Ten, the age where ‘tweens’ are made, but you don’t feel like a kid at all. In fact you feel old before your time, aware that while everyone around you are the ‘kids’ they deserve to be, you’re trapped in the body of someone much older. Too young to handle responsibility but you have seen more of life than people twice your age have ever experienced and yet society still treats you like a kid. You feel damaged and broken from years of physical and emotional abuse, groomed by the woman who your father chose to call his wife. Soon you will forget to be honest with the ones that you love and care about and start telling lies, to protect yourself from the reality that you know you are living. The lies start off small but before you know it you can’t stop the words from forming and venturing out into open. After all it was a way of getting the attention that you had never got before. But still at ten years old you think you have found your paradise, welcomed into the arms of your new foster mum and taken from the abusive childhood you thought you would never escape…
January, 2005
Your bruised inside and out, the saviors who had claimed to save you in Madeira last month had still not come and you were almost starting to forget that escape would be possible. Every night you get home from school wondering what verbal lashing you would get next and despite the scars, the bruises, the cuts it is the words that hurt the most. You almost become desensitized to the blows but the words ring like gun shots… it hurts. Your mother stopped calling a long time ago and your stepmum tries to stop your aunty from seeing you too, but unlike the others she never gives up on you not once. Your dad stands by and watches the woman who he married in secret, who he fell in love with at first sight abuse his first born child. Don’t you remember when it was just me and you dad, just the two of us, we didn’t need anyone else because we had each other. When did you stop seeing me as your first born child, when was the exact moment when she became the most important person in your life? You let her do things to me that no child, no person should ever have to face and I faced it alone without your support. Believe me, I’m not angry, not now at least. It’s buried in the past but I hope that no child should ever have to learn the lesson that I did aged 10; tooth fairies don’t exist, Santa Claus is not real and the only thing worse than being abused is knowing that the ones who were meant to ‘love and protect you’ were the ones who committed the crime in the first place. I was abused from the age of six, an age of supposed ‘innocence’ but the only innocence I knew was my own stupid naivety. I was born whole, but I became broken and it took me over a decade to be ‘okay with my past’ move on and be able to live in the present. 10 years is a hell of a long time but I am not sorry that I was abused because it taught me to show compassion and empathy towards others.
When I was finally taken into care aged 10, I was a broken mess and I felt lost. I didn’t know how to love and the only way I knew how to show it was by testing my foster families boundaries. I lied, cheated and stole and did things that I am not proud of doing. I messed up big time but my foster mum never stopped loving me, not once. Aged 10 I pretended that I was stronger than I was, more grown up than I wanted to be and above all took on a character that wasn’t me. Abuse had changed me and I didn’t like the person I was becoming. Even thinking about the things I did and the things that I lied about makes me ashamed but I can’t change my past and I don’t want to. My stepmum abused me because I wasn’t her own child, my dad watched and did nothing because he was scared of E, my stepmum and I was the child who ‘cried wolf’ when social services dropped charges the first time aged 7 on the account of ‘E’ being let off for good behaviour but she hadn’t changed, not one bit. She was still the same abusive ‘maternal figure’ who groomed me into becoming her personal Cinderella. I was made to watch as she would feed her daughter and not me, be forced to lie and have her claim that it was all my fault and I would take my beatings with tears in my eyes as she threatened me night after night, day after day.
But then one day my savior came and that January of 2005 became a turning point in my life, I was finally taken into care by my foster mum J. She welcomed me with gifts and introduced me to the rest of her family; her twin T, her daughter K, her son D and her Mum W who showered me with the affection and love that my wounded heart craved. But I was still hurting inside so I lashed out, often as even at aged 10, when I was making the transition into secondary school I found that I still longed to be a carefree 5 year old who still saw the world through rose tinted glasses. I wanted to feel the wind run through my hair and not worry about what the future may hold but it was too late and the spell was broken. We fought a lot my foster mum and I and I used to get annoyed that she would impose a bedtime or stop me from going out late but I know now that this is what real parenting is. She wasn’t doing it to be ‘strict’ or mean but it was because she loved me and wanted to show me that real families impose boundaries, even if you don’t necessarily agree with them. I used to focus so much on the negatives in my transition into care that I airbrushed all the good that came from going into care. At 10 years old I was a damaged soul and only escaped by the skim of my teeth. If I stayed any longer… well I would be dead- either from her or from me, lord knows she tried before. I was suffering from long-term PTSD and had no idea that I had it at the time but going into a warm, fuzzy home where I would be fed, clothed and sheltered helped me become the woman that I am today. I am not perfect, not now, not ever but one thing that I do know is if I didn’t go into care when I did, then my life would have panned out a lot differently than it has done today.
