Christine Stevens, known as Tina, grew up in Alexandria, VA facing many struggles as a biracial child living in Section 8 housing with her single mother and two sisters after her father passed away from a drug overdose. By age 8, she took on responsibility for caring for her siblings while her mother worked. She graduated high school while working part-time and caring for her first child as a teen mother. She went on to college, adopt her sister's three children, and raise a family of six children with her husband, setting an example of hard work and perseverance for her children. Today, five of her six children have graduated, and she focuses her efforts on helping youth through her nonprofit organization.
The document discusses the story of the author's birth mother who put them up for adoption. The birth mother faced a difficult life working as a housemaid in Mexico where she had little independence. Though she considered abortion, missionaries convinced her not to. Instead, she made the hard choice to give the author up for adoption, allowing them to be adopted into a loving family. The author is grateful to their birth mother for making that difficult decision so that they could have a better life.
The document discusses the story of the author's birth mother who put them up for adoption. The birth mother faced a difficult life working as a housemaid in Mexico where she had little independence. Though she considered abortion, missionaries convinced her otherwise. Giving the author up for adoption was difficult but the best choice. The author is grateful to their birth mother for making that choice which allowed them to be adopted into a loving family.
Kathryn Waller cis 100 teen motherhood powerpoint nov 2, 2012katixp
This document discusses teen motherhood from both positive and negative perspectives. It begins by noting that teen motherhood is often portrayed negatively in American culture. It then provides statistics showing negative impacts on education and risks of pregnancy. However, it also notes that from a health perspective, teen pregnancy may not be as risky as assumed if the teen receives proper prenatal care. The document goes on to describe planned interviews with three teen mothers about their experiences. They discuss becoming pregnant as teens, their reactions, choosing to keep their babies, the birthing process, parenting styles, and whether they regret becoming mothers early. Overall, the document aims to present a balanced view of teen motherhood.
The document describes severe abuse the author suffered throughout their life, including being raped repeatedly in the U.S. Army and confined with prisoners to be raped. As a child, the author was sexually abused by a pedophile psychologist and gang raped by 13 boys at Wales School for Boys, rupturing their intestine. The author has military records proving the illegal activity against them and is still being abused by the system.
The document summarizes a woman's maternity journey from weeks 4 through 10 of her pregnancy. It describes her surprise at discovering she was pregnant, sharing the news with family and friends, attending early doctor appointments to hear the baby's heartbeat, feeling the baby's development, experiencing common symptoms like bloating, and preparing for the baby's arrival in July. She looks forward to determining the baby's gender and discussing potential names with her partner and son.
This document provides details about the author's family, friends, schooling, and church involvement. It states that the author has a mom, dad, and two brothers, no pets, and many friends including a boyfriend. It outlines the author's educational history, having attended pre-k, elementary school at Jefferson, and currently attending Notre Dame Catholic School. It also notes that the author has attended First United Methodist church since birth, having gone through confirmation and currently being in the youth group where they do work around and in the church.
Ashton Richey was born prematurely in Montgomery, Alabama where she currently resides. She has a twin sister and is a student at Carr Middle School who enjoys science. Her goal is to become a fifth grade teacher and hopes her future students pursue careers in science, writing, entertainment, and politics. She looks forward to school each day and spending time with her large, close-knit family especially around holidays like Christmas.
This document discusses the author taking a risk by moving to a new area and school. The author describes integrating their family with their stepmother's existing family, which has been challenging due to different parenting styles. Attending a new high school has also been difficult, as the author has had to leave their old social group and establish themselves among unfamiliar students and classes. While academics are important to the author, they have struggled in one class due to the previous teacher not staying on topic.
The document discusses the story of the author's birth mother who put them up for adoption. The birth mother faced a difficult life working as a housemaid in Mexico where she had little independence. Though she considered abortion, missionaries convinced her not to. Instead, she made the hard choice to give the author up for adoption, allowing them to be adopted into a loving family. The author is grateful to their birth mother for making that difficult decision so that they could have a better life.
The document discusses the story of the author's birth mother who put them up for adoption. The birth mother faced a difficult life working as a housemaid in Mexico where she had little independence. Though she considered abortion, missionaries convinced her otherwise. Giving the author up for adoption was difficult but the best choice. The author is grateful to their birth mother for making that choice which allowed them to be adopted into a loving family.
