June 2009 Face of a Foster Care Graduate – Lin Seahorn
May 26, 2009
Our June 2009 Face of a Foster Care Graduate comes to us from Alpharetta, Georgia. Lin is a true example of a survivor who continues to turn her past pain and tragedy into triumph. Growing up, Lin spent time in orphanages and foster care homes, she has experienced abuse at the hands of many. As you read her story you will notice that she never gave up, never mentions wanting to give up. You will also read about a wonderful non-profit organization called Children Without a Voice USA, which is dedicated to fighting child abuse in the United States. This organization was founded by this amazing graduate. Honored to introduce you to Lin…..
Name: Lin Seahorn
State: Georgia
Occupation: Founder & Executive Director
Marital Status: Married
A remarkable example of a survivor.
I learned to survive at an early age. I lived with hundreds of other children in Parmadale, a large catholic orphanage/group home, whatever you want to call it, in Cleveland, Ohio. Let me tell you, these ARE orphanages because these are children who have been handed over for society to take care of. I lived in another orphanage when I was 3 in Bean Station, Tennessee. I lived in private foster homes in two states and saw lots of sickness as a child. At age 11, my best friend at Parmadale was a little 5 year old boy who was raped by his father. I heard his story and would seek him out every day and protect him. I think of my little friend often and it tears me apart. I wonder who he is today, where is he? Is he alive…is he happy? Did he commit suicide? I will find him some day and be able to share with him how he kept me alive all of these years.
As a little girl, I was violently beaten, punched in the face, kicked, called names, sexually abused by my father, beaten across my bare back with belts, forced to stay in a small dark attic (with the pull down stairs and very little space to sit and was warned of moving, for fear of coming through the ceiling), forced awake all night sitting in a corner on my hands, deprived food, forced to stay between the door and screen door until late hours in the winter, not allowed to ever talk on a phone (never knew my own phone number), go in the kitchen where the food was, drank powdered milk because we were poor and was forced to stay up late hours washing all of the dishes in every cupboard in the kitchen for missing a dirty plate or not consuming every kernel of corn on my cob. I was never allowed to have friends and locked in my bedroom for days, staring out the window watching other children play because I was an inconvenience to my parents. My mother once took me to a hospital and tried to have me admitted into a psychiatric home, because she didn’t want me anymore. Thank God for those doctors who had me returned to my home. Looking back, I am forever grateful for the physical pain I endured at the hands of my parents instead of being put into a mental hospital where I knew I did not belong. When I was kicked out of the house daily, I was fondled by the neighborhood boys, beaten up and chased home from school every day by the girls because I was pretty. I learned little in school from having been deprived of sleep the night before. Eventually I ended up in the system which it too, would have consequences.
I got my first apartment at 15, finished high school and entered college at 16. At 18, I dropped out of college to take care of my 13 year old younger sister whom I gained custody of, in attempt to keep her out of the foster system or jail. I worked two jobs. At 21, I was supporting my 14 year old younger brother. At age 25, I became a successful entrepreneur as a founder of a cellular company.
TODAY, I LEAD A PRODUCTIVE LIFE and I am thankful I have been given life and have finally accepted what it is I am supposed to do. Forgive, inspire, love and give hope to others and be an advocate for children.
I have seen much of what is out there, overcome many extreme hurdles and obstacles, and somehow came out of it, with a great sense of humor, blessed with a huge heart, determination, strength, vision, insatiable curiosity, courage and thankfulness. I understand my purpose clearly now and have been blessed tremendously by given life. I will do everything I can to help children and those who share my cause.
For the past 25 years I have devoted my spare time to doing humanitarian work while going through my own struggles. Helping others in what little way I could also helped me to overcome many obstacles and break the cycles of abuse and destruction. I have been an active advocate for crimes against children and animals on a domestic and international level. Most all of my work has been raising awareness and campaigning privately for tougher sentencing against child abusers and molesters in the U.S. I have files full of my work. I founded Children Without A Voice USA Christmas eve, 2007 and spent nearly 5,000 volunteer hours in its first 12 months in building the organization from the ground up. We have international support with chapters in four other countries, Brazil, Uganda, Belgium and Germany.
