The Life Of Being In Foster Care

I first became a foster child when I was 10 years old. At the time, my mother was battling a drug addiction and was in an abusive marriage. Due to my mother’s addiction and her place of employment at that time, she was rarely home. My older sister who is four years older than me took care of me for quite some time when our mother wasn’t home. Although my mother tried to get away from her abusive husband, he would unfortunately stalk us and buy us things for us to move back. One of the reasons DCS got involved was because I drew a picture in class of what I saw my mother’s abusive husband do to my sister and my mother. I was never the abused one, just the one running and calling the police to save them. I drew the picture and laid it to where I knew my teacher would see it and then went off to recess. When I came back, my picture was gone so I knew he had picked it up and then hoped for change. I only did this because after calling the police countless times, my mother would lie and say that nothing was wrong and they would leave just for it to happen again. Although it broke me to watch my mother pack our belongings and be driven away to a foster home, I just wanted to feel safe.

I met my current foster parents when I was 13. I felt very out of place at first. They had this beautiful home and family full of love that I never experienced until then. Although I have had great foster parents previously to them, I have a closer relationship with them. It wasn’t easy at first by any means. I was a difficult teenager because I was so angry with my mother still for not doing what she needed to do to get me back. All I ever wanted was for my mother to change and do what she was told to do. It took me years to accept my mother for who she was at that time and accept that I would never return home to her. My foster parents went through many suicide attempts with me. They went through an eating disorder with me. They went through drug and alcohol addiction with me. We have fought so many battles together even when I was at my worst and I am forever grateful for them. They didn’t have to love me. They didn’t have to be there for me when I was slowly killing myself from not eating. They didn’t have to be there when I was in and out of PBH for suicide attempts, but they were. They have always been by my side even after I was no longer in their care. It’s not every day you meet people who are so openminded and loving. I am truly blessed to still have these extradanoiry foster parents in my life. They still treat me like their daughter, and they don’t have to. We still go out to dinner and they are still very active in my life and my children’s. They taught me how to be a parent. That’s the biggest impact they’ve made on me. I learned how to be an amazing mother watching my foster mom. I also learned how to provide for my family by watching my foster mom and foster dad bust their butt day in and day out for their family and their foster children. I still reach out to them for advice or anything I need. I can’t express how grateful I am for meeting them.

My case manager Cinnamon is simply amazing. Just like Susan and Kevin she was there for me through it all. I was a troubled teenager as I explained above and she also never left my side. She still treats me like family, that’s how amazing she is. I met her before she was actually my case manager when she was just a receoptionist at Rescare. We developed a relationship while I was waiting for my supervised visits to start. She was so loving and only knew me from talking to me while I waited. Our relationship became so strong that I brought my school pictures in for her to have and she kept them! She probably still has them along with photos of my children. She has made such an impact on me that I am going to school to be a case worker. My goal is to be just like her. She didn’t have to stick by me through my battles, but she did. My favorite memory is always going to Banidido’s when she would visit. She is the type of case worker I want to be once I graduate. She is my role model and I have always looked up to her. I wish everyone could have her as a case worker because she is simply amazing. How many people can say their previous case worker still calls them to ask how they’re doing? I don’t think many can. She is still very active in my life as well as my children’s. I am so grateful to have known someone so caring for all these years because case workers like her are rare.

If my foster parents wouldn’t have taken me in, I don’t think I would be here today. I truly think I would be dead. I know that sounds awful but if I didn’t have them to help me get through my battles I wouldn’t be here. They were there the most cheering me on to get better through every obstacle that was thrown my way. I remember my foster mother getting so excited when I was 100 pounds when I was still battling my eating disorder. As sad as that may sound to you, it was encouraging to me. When I tried to commit suicide by overdosing and cutting myself, she was right there when I woke up. My foster parents have always been there for me even though at times I didn’t deserve it. There were times as a teenager I took them for granted and they still loved me. They have given me the most unconditional love that I am truly just thankful for. I can’t imagine my life without them or Cinnamon. I will always turn to them for support just like I have been since I have met them.