Kathryn Waller cis 100 teen motherhood powerpoint nov 2, 2012katixp
This document discusses teen motherhood from both positive and negative perspectives. It begins by noting that teen motherhood is often portrayed negatively in American culture. It then provides statistics showing negative impacts on education and risks of pregnancy. However, it also notes that from a health perspective, teen pregnancy may not be as risky as assumed if the teen receives proper prenatal care. The document goes on to describe planned interviews with three teen mothers about their experiences. They discuss becoming pregnant as teens, their reactions, choosing to keep their babies, the birthing process, parenting styles, and whether they regret becoming mothers early. Overall, the document aims to present a balanced view of teen motherhood.
The document describes severe abuse the author suffered throughout their life, including being raped repeatedly in the U.S. Army and confined with prisoners to be raped. As a child, the author was sexually abused by a pedophile psychologist and gang raped by 13 boys at Wales School for Boys, rupturing their intestine. The author has military records proving the illegal activity against them and is still being abused by the system.
The document summarizes a woman's maternity journey from weeks 4 through 10 of her pregnancy. It describes her surprise at discovering she was pregnant, sharing the news with family and friends, attending early doctor appointments to hear the baby's heartbeat, feeling the baby's development, experiencing common symptoms like bloating, and preparing for the baby's arrival in July. She looks forward to determining the baby's gender and discussing potential names with her partner and son.
This document provides details about the author's family, friends, schooling, and church involvement. It states that the author has a mom, dad, and two brothers, no pets, and many friends including a boyfriend. It outlines the author's educational history, having attended pre-k, elementary school at Jefferson, and currently attending Notre Dame Catholic School. It also notes that the author has attended First United Methodist church since birth, having gone through confirmation and currently being in the youth group where they do work around and in the church.
Ashton Richey was born prematurely in Montgomery, Alabama where she currently resides. She has a twin sister and is a student at Carr Middle School who enjoys science. Her goal is to become a fifth grade teacher and hopes her future students pursue careers in science, writing, entertainment, and politics. She looks forward to school each day and spending time with her large, close-knit family especially around holidays like Christmas.
This document discusses the author taking a risk by moving to a new area and school. The author describes integrating their family with their stepmother's existing family, which has been challenging due to different parenting styles. Attending a new high school has also been difficult, as the author has had to leave their old social group and establish themselves among unfamiliar students and classes. While academics are important to the author, they have struggled in one class due to the previous teacher not staying on topic.
This document outlines facts about the author's life, expectations, and future goals. It states that the author was born in Chicago, values family and friends, has three children, and hopes to complete an associate's degree in healthcare and own a home. The author's expectations are to finish their degree, have a fulfilling career, own a home, and help their children succeed. Their future goals include saving for a down payment, having a close family, furthering education, and taking children to Disneyland.
The document discusses various topics related to menstruation and women's health based on responses from women. It covers how respondents learned about menstruation, their parents' reactions, changes in life after menarche, views on menstruation and societal views, period symptoms, sex during periods, knowledge of menopause, and views on white discharge. Respondents reported learning from mothers, school, or independently. Parents' reactions ranged from supportive to treating it as impure. Life changes included physical symptoms and increased responsibility. Menstruation was viewed as natural but sometimes uncomfortable, and society still views it as taboo sometimes.
The document provides biographical information about an 11-year old born in Jackson, Mississippi on December 4, 2000. Their mother works at the VA Medical Center and their father works at V&V Trucking center. Their hobbies include track and other activities they enjoy. Their future plans are to get a good education and live a good life. Their favorite teacher is Teressa Ann Fulgham.
I WIN! Ranken Jordan 2010 Annual ReportRanken Jordan
The 2010 Annual Report details our activities for our fiscal year between July 2009 and June 2010 along with stories from patients Cecilia and Evie and social worker Ashley Rodemann.
Lisa Smith found a stable home and loving family at WinShape Homes after being orphaned at age 7. Twenty years later, Lisa has become a veterinarian with her own family, but remains close with her WinShape brothers and sisters who helped raise her. Founder Truett Cathy established WinShape Homes Foundation in 1987 to provide foster homes for children in need. The foundation currently cares for over 95 children across 11 homes in Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama, run by over 20 house parents. The Cathy family plans to expand the program to help more children succeed with a supportive home environment.