Of all of the things I experienced as a child, none were more traumatic than the time when there were no foster homes in East Tennessee for children my age. The few foster parents there were, only wanted small babies and not a pre-teen. No one told me anything the night a police man showed up at my foster home, placed me in the back seat and drove me 45 miles to the next biggest town, Knoxville, Tn. He walked me up a long concrete walkway towards a drabby brick building. I remember being so excited to see if this home would be “nicer” than the last home I was in. I proudly wore my long maxi coat and even carried a tiny suitcase with a few clothes in it. It turned out to be a “holding” place for me where I lived for a few weeks. It was a detention center for delinquents. We stayed in jail like cells and the girls beat me up every day for being different. They thought I had a perfect life because I showed up with a suitcase and a nice coat on. I was transferred by the police 45 miles to that location and the ride alone was terrifying, with not knowing why I was in a police car or where I was going. To this day, I refuse to visit Knoxville, Tn. and drive by the center but I could find it blindfolded if I wanted too. The image and experience is still very clear in my mind.
Tennessee has gotten better recently in improving their foster program but only after a lawsuit was filed against the state in 2000 and then after several more motions since 2003 asking them to improve the system. http://www.childrensrights.org/reform-campaigns/legal-cases/tennessee-brian-a-v-bredesen/
I wonder how many innocent children had to suffer all of those 40 something years since I was in the system.
About Children Without A Voice USA
Nearly 3 million American child abuse cases are reported each year in this country. REPORTED. BUT the Department of Justice and experts estimate the number to be three times greater, putting child abuse cases at 9 MILLION in America. This is at EPIDEMIC PROPORTIONS. Every day, 4 children die from abuse in THIS country. Abusive Head Trauma/SBS (Shaken Baby Syndrome) is a horrible tragedy and rapidly growing.
Let’s start right now in THIS country and stop the rampant heinous crimes against OUR MOST PRECIOUS NATURAL RESOURCE-OUR CHILDREN. I challenge ALL celebrities, musicians, corporations AND ALL OTHERS to join me in being a voice for our children. All we need is your voice, time or money. It’s your choice. We are the only national abuse prevention organization to offer free educational materials on our website for download. Please help America’s children by going to our official website and making a donation or volunteering your time today.
Please visit ChildrenWithoutAVoiceUSA.org
Comments
9 Responses to “June 2009 Face of a Foster Care Graduate – Lin Seahorn”
Got something to say?
Wow! This article speaks magnitudes for what we are capable of when we put our hearts and minds to it. Lin, you should be so very proud of yourself. You will be a light for so many children.
WOW
This story makes me know I wasnt the only one. Even though I have not been around to much lately. I fully support this cause and am so thankful for Jennifer and this site. Now Lin I say never give up the fight I havent oh and if you are wondering im also one of the featured graduates on this site.If you ever need A band for a fundraiser for your cause let me know I now work with the greatest bunch of guys the national artist ON TRACY LANE . And they have already said they would love to join the fight against child abuse through their music. With that said God Bless.
Goes to show any of us can accomplish anything if we set our mind to it. We are survivors for a reason,it is up to us as survivors to break the cycle or continue it. Thank you for all you do.
The human spirit is amazing! Way to make your own future…
I like how you took the negatives of your past and funneled them into something positive that has helped you and others.
You are the best.
Love you,
Linda and family
Your story is truly an inpsiring tale of triumph over adversity. It takes a special person to redirect the negative feelings and emotions from one’s past and channel them into something so positive. I wish you much success in your mission to save the lives of children. I can think of no higher calling.
Lin, your story inspires me. Seeing all that you’ve been through and where you are today. WOW!!! To see what you are doing to give back is awesome. I live in Lithia Springs,Ga and would like to meet you and talk more. (I’m a graduate of the system too)
Thank you for blessing me with your story.
Thank you for all of your kind words…you may email me at:
email@childrenwithoutavoiceusa.org