I was two and a half when I came into the system as a result of my mother’s substance abuse. I lived in some homes for a few days, others a few weeks or months. Most homes were kind and tried to care for me, but one was horrendous. They had as many as 16 foster kids, including a lot of babies, in a trailer with only three bedrooms. I was there when I was seven and eight and had to diaper and care for the babies. The worst were the cruel punishments. My younger brother, who had ADHD had other abusive stories from the home. Eventually, the family was investigated. They denied everything so I was branded a troublemaker and sent to a shelter home, leaving my brother behind. Then I got a CASA.
I was in the system five years before I was given a CASA. The system had already taken a toll on me. I was eight when I was assigned a CASA. “I didn’t trust her. She was just another adult in my life making promises that I didn’t quite believe.” I’d like to think that my story has three parts. First is the time I felt like I was lost in the foster care system. Second is when my CASA came into my life. And third is when she helped find a family for me.
A few months after being taken from that abusive environment, my brother and I were reunited in a better foster home. It took two years, and a lot a hard work from my CASA but finally the abusive home had their license was revoked. Although they were able to adopt seven of the foster kids, three years later the parents had been arrested for more than 30 counts of felony child abuse with torture. Nobody believed me then, but they do now.
I wouldn’t want anyone else to go through what I did, even when I felt all alone and lost I imagined the life that I’m living I never realized what it would take to make it a reality, but I’m certainly glad my CASA did. I know I never thanked her enough, but, without her I don’t know where I would be today.
Ashley: foster care child