Going into care enabled me to receive the support I needed in school, going into care taught me how to be part of a family but most of all care taught me that to love does not mean you have to be in love but that love comes in all shapes and sizes, even if that love is platonic. Because the greatest love that I ever found was not ‘romantic’, but platonic from people who cared about me enough to punish me when I had made mistakes and shower me in love when we were at our most happiest. I don’t know many people in the care system but regardless of what age you are when you go into care, the outcome will hopefully always be the same; to find a family that loves you for you, no matter how broken you are.
Have You Ever Been In Care Or Know Anyone That Has Been In Care?
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I really feel for you and can’t imagine the true hell you were forced to endure. I have a 10 year old and he is so little – doesn’t bear thinking about 🙁
This is such a brave post! I went into care at the age of 12 due to a family breakdown. It was the hardest and most traumatic learning curve ever but I came out of the other side shining. When I was 16 I was a mess, I’d been with 32 foster homes/care home, quit school with no qualifications, was in with the wrong crowd etc. I always blamed the care system. Then the penny dropped… this was my chance! I knew I had the strength and I knew I was a determined soul. I decided to use being in care as a positive learning curve and bounce back bigger and better than every. I got a home, a job, a car and later a boyfriend. We’ve since got a dog and set a date for our wedding. I went through the most awful times in care but I’m grateful for every single one of them as I now know I am what, I know my strengths, my weaknesses and most of all I knew negatives can be turned into positives. Thanks so much for sharing your story!
I always feel so emotional after reading your story about abuse. I wish no child would ever have to go through that kind of childhood but unfortunately, there are people like you who do. I hope nothing but happiness for you and although you were saved a little late, I’m glad that you were finally removed from that household at age 10.
I can’t help but think of all of the angels and kind hearted souls that make up the care system. My first husband was an alcoholic and abuser. I stayed far too long .. and it had profound effects on my children. From the age of 15 until 22 my son was an addict. He floated between treatment centers until eventually becoming a ward of the state. Every time he came home from treatment .. he used again .. was a danger to himself and disruptive in every way. The people we encountered during those years were some of the kindest .. most thoughtful I’ve ever met. They truly cared about him as a person and us as a family. If I hadn’t have had the safety net .. I’m convinced he wouldn’t be alive today. Those years of sheer hell have left lifelong marks not only on him .. but also on myself. I’m convinced there’s an empathy that only comes after one has walked through the darkness .. not sure if you’re going to make it to the other side. It never leaves you. I have to believe we’re better for it.
This feels so personal sharing, but beautiful. When I was six, my num took in a foster kid and I remember it being difficult for here to blend. Its been 18 years now and we are still a family….
Ana, to be 100% honest with you, this post made me cry. It’s really courageous of you to write a post like this and share it with us, so thanks very much for doing so. It must have been incredibly difficult for you, having to put your walls up and act like a warrior despite feeling the complete opposite inside. x
Lots of love,
Marina Rosie xx
http://marinawriteslife.blogspot.fr/
My heart goes out to all the children, and there are so many, who experience the kind of abuse you went through. Even worse is hearing all the cases of abuse by foster parents. It takes a lot to survive the kind of childhood you had, Ana.
I have never been in care and other than a friend who was adopted as a newborn I don’t know anyone who has. My heart always goes out to you when I read your posts. I’m so pleased you were placed in such a loving, caring home that turned your life back around x
Wow love, this is such a heartfelt post. It really gave me the shivers. You should be amazingly proud of yourself for coming so far! You are one wonderful lady and I wish you all the best for your future!
xxx Elena
http://www.elenazahir.com
What a personal post! I always get so much from reading posts like this that show what someone has been through in the past.
Thank god you were able to get out. Some kids never do….
Oh, and your step mother is going to burn in hell for what she did to you.
I’m so sorry to read this post and everything you went through at such a young age, it’s heart-breaking ! You’ve clearly overcome a lot and you should be very proud of that 🙂
I have never been in care or knowing anyone who has. It sounds like your foster mum was a lovely lady who cared for you. You should be so proud of yourself for going through all of that and turning your life around and becoming who you are now. xx
It pains me to read things like this, thinking about my own daughter and wondering how people can do things to such a young, innocent child!
