New Series – Silent Warriors – Reader Comment

November 13, 2011

Sometimes, we have experiences we’d like to share (but not our identity). This is from a former foster care child who has offered a glimpse into a past that still proves difficult, as many of us can relate too. For those of you who would like to correspond with this silent warrior, you may do so at fannyfarmer0@gmail.com.

“I really don’t want to make my name public. I don’t want to deal with the stigma of foster care or mental illness. I didn’t survive the system well. I’m not young any more by any stretch of the imagination, but I’m still struggling to build a life. As a kid, I lived in many foster homes–maybe as many as 20. It’s an ordeal to remember them all. Not one was a kind or caring environment. All were exploitive. Many were abusive. I think being a smart kid made it worse. My parents dumped me on the state when I was five. I stayed there until I aged out. I moved so often that I don’t feel as if I come from anywhere in particular, & I lack childhood friends. I battle depression & anxiety every day. I’ve spent decades in a dark rut. I’ve never met person who lived through what I did, though I’ve wanted to for most of my life.”