick Rizzo’s remarkable story of responsibility, resilience, and love for the son he placed for adoption. Promised an open adoption, Mr. Rizzo kept every promised he made, sending letters, photos and gifts over 15 years, despite repeated broken promises by the adoptive family to send photos and allow visits. Mr. Rizzo’s story is for every adoptive parent who believes that birthfather’s are absent, uncaring or do not want to be part of an open adoption. Mr. Rizzo never wavered in his commitment to the birth son he placed for adoption. He persisted in his efforts to remain in contact with his birth son in the face of an unending series of obstacles that would have deterred a less resilient and determined man. More profoundly, Mr. Rizzo forgives the adoptive family, and clearly shows that his intention was never to interfere with the adoption or replace the adoptive parents. His objection was merely to give his son the gift of knowing his adoption was done out of love, so he would know his birthfather loved him always. Mr. Rizzo’s narrative is riveting. His story is poignant, heartbreaking, and ultimately deeply inspiring. This is a story of a love so deep that it could overcome any difficulty. Mr. Rizzo shows that adoptive parents should not fear birthfathers, but embrace them as a vital, and important, part of an open adoption. I would encourage adoption professionals to invite Mr. Rizzo to speak to both adoptive and potential adoptive parents, as well as birth families. Ann Wrixon, MSW, MBA Executive Director!!!!!!!!!!!!!
