Since April is child abuse prevention and awareness month, I have been reading blogs that are participating. One of these blogs is linking stories of success of foster/former foster children. I have hesitated in writing this, for many reasons, but I feel that I have to put it out there. Mainly because I meet people who think that kids in foster care don’t have a chance at success in life.
My daughter was in foster care. Most days she wants to forget that and live life as if she has always been with us. She doesn’t want to wear that label of being “different”. At the tender of age of 12, I feel as if she has seen more success that many adults.
When she was only 10 years old she wrote and submitted a story to Chicken Soup for the Soul. It was a story about her dog and how bringing into our family made her feel more secure as our daughter. Her story was published, which led to book signing that sold out in 30 minutes, live interviews on the local news, and reading her story at a local Adoption Day event.
She is a straight A student, a majorette, in the National Junior Honor Society, and on the A string in basketball and volleyball.
She recently won a few local pageants and I heard someone say, “Everything comes easy for her.” I’m glad they think that in a way, but then again, people miss how hard she works to find success. She sought out a pageant coach, found her own dress, practiced for the interview, learned how to walk and talk and sit and smile. While I was against it all at first, I had to admire the way she studied what it would take to win, and then did it. It didn’t fall in her lap. She earned it and she did with hard work and determination.
She is one who doesn’t give up. She loves life and truly has a great heart. She has volunteered as often as she can at our local animal shelter. Her goal is to someday become a vet. Of course, she is taking animal pictures as she goes. Her pictures are amazing. (she gets her eye from me!)
I believe she can be a vet. She can do anything she wants. Even if she never sees another “win” in her life, she is a success. To some people, she is the kid who is lucky and good at everything. To me (and a few others) she is nothing short of a miracle.
Foster kids, adopted kids, premature kids, gifted kids…..any kids….they all have the potential to become a success.