This document discusses girls' and womens' first experiences with and thoughts about menstruation. It begins by asking when respondents first learned about menstruation, most between ages 7-16, typically from mothers, sisters, maids or at school. It then asks about their first thoughts, with responses including that it was painful, confusing, and made them feel dirty or mature. The document ends by asking if respondents wish they had received information differently, with many saying they were informed well while others felt unprepared or wished it was discussed scientifically rather than frighteningly.
The survey results show responses from 16 people in Japan, most of whom are women aged 19-21 or in their fifties. When asked about abortion, most respondents believed life shouldn't be chosen by anyone and that if you have a baby, you must raise her. For women who became pregnant against their will, opinions were split on whether they would have an abortion. For men with a pregnant partner against her will, responses focused on leaving the decision to her. Most felt teen abortion is a problem in Japan due to lack of sexual education. Suggested solutions included improving sex education in schools from a younger age.
Occupational identity component 1 part 2Nancy Smith
Nancy Smith has had many occupations that have contributed to her identity, including dancing from a young age and later teaching dance to children, being a wife and mother to seven children, renovating and moving houses frequently, working as a house parent to 17 children in the Northern Territory, home educating her own children, and becoming a Christian in 1990 which remains central to her identity. She is currently seeking to become an occupational therapist and remains active through exercise like running, which she finds important for her physical and mental health.
Sarah Meek was born in Santa Ana, California in 1990 and grew up in Huntington Beach and Mission Viejo. She has a large blended family with seven siblings after her parents divorced and remarried. Sarah enjoys annual family trips and has attended several schools in Orange County. Currently, she works as a server at a restaurant in San Clemente and spends her free time horseback riding.
Pelmo was born in 1939 in Charbang, Bhutan. As a child, he helped his parents with farming and caring for cattle. He had two brothers and two sisters. Pelmo attended a religious school as a boy but did not complete his studies. He married Kuenzang in an arranged marriage according to local customs. Unfortunately, Kuenzang and their daughter passed away at a young age. Though he never remarried, Pelmo had a close relationship with his brother. As an elder in his community, Pelmo participated in cultural and religious traditions over the years and visited many sacred sites. He also provided fortune telling services to others until later deciding to stop the practice.
Yolemis Martinez Acosta was born on April 8, 1990 in Colombia. She comes from a large family consisting of her parents and five siblings. As a child, she grew up attending both church and parties with her family. Now in college studying Spanish and English, Yolemis' daily routine involves waking up early to make breakfast for her housemates before attending her own classes and working on assignments. In the evenings, she talks with her boyfriend on the phone before sleeping.
Shelley Harris introduces herself as a married woman with three children and seven grandchildren who has worked in childcare since 1989. She has experience caring for children from a young age and various qualifications in early childhood education including being a credentialed preschool teacher. She operates a licensed home daycare that provides individual attention, education, and a safe environment to help children reach developmental milestones.
Nick created a portfolio about his personal health history, family, and future aspirations. He interviewed his grandfather who discussed growing up in the 1940s and being generally healthy from playing sports as a kid. Nick's family has a history of cancer on both sides. Currently, Nick is recovering from a back injury which has impacted him physically, socially, and emotionally. He hopes to one day own a home and skydive. Nick is grateful for his 8th grade teacher who prepared him well for high school. In the future, he sees himself working at Vons and continuing his education.
Nick Swafford created a portfolio about his personal health history, family, and future aspirations. He included sections on his name and birth details, a family tree, an interview with his grandfather about growing up healthy, details about his great grandfather who immigrated from Germany, and his family's history of cancer. Nick also provided data on his studying, sleep, technology use, and discussed maintaining balance between his physical, social, and mental health since injuring his back. He expressed gratitude to his 8th grade teacher for preparing him for high school and shared where he sees himself in the future.
This document contains a health portfolio created by Nicholas Swafford. It includes sections about his personal health history, family tree, an interview with his grandfather, information about his great grandfather, and his family health history. It also shares details about Nicholas's fitness, nutrition, sleep habits, social life, and closest friends. The health portfolio provides an overview of Nicholas's physical, mental/emotional, and social health.
