Rising Above "The System"
written by:
Tamara Dawn
Being placed in the foster care system can be a very difficult and heart
breaking experience. I was placed in the system by my mother when I was
2 1/2 years old. I was very young and very scared. I grew up knowing that
my mother had dropped me off in some parking lot. Although I loved her,
I was very angry. I felt as though I was no good, my own mother didn't
even want me. I couldn't understand how anyone else could possibly care
about me. I felt neglected, hurt, and worthless.
I moved many times throughout my 16 year stay in the system. I can count
over 20 placements, not including the emergency short-term homes. I was
even adopted, but the family gave me up because I had poor bonding skills.
I knew that I had a mom out there somewhere, and I did not want all of
these strangers trying to be my parents, I didn't need them, besides they
didn't really care about me, how could they? My own mother could not keep
me, I knew that these people would end up throwing me out at the first
sign of trouble from me. In fact, I got into trouble on purpose. It became
a game to me, how long would it take for each new set of parents to kick
me out.
A lot of the homes I was in were not very nice. Abuse took place and
we were treated like housekeepers. When I reached my teens, I was finally
placed in a good home. By this time I was so messed up that I didn't realize
just how special this foster mom really was. I treated her and her entire
family like dirt for almost 2 years. I tried everything to get thrown
out, but she would not give up on me like all the others. After a while
I began to understand that I was important, and that even though I was
told by many that foster children never succeed in life, I knew that I
was "somebody". In fact, I saw my experiences in a whole new light. I
used to feel sorry for myself because I was abused, molested, abandoned,
and neglected. Now I felt strong. I had survived so much. I made it. I
was not weak. I wasn't going to let myself fail and turn around and blame
society for all the horrible things that I had to endure. I conquered
the system.
Everything Happens For A Reason
I believe that everything happens for a reason. You have the choice to
turn your exes into positive strengths. Don't let yourself become a victim
of the system, you have to rise above all the chaos and gather the strength
to save yourself from self-destruction. Your life is yours alone. If you
choose to make decisions like using drugs or ditching school, you are
only hurting yourself. You are allowing yourself to become a statistic.
Prove to the others that foster kids can make a difference. Use
your knowledge and experiences to help the children that are in the system
now, and the others that will enter it in the future.
Destroy the Cycle of Abuse
In almost every family today, there is a cycle of abuse that has been
passed down through the generations. This cycle is most likely the key
reason why you are a foster child today. Your parents and their parents
and so on, have been living the only way that they were taught, through
the cycle of abuse. They have passed this down to you. You have a great
opportunity right now while you are in foster care. You can step back
and look at how you were raised, and ask yourself if this is how you want
to raise your own children. Remember the abuse and the neglect, how hard
it was on you and how empty you felt inside. No one would wish the experiences
of an abused child on their own children. Learn from your parents' mistakes.
You are so special and you have so much strength inside you. You have
endured so much, more than most people have to go through in an entire
lifetime. You have wisdom beyond your years, use it wisely. Don't let
your future children suffer, destroy that cycle of abuse. Be the first
in many generations to stand up and shout that you have had ENOUGH of
this nonsense. Take that first step, break the chains of abuse for good.
You Are Not Alone
There are times that will always be a challenge ahead of you. It is a
very tough road that you are taking and sometimes you may feel as though
no one understands what you are going through. There are millions of foster
children throughout the world. Don't be afraid to reach out and ask for
help. I would like to be there for you if you need support, or a friend.
I am going to leave you my email address, please don't hesitate to write
me. I will respond to all of my letters.
You Have A Story, Share it With Others
My outlook on life has changed by understanding that I determine my own
fate. I now choose to say that I have been blessed to discover that my
experiences have given me a gift, the gift to help others that are hurt
and confused like I was. I feel good because I know that people listen
to what I have to say, and after my speech, or reading my story, (also
on the internet www.fosterparents.com/index94tamara.html), they have a
better understanding on how to foster their children. I encourage you
to write your story, write it down on paper and when you are done, read
it. It will amaze you. Share it with others, they will respect you, and
learn from you. Send it to me, I'd love to read it! I hope you find the
strength within yourself to rise above the system. In just a few years,
you will be on your own, no one will be there to tell you what to do,
learn now, while you still have guidance. I wish you the best of luck
on your journey through the foster care system. Remember that the system
was built to help you, if you have any problems, don't be afraid to speak
out, let your voice be heard.
copyright Tamara D. Widner 1998
Tamara Dawn
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