Wow – that dress and those shoes look stunning. Your wardrobe must be absolutely brimming with beautiful clothes. I haven’t known anyone taken into care but my husband was brought up in an abused household until his mum had to flee and hide out in safe houses. What’s that they say…what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger? I get the feeling Ana that you’re any amazing strong, independent woman. You should be proud of how far you’ve come.
It is such a brace and heartfelt post. Really gave me chills! I can only imagine what it is like to be in a care!
This is such a brave post, thank you for sharing this. I cannot imagine how hard this must have been for you. You seem to have become a very brave and strong woman.
No child or anyone deserves to be treated the way you’ve been through. This is a heartbreaking story but thankfully you came out shining and inspiring others!
I can’t even imagine. My daughter is 10, and it’s tough to think of her going through any of this. I’m so sorry you did, but I am glad you are brave enough to share your story.
My heart broke reading this post. I’ve read previous posts, I knew that your father’s wife (I don’t want to call her “stepmother”, she doesn’t deserve any definition that includes the word “mother”), wasn’t treating you well, but in this post, I got the whole picture. It felt like a punch on my stomach. Oh, girl, I am so, so sorry you had to go through all that. You are a hero! You survived and you became a successful person. Leave the past to the past and keep on being great.
I do know a fair amount about care and was looked after by foster parents for 4 years. I returned to help them look after children coming into care and have retained relationships with many of those children. This was a heart-breaking read but so glad that you found such a good foster mum. You have overcome a huge amount and no one can take that strength away from you.
This was quite emotional to read. I don’t know anyone personally who has gone into care, but i think you have come really far and are doing brilliantly, especially with your blog x
I’m really sorry you had such a difficult childhood, but I’m glad you found such a supportive and caring foster family. Well done to you for coming out the other side of it.
I so sorry that you had to go through this at such a young age, such an emotional post. I find you such an inspirational person, someone who has overcome so much x
Wow! I am so sorry you went through that! I couldn’t even begin to imagine the pain you must have felt. However, I am so glad you found a great family!
Wow, sounds like you’ve been through a lot in life! Glad to hear that you came out at the end of it all, no doubt a stronger person! All the best to you!
No, I’ve never personally known anyone in care before, but now I know that you have and have learned a little bit more about your history. I couldn’t imagine having to deal with “grown up” feelings such as these during the age when I was so carefree.
I am so glad that you were able to get out of that situation when you did. I can’t imagine a child going through whatever hell you went through.
Your foster Mum sounds like an amazing woman. And you. You are a very strong and lovely woman from the inside (and outside). Stay strong and keep up the amazing posts.
the best thing is Time changes everything. All the life experiences add up and make you more mature is what i feel..
You are so brave and have been through so much! This is so important for others to read and to get active though, we need to help those children who need us!
I imagine it was a hard time in your life but it has molded you into the woman you are today. I love this blush pink dress.
I work very closely with children from abusive families and their stories just tear you up inside. It is really brave of you to come out and talk about your story through your blog. I has inspired me and I hope it inspires many others.
I always love reading your blog posts, because they are so honest and real. It was heart breaking to read this post, but I am so glad to see all that you have overcome and that you have found family. Thank you for sharing this! Also, I loveeee your dress in the pictures and you are so pretty!
I am horrified at thinking what you have gone through. I have a kid 1.5 years old… It’s devastating to me to know such things can happen with kids.
I am sorry, I am just at loss of words at this. But thanks for showing the courage to share your story.
What an emotional post. I’m so glad that being taken into care worked out for you in the end. Your foster mum sounds like an amazing lady. A girl I was at primary school with was taken into care when I told the teachers what she had told me. I beat myself up about it for a long time but I hope it was a positive for her in the end and her life improved. It’s almost 30 years ago now and I still wonder what happened to her.
I know of some people who were taken into care at a early age who I was at school with but luckily for them it was only a small amount of time until a family member was in a position to get them. Going into care is not an ideal situation for anyone but its good to hear that despite the horrors that were put in your path your finding a way to clear them and enjoy your life.
What an amazing story. I’m so sad you went through all that and so happy you were able to survive and thrive. Thank you for sharing your story.
Oh Ana, this broke my heart, as many of your posts do. You are such an amazing person, so supportive and loving and kind, and it is so sad to think that you had none of that given in return until such a late age. I am so glad that you were able to find a Foster Mother who loved you, it must have been terribly hard to let down your walls and allow not only someone to love you, but you to love them in return. Thank you so much for sharing. xxx
I’ve never been in care and I can’t imagine how it feels for the child and what is even going through their mind. Very brave and beautiful for sharing this story.