C:\Documents And Settings\Emily\My Documents\Personal Health History Project EnsSwafford
Nick Swafford created a portfolio about his personal health history, family, and future aspirations. He included sections on his name and birth details, a family tree, an interview with his grandfather about growing up healthy, details about his great grandfather who immigrated from Germany, and his family's history of cancer. Nick also provided data on his studying, sleep, technology use, and discussed maintaining balance between his physical, social, and mental health since injuring his back. He expressed gratitude to his 8th grade teacher for preparing him for high school and shared where he sees himself in the future.
Shelley Harris has over 30 years of experience working with children. She has a credential as a preschool teacher and worked as a head teacher for the Kedren Head Start program. She loves children and has three of her own, as well as seven grandchildren that she cares for. She has the qualifications, experience, patience and love necessary to provide a warm, stimulating environment for children to learn and grow.
A young girl reflects on how her perception of family changed when her parents divorced when she was 8 years old, coming home from school one day to find her parents having an intense conversation on the balcony that resulted in a family meeting where they broke the news of their separation. The divorce caused her to question if everyone would eventually leave her life, as she had grown accustomed to not seeing her father on a daily basis due to their irregular visitation schedule prior to the divorce.
These children were living on the streets when the author met them and took them in, questioning how they could suffer and die that way. Most of the children supported by the church orphanage lost parents to genocide, disease, or poverty and had no family to care for them. The author was compelled to help after finding children sleeping in the abandoned church, and learning they survived by scavenging from trash. This is how the orphanage began, with the goal of caring for children who would otherwise suffer on the streets.
The document describes the author Kirsten Price's childhood experiences growing up as a missionary's child. She lived in over 27 houses across different countries, including Cuba and Mexico. As a result, she had to change schools frequently and get accustomed to new cultures and languages. Though challenging at times, these experiences allowed her to understand other perspectives and value the religious freedom in the U.S. The author aims to share about her unique upbringing traveling the world with her missionary parents.
This document outlines facts about the author's life, expectations, and future goals. It states that the author was born in Chicago, values family and friends, has three children, and hopes to complete an associate's degree in healthcare and own a home. The author's expectations are to finish their degree, have a fulfilling career, own a home, and help their children succeed. Their future goals include saving for a down payment, having a close family, furthering education, and taking children to Disneyland.
The document discusses various topics related to menstruation and women's health based on responses from women. It covers how respondents learned about menstruation, their parents' reactions, changes in life after menarche, views on menstruation and societal views, period symptoms, sex during periods, knowledge of menopause, and views on white discharge. Respondents reported learning from mothers, school, or independently. Parents' reactions ranged from supportive to treating it as impure. Life changes included physical symptoms and increased responsibility. Menstruation was viewed as natural but sometimes uncomfortable, and society still views it as taboo sometimes.
The document provides biographical information about an 11-year old born in Jackson, Mississippi on December 4, 2000. Their mother works at the VA Medical Center and their father works at V&V Trucking center. Their hobbies include track and other activities they enjoy. Their future plans are to get a good education and live a good life. Their favorite teacher is Teressa Ann Fulgham.
I WIN! Ranken Jordan 2010 Annual ReportRanken Jordan
The 2010 Annual Report details our activities for our fiscal year between July 2009 and June 2010 along with stories from patients Cecilia and Evie and social worker Ashley Rodemann.
Lisa Smith found a stable home and loving family at WinShape Homes after being orphaned at age 7. Twenty years later, Lisa has become a veterinarian with her own family, but remains close with her WinShape brothers and sisters who helped raise her. Founder Truett Cathy established WinShape Homes Foundation in 1987 to provide foster homes for children in need. The foundation currently cares for over 95 children across 11 homes in Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama, run by over 20 house parents. The Cathy family plans to expand the program to help more children succeed with a supportive home environment.
This document discusses girls' and womens' first experiences with and thoughts about menstruation. It begins by asking when respondents first learned about menstruation, most between ages 7-16, typically from mothers, sisters, maids or at school. It then asks about their first thoughts, with responses including that it was painful, confusing, and made them feel dirty or mature. The document ends by asking if respondents wish they had received information differently, with many saying they were informed well while others felt unprepared or wished it was discussed scientifically rather than frighteningly.
