I was adopted when I was 3 years old, automatically taken from my biological mother at birth. She struggled with drug abuse, alcohol abuse and prostitution. I was born two months early, pre-mature and so small the doctors didn't think I would survive. I mean, who could look at a baby who was 2 pounds, 3 ounces and already being born addicted to drugs? I laid there in an incubator, hooked up with feeding tubes riddling my little body. I wasn't responding well. Fast forward to a few days later, my biological mother had already moved back to Alabama, and I was put in an orphanage. I was there until I was 6 months old, before I was chosen by a family to be its little angel. Little did I know, it wouldn't last forever.

My name is Destiny. I just turned 20, and this is my untold story of being adopted. Here are 10 things adoptees want the outside world to know.

1. We are much more than being "adopted."

2. Some adoptees want to find answers, and other do not.

3. Our experiences are very real.

4. Many struggle with psychological issues.

5. We long to be connected and feel connected with others.

6. We need help making sense of our story.

7. Not all of us had a good life being adopted.

8. I want adopted parents to be prepared emotionally and physically before they decide to bring a child home.

9. Many do not know their family health history.

10. Growing up you see first hand that blood does not make family.