This is such a great post, it’s really great that you’ve managed to open up about this.
This was such a heart breaking post to read. I feel so sorry for you having to go through all of that as a child. I have been considering becoming a foster carer for a number of years and your post has given me the motivation to look into it further.
What a powerful, emotional read
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Touching story and very brave of you to share a personal story of your childhood. I can’t imagine what you went through.
Wow I’m soo pleased that you decided to share this and I’m sure it will encourage everyone who read it. 💙💙💙keep shining 😘
Thank you so much lovely that really means a lot, thank you for reading.I hope my story can help others who have been in a similar situation xxx
Such a personal story to share with us, thank you – You have come so far from those darker days.
I’m so sorry that you had to go through such a harrowing time, it’s awful to think that anyone thinks it’s okay to treat anyone let alone a child in that way. I’m so glad you found a way out and were placed with a loving family who helped bring you out of that dark hole. So brave of you to tell your story!
This is such a personal and brave post! You have been through so much but you did really well! Well done for having the courage to write about it!
I have a friend that was put into care at age 12. It is so sad that like your situation she was not removed earlier. She was lucky and was placed into a good home where she thrived. It was challenging at first while she adjusted to life with boundaries and rules.
This was such a powerful and emotional and inspiring post. Your experience was absolutely tragic yet you turned it into beautiful strength. My heart goes out to you a million times.
It makes me so sad to know that there are people in this world who treat children like this. I don’t even call them parents because parenting is not what they are doing. In sorry you had to go through this but glad you have overcome it like you have.
I haven’t been in care. I have read about people who have been in it and it was a rescuing from the horrible situation that he was in. I am glad that you were able to get out from where you were and to find people that love you. It’s horrible that your dad would treat you as an afterthought when he went with someone else. I know that it’s something I have thought about a lot when dating. I want to make sure that my daughter never has to feel that she is an afterthought.
Caring for someone can be challenging, both emotionally and physically. It can also be a rewarding experience. However, from time to time carers may need some extra help and support.
Thank you for sharing your story.. I can’t imagine myself or my children experiencing all those things but I know and I can feel that you are so strong and I admire you! Sending lots of love.
You’re a trooper. Wishing you luck and good vibes!
What an accomplishment!Keep pressing forward & good job!
XOXO
This is the kind of story that breaks me into pieces and makes me angry at the same time. Children are the innocent ones and I hate to hear when adults take advantage of it in the most cruel way. I can’t even imagine the hell you went through. I wish you didn’t have to go through it all. You’re incredible, not only brave and strong but also very sensitive, delicate and kind- don’t you ever change! And don’t ever be ashamed of anything, it’s your so-called ‘family’ who should be ashamed. I just hope they regret everything now at least. Nobody deserves a fraction of what they did to you love. Stay strong! Xx
You are very brave for sharing your story and I will always admire you for this. I think your aunt’s love knows no bounds, because she never gave up on you. I’m glad that you never gave up on living as well. You’re a strong person, Ana. And I hope that you continue to shine!
Your story is heartbreaking, no child should experience what you went through. It’s not the childhood that children deserve and yet, here you are living proof that life is cruel sometimes. But you’re also proof that life gets better and that there’s always rainbow after the rain.
Such a tough start for you but I am glad you found your foster mum, she sounds like a wonderful lady
Oh my goodness darling this had me in tears what a brace post from such a beautiful woman x
Thank god you were taken into care and the social services actually started to listen. I don’t know anyone who has been in this situation x
I’ve never been into care or know anyone who has but what an honest and heartfelt post. You’ve really come so far since then x
I’m sorry to hear about your tough upbringing! You must be really brave to share it.
Sorry you have been through this horrendous past. My neighbour takes in foster children and they all have such a dreadful past that it staggers me in this day and age there are parents like that. Hopefully you are now dealing well with the issues of the past and moving on to happier times
I couldn’t imagine what you had to go through. I have always felt so deeply for foster children. Since I haven’t been able to be a foster parent myself, I decided to volunteer as a Guardian Ad Litem and speak up for Foster kids. It is heartbreaking what so many have to go through, and no kid deserves to feel that way.
I am so sorry for what you have been through. You are an amazing woman today 🙂
I have a little foster brother, he will soon be turning 11 but been living with us since he was a little 3 year old. Time certainly flies!
You have lived such an intense life. It is amazing how strong yet vulnerable you are. Foster care is something I am very passionate about and I’m glad you are opening up about your experiences.