The survey results show responses from 16 people in Japan, most of whom are women aged 19-21 or in their fifties. When asked about abortion, most respondents believed life shouldn't be chosen by anyone and that if you have a baby, you must raise her. For women who became pregnant against their will, opinions were split on whether they would have an abortion. For men with a pregnant partner against her will, responses focused on leaving the decision to her. Most felt teen abortion is a problem in Japan due to lack of sexual education. Suggested solutions included improving sex education in schools from a younger age.
Occupational identity component 1 part 2Nancy Smith
Nancy Smith has had many occupations that have contributed to her identity, including dancing from a young age and later teaching dance to children, being a wife and mother to seven children, renovating and moving houses frequently, working as a house parent to 17 children in the Northern Territory, home educating her own children, and becoming a Christian in 1990 which remains central to her identity. She is currently seeking to become an occupational therapist and remains active through exercise like running, which she finds important for her physical and mental health.
Sarah Meek was born in Santa Ana, California in 1990 and grew up in Huntington Beach and Mission Viejo. She has a large blended family with seven siblings after her parents divorced and remarried. Sarah enjoys annual family trips and has attended several schools in Orange County. Currently, she works as a server at a restaurant in San Clemente and spends her free time horseback riding.
Pelmo was born in 1939 in Charbang, Bhutan. As a child, he helped his parents with farming and caring for cattle. He had two brothers and two sisters. Pelmo attended a religious school as a boy but did not complete his studies. He married Kuenzang in an arranged marriage according to local customs. Unfortunately, Kuenzang and their daughter passed away at a young age. Though he never remarried, Pelmo had a close relationship with his brother. As an elder in his community, Pelmo participated in cultural and religious traditions over the years and visited many sacred sites. He also provided fortune telling services to others until later deciding to stop the practice.
Yolemis Martinez Acosta was born on April 8, 1990 in Colombia. She comes from a large family consisting of her parents and five siblings. As a child, she grew up attending both church and parties with her family. Now in college studying Spanish and English, Yolemis' daily routine involves waking up early to make breakfast for her housemates before attending her own classes and working on assignments. In the evenings, she talks with her boyfriend on the phone before sleeping.
Shelley Harris introduces herself as a married woman with three children and seven grandchildren who has worked in childcare since 1989. She has experience caring for children from a young age and various qualifications in early childhood education including being a credentialed preschool teacher. She operates a licensed home daycare that provides individual attention, education, and a safe environment to help children reach developmental milestones.
Nick created a portfolio about his personal health history, family, and future aspirations. He interviewed his grandfather who discussed growing up in the 1940s and being generally healthy from playing sports as a kid. Nick's family has a history of cancer on both sides. Currently, Nick is recovering from a back injury which has impacted him physically, socially, and emotionally. He hopes to one day own a home and skydive. Nick is grateful for his 8th grade teacher who prepared him well for high school. In the future, he sees himself working at Vons and continuing his education.
Nick Swafford created a portfolio about his personal health history, family, and future aspirations. He included sections on his name and birth details, a family tree, an interview with his grandfather about growing up healthy, details about his great grandfather who immigrated from Germany, and his family's history of cancer. Nick also provided data on his studying, sleep, technology use, and discussed maintaining balance between his physical, social, and mental health since injuring his back. He expressed gratitude to his 8th grade teacher for preparing him for high school and shared where he sees himself in the future.
This document contains a health portfolio created by Nicholas Swafford. It includes sections about his personal health history, family tree, an interview with his grandfather, information about his great grandfather, and his family health history. It also shares details about Nicholas's fitness, nutrition, sleep habits, social life, and closest friends. The health portfolio provides an overview of Nicholas's physical, mental/emotional, and social health.
C:\Documents And Settings\Emily\My Documents\Personal Health History Project EnsSwafford
Nick Swafford created a portfolio about his personal health history, family, and future aspirations. He included sections on his name and birth details, a family tree, an interview with his grandfather about growing up healthy, details about his great grandfather who immigrated from Germany, and his family's history of cancer. Nick also provided data on his studying, sleep, technology use, and discussed maintaining balance between his physical, social, and mental health since injuring his back. He expressed gratitude to his 8th grade teacher for preparing him for high school and shared where he sees himself in the future.
