Special to NKyTribune
Jenny had been severely neglected and horribly abused as a toddler by birth parents addicted to drugs, and she was removed from their home when she was three years old.
Jenny believes she may have a sister and brother but there is no one available who can confirm her memories, or provide any details about her siblings and their lives together.
Jenny was placed in a foster home, but had trouble adjusting. She was confused and scared and did not know what was expected of her in this new home. She had never been taught appropriate limits and boundaries, and was not used to structure.
Jenny was moved to another foster home and then an adoptive home, and another and another, but each placement ended for one reason or another. Each time Jenny had her hopes up that this home would be her last; this family would become her forever family, but each time Jenny found herself in the position of packing her things in suitcases and garbage bags and moving on.
With each failed placement Jenny lost a little bit more hope. She lost a little more trust and a little more faith that she would ever be adopted.
Jenny eventually found herself placed in a residential facility. She was assigned to a therapist who believed in her and saw all the good and potential in this frightened little girl. This therapist assured Jenny that it was not her fault that her previous placements had disrupted and that she was not responsible for the abuse she had suffered at the hands of her birth family. The therapist worked with Jenny on processing the trauma she had experienced and acknowledging the many losses she had suffered. Jenny worked very hard in therapy and started to trust her therapist.
After yet another failed adoptive home placement Jenny put up a brave front, but it was clear that she was confused and hurting. After living in eleven different places in just three and half years, this second grader was placed in another adoptive home. Only this time, things seemed different.
In this home, patience, praise and consistency were the norm. Jenny’s new parents tried very hard to understand Jenny’s past experiences and how they influenced her behaviors. Jenny was accepted for who she was. Jenny finally, tentatively, began to trust again. Although still very vulnerable and extremely wary, she began to slowly bond with her parents.
Jenny had yearned for a puppy for some time and her parents hoped that having one would make Jenny feel even more a part of their family. One day Jenny was surprised with a tiny, fluffy dog she could call her own. Jenny began to believe that maybe, just maybe, this really would be the home and family she could also call her own forever.
Happily, Jenny and her family recently celebrated her adoption. Jenny is doing well in school and is getting straight A’s. She is making friends and enjoys playing soccer. As the holidays approached, Jenny’s mother asked Jenny what she might like for Christmas. Jenny thought for a minute, looked at her mom and told her “I have my puppy and my Forever Family. That’s all I really need for Christmas.”
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and May is National Foster Care Month.
What can you do to help Kentucky’s most vulnerable children?
Find out by contacting: DCCH Center for Children and Families, 75 Orphanage Road, Fort Mitchell during a special Meet N Greet, Sunday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m. More details at www.dcchcenter.org or contact Gene Blair at 859-331-2040 or email at gblair@dcchcenter.org
From DCCH