Although, I cant personally feel what you felt, I understand. We had two people that my family ended up taking care of. They were happy to have us but you could tell they missed what they knew as home and there family.
Thank you for sharing your stories. I can’t even imagine what you went through. I hope now you live your life to the fullest.
I don’t really know what to say or how to feel about this post. It angers, and saddens me at the same time. I’m glad you were able to find you ‘love’. Family love is so important.
What you have been through is so tough and I am so glad you found your foster mother. You’re such a strong lady x
I can’t imagine what it must be like to go through such trauma at such a young age. I know 2 children who were in care and were abused during this time. Luckily, they found new situations and were adopted by two loving parents who are helping them get past their past.
Being a foster parent must be so hard, because you know the children that are put into your care are suffering from whatever back ground they came from. It sounds like your foster mum was the perfect lady to help you and although you acted out she understood and didn’t judge you for it.
I am sorry to read you had such a difficult upbringing. I can’t even imagine how hard it must have been. You are so strong and brave!
I can’t imagine what it must have been like. But I’m so glad you got the help you needed and all the love and support that you needed.
Both my adopted children have experienced foster care. Their last carer was amazing, without her I wouldn’t have my two amazing children. I just want to say you have done so amazingly well. So many kids who have been in care find life so hard to deal with. With my two we are still dealing with issues from their early life trauma. You are an amazing, strong woman – don’t ever forget that. TMx
My gosh, you had such a difficult childhood, but I’m so glad that you found someone who truly cared for you once you were in the care system. It seems that all you have been through has shaped the woman you are today. What an inspiration!
Sorry to hear that you had to go through such an event at such a young age… However, I happy you have worked through all the hurt throughout the years and that you continue to do so till this day… (you’re story is powerful and I’m sure will help and touch the readers!) I’m happy your foster mom was so good to you and gave you the unconditional love you’ve wanted and that the rest of the family accepted you and cared for you as well. I have a step family that treats me like I’m their bloodline… it’s a wonderful feeling!
take care!
That got me so emotional for real… I don’t know what to say.. I knew a girl in my school when I was like 14 that she was from Syria and she had really strict parents.. She had lots of bruices.. The teacher talked with her parents about her abuse and the result was even more abuse… In the end the whole school communicated with the care and now she is happy as far as I know ♥
xoxo My Life as Foteini/ Foteini Karagianni ♥
Ana, you are a brave, beautiful woman. I cannot imagine what life was for you. At such a young age, you had to go through so much! Anyway, there is nothing we can do because the past is past, and I am happy that you emerged victorious. Although I know, every pain, every hurting word is still embedded in your sub-conscious. You are a fighter, a very good example to young ones to never quit. There is always light at the end of the tunnel. Hugs!
I’m so sorry you were abused. Glad you were able to become free from it and get care you needed and deserved. I used to work at a daycare and we had several kids in foster care. Foster care helped them so much too. I’m glad we have programs and places to help.
Sorry to hear that, very emotional post, glad you found a great foster mum
Omg this is such a deep post! I couldn’t help being distracted by your outfit posts in between the text. Gorgeous outfit! You are so brave.
Love,
Ivelisse | CarnationDreams.com
I’m so sorry you had to go through that. No child deserves to have their childhood taken away from them. Maybe the only silver lining to what you experienced is at least you found a family that did show you love and compassion, what it really means to be a family.
This post is so sad. I am sorry that you had to go through like this. You were brave that you shared with us. You should be proud of yourself:) Wish you all the best:)
Oh Ana, the tween years are difficult under any circumstances. But going through all that… I just can’t imagine 🙁
I really feel for you going through that, it’s got to be so hard to go through these things. The one good thing out of it, that it makes you a stronger person!
I can’t even begin to imagine what you went through at such a young age! I wish noone had to endure that!
My best friend in high school (and to this day, even though we don’t talk as much) went into the system in her tween years. When I met her at 15 until she came of age, she went through three different homes. It was hard on her. I’m so glad you found the right family!
You’ve gone through so much but you are such a strong woman! Go girl <3
Such an honest, open and emotional post. Sad to hear this 🙁 However, great that you share for others who have gone or going through the same 🙂 xx
Such a beautiful and personal post, im glad you found your angel. I have a friend who fosters and adopts and she is the most giving loving person i can ever have the pleasure of knowing.
I love this post and your so amazing and brave girl to share your story with us, This makes you strong.
Wow, I feel like I’ve been reading your blog for awhlie and didn’t know this about you. I’m amazed how far you’ve come on conquering what happened. Your story can definitely inspire so many!