Shelley Harris has over 30 years of experience working with children. She has a credential as a preschool teacher and worked as a head teacher for the Kedren Head Start program. She loves children and has three of her own, as well as seven grandchildren that she cares for. She has the qualifications, experience, patience and love necessary to provide a warm, stimulating environment for children to learn and grow.
A young girl reflects on how her perception of family changed when her parents divorced when she was 8 years old, coming home from school one day to find her parents having an intense conversation on the balcony that resulted in a family meeting where they broke the news of their separation. The divorce caused her to question if everyone would eventually leave her life, as she had grown accustomed to not seeing her father on a daily basis due to their irregular visitation schedule prior to the divorce.
These children were living on the streets when the author met them and took them in, questioning how they could suffer and die that way. Most of the children supported by the church orphanage lost parents to genocide, disease, or poverty and had no family to care for them. The author was compelled to help after finding children sleeping in the abandoned church, and learning they survived by scavenging from trash. This is how the orphanage began, with the goal of caring for children who would otherwise suffer on the streets.
The document describes the author Kirsten Price's childhood experiences growing up as a missionary's child. She lived in over 27 houses across different countries, including Cuba and Mexico. As a result, she had to change schools frequently and get accustomed to new cultures and languages. Though challenging at times, these experiences allowed her to understand other perspectives and value the religious freedom in the U.S. The author aims to share about her unique upbringing traveling the world with her missionary parents.
1. -WHO AM I-
BY CHRISTINESTEVENS-CULBREATH
My name isChristine Stevens,mostpeople refertome bymy nickname Tina. I currentlylive in
WinchesterVA,and have livedhere forabout7 years.Iwas born inAlexandriaVA,growingupasa kid
was tough. NotonlydidI have strugglesof beinga bi-racial child,butwe livedonSection8Housing
assistance (nota verygoodneighborhood).Iwasraisedbymysingle mother;doingherbesttoraise
three younggirls. My fatherpassedawayfroma drugoverdose whenIwassevenyearsold,andmy
motherturnedto alcohol toself-medicate.Byage 8, I foundmyself helpingmymothercare for mytwo
youngersiblings. Astime passed by, IattendedT.C.WilliamsHighSchool, andthingswere eventougher
for me.Each morningby6 am, momwouldbe off to workat a local hospital.ThismeantthatI would
have to make sure that I got myself andtwosistersreadyforschool,and out of the door for the school
bus, by 8 am.It was a great deal of responsibilityonmyshoulders,atsucha youngage,but I had to do
these thingstokeepmyfamilytogether.Ididn’twantChildServicestosuspectanything, soIhad no
otheroption. Ihad to be sure thatwe were notbe late, or missschool overthe years,andto keepmy
sisterssafe,andfill inwhenmymotherwasinhibited.
I metmy nowhusbandwhenIwas about15 yearsold.He attendedWestPotomacHighschool,in
Alexandria,VA (FairfaxCounty).Mylife turnedaroundforthe bestwhenmymother’sjobrelocatedto
RestonVA.Thingswere lookingup!Newplace tolive,greatneighborhood,slowerpace of life,andby
thistime mymom had cleanedupheract and stoppeddrinking.Before relocating,IfoundoutthatI was
pregnant.We exploredouroptions,anddecided thatevenwithourhardshipsuptothispoint;I would
continue the pregnancy.Isecured ajob at GiantFood Store chain(whichiswhere I am still employed
afterabout 26 years).Byday,I workedhard to graduate, at the BryantCenterwhichisan alternative
school forteen moms;and workedpart-time about20 hoursper weekduringthe night.Myhusband
and I wouldswitchshifts,andmymomalsohelpedwithdaycare atnight.While onmaternity leave, I
continuedvigorouslytostayontasks withmyassignments.Ultimately,Ireturnedtoschool,andearned
my diplomafromSouthLakesHighSchool inReston,VA.
My husbandand I are both graduates,andby age 19, we were the proudparents;raisingtwoboys,and
one girl,(a childfromRodney’spreviousrelationship).Ihadalwayswantedmore for mychildren,sowe
bothvowedto staytogetherandraise our children;inatwo parenthome.Graduatingfromhighschool
was a challenge becauseIwasa teenmomat that time.Ididn’twantto be the stereotype of ateen
mom,not graduatedandrelyingonfinancial assistance toraise herchildren.No,Iwantedbetter;I
workedhardto graduate and continuedontotocollege, tofurthermyeducationfora betterfuture for
our children.
While incollege,myhusbandandIwere notifiedof afamilycrisisandwhere toldthatwe wouldhave
to stepin,and adoptmy sister’stwochildren(aniece andtwonephews).If we declined,the children
wouldbe splitupand adoptedbytwoseparate families;thatwere alreadyapprovedasadoptive parent.
At thistime herchildrenwere about4months, 4 yearsold,andfive years old.Ourthree childrenthat
we were raisinginourhousehold atthat time were just5,7, and 8 yearsold.Remember, Iwasalready
jugglingparentingthreechildren,attendingschool,and workingatthe GiantFood Store chain.The
adoptionagencyadvisedme thatIwouldhave to quitgoingto school inorderto have time to focuson
raisingthe siblinggroup.They alsoadvisedme thatIwouldn’tbe consideredasaqualifyingadoptive
2. candidate otherwise.Initially,we were approvedasfosterparents(forfouryears).We hada rigorous
adoptionprocess,lotsof prying, parentingclasses, therapy, etc.We jumpedthroughmanyhoops,and
finallyfouryearslaterthe adoptionwasfinalized (ittooklongerthanaverage adoptionprocesses
because theywantedtomake sure that we wouldbe able tohandle itall).Combinedwithourbirthkids;
it totaled6 childrenthatwe were raisingatthe age of about 25 yearsoldfor me,and27 yearsoldfor
my husband.Although,Restonhadbecome sodeveloped,andaveryexpensive countytoraise our
familyin;legally,we hadlive inFairfax Countyuntil the adoptionwasfinalized.Whenthe adoptionwas
finalizedwe purchasedasingle familyhome withahuge backyard andlots more space for everyone.
Economicallyitwasgreat,but itwas a culture shockfor the kids.Lookingback,we know that we made
the bestdecision.
Today,five of our six childrenhave graduated;some incollege,mostworking.The youngestwhichwas4
monthsoldat the time,isnow 13, and inmiddle school. Ithas alwaysbeenimportantforme that the
kidsgraduate,andalongthe way,I remindedthem of myhardpath of graduation.Alwaysexpressingto
them, that theyhadNO excusesforfailure otherthanthattheydidn’ttry!We gave themthe toolsto
succeed,andall of the supporttheyneeded!We constantlysharedwiththemwhatmypathto
graduationlookedlike!Iexpectedmore fromthem, especiallybecauseIwasable to reach my goal of
graduationas an at riskteenmom,growingupin a bad environment,inasingle parenthome,helpingto
raise twosiblings,working at15 yearsold,and goingto school,andstill graduate:all atthe same time.I
pride myself onthe accomplishmentsthatIhave made inmy life inordertomake a betterfuture formy
children,andfamily.
Thisroad has notalwaysbeeneasy,andI have scarifiedalot;but itwas all worthit.I beat the odds
againstme. One thingthat can admitis that I alwaystriedmybest,made mistakesalongthe way;butI
nevergave up! My childrenare healthyproductive citizensof society,andIcan say that I hada direct
influencein moldingeachone of them! Eventually,Iwasable returnbackto college once the kidswere
older;butthree yearsago, I wasdiagnosedwithStage 3Breast Cancer.Once again I hadto put my
degree onhold.Atleastfornow….Nomore school at thistime.Ihave beenpresentedwithabigger
purpose inlife.Myattentionhas nowbeenconcentratedinanotherdirection. Thatdirectionistohelp
moldand positivelyinfluence delicate impressionable youth,andcommunities.Mylife isfulfilledwith
my role as the Founderof I’MJUST ME MOVEMENT, and inspiringnotonlythe mindsof youngpeople,
but people asa whole.My passionisencouraging,andreachingothers,throughthe missionof my
organization.