Oh my goodness, this is heart breaking to read. I am so thankful for my childhood. You are an awesome lady. Kaz x
It is so brave for you to post what you have been through. That is a lot for a ten year old to take in and experience. I know it is what made you the strong person that you are now.
What a beautiful personal post. Abuse is never the child’s fault and sadly some never experience the same mature feelings you now have about your childhood. Your foster family sounds wonderful.
Omg, this is so horrible! No child should ever have to suffer abuse. It’s such a sad world. I’m so happy for you that you got lucky and was taken into a loving family.
I’m so sorry to hear that you went through all this at such an early age in your life! As there is always a shining ray after darkness, your foster mom looks like a real angel in your life. I’m sure she would be very proud of all your accomplishments in life!
You are such a brave lady, gorgeous! Thank you for sharing your story xx
I’m so sorry you had such an awful upbringing. Your stepmum sounds like a vile human being, but with help from your amazing foster mum, you’ve turned into a strong, brave, inspirational woman.
Every post of yours moves me so much. Well done you for writing this, you’re so brave xxx
you are doing an amazing job! I love this article. Great enlightenment on this. Thank you for sharing!
i was in foster care from a few months old until i was adopted at age 7. some was good but some very very bad. very brave post.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It was very brave of you to be so open.
Wow your story is so heartwarming. Good to hear it’s all better now. I absolutely love your outfit and shoes!
Thanks for sharing your personal story. My brother went into care and although it’s hard was probably the best and healthy thing for him. I wish that every parent can be the parent they’re supposed to be but I guess the world doesn’t work like that. I agree, experiencing a genuine platonic love is very important especially before you can express or receive any other type of love. Thanks again for being brave and sharing <3
Reading your story just breaks my heart, especially as a mother I cannot image how someone could do that to an innocent child.
I know however that this has made you the strong beautiful compassionate woman that you are now! xxx
I have no personal story to share but it is good to know you overcame all these things that would have broken you.
You are such a warrior lovely! Despite being through such an awful ordeal, you used your strength to rise above and not let it beat you. You are such a beautiful person inside and out! Keep sparkling 🙂 x
I feel for you. I have a friend who has been through the same as you, and she is one of the most amazing people I have met in my life. I know that it is hard, but I think that once you learn to stand on your two feet there is nothing you cannot conquer in life!
It is such a brace and amazing post. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I can only imagine what it is like to be in a care!
I am so glad you had someone that took you in and loved you. My oldest son is 10 and I couldn’t imagine the hurt he would feel if he was in your shoes. I was about 11/12 when I went into foster care for 3 months and it definitely damaged me for a while, partially because the foster homes I was in were actually worse than my regular home. Having certain experiences makes us stronger and who we are today though.
Ana, you are such a strong person and so brave to share your story! xo
How people can abuse a child or sit back and watch a child be abused is beyond most of us. It must have been unbearable for you and it was very brave to share your story. People like to turn a blind eye and pretend it abuse happen, not really. Luckily there are families out there like your foster family who do their best to help people like yourself put their abuse behind them.
Growing up I knew some children who were in foster care but was too young to really understand what it was all about. As an adult, I had a friend who grew up in care, but still had a loving relationship with his Mum. Sadly circumstances meant she couldn’t look after children. It was sad.
Thank you for sharing your story and for linking up with the #MMBC.
XX
I have never been in foster care, but I have heard plenty of bad stories about it. Thankfully, you found a good foster mom!
What a beautiful dress you are wearing. I remember being ten and feeling older than I actual was.
Your personal posts always make me so emotional!! I can’t imagine how you must have felt at aged 10 going into care its awful, its something that breaks my heart as I look at my own children! You have come so far Ana!
If I am honest, it has taken me a few days to actually prepare myself and my demons for reading this post. I am now sitting at my desk reading and thinking about you and I have tears in my eyes, not because I am sad, but for how strong and caring and loving you are and I have not even meet you yet! Roll on sunday. xx
Your story has really touched me, you always speak with depth and tell it as it is. I used to be friends with a boy in care, I never really knew why because I didn’t really understand.
You never know what people are going through. I commend you for overcoming and sharing your story.
No one should have their childhood ripped away from them like this. These sound like such scary times, but you become stronger because of it. I avoided going into care growing up, but I wasn’t particularly wanted at home either
Yours is such a sad yet heartwarming story. I have a 10yo that I cannot imagine leaving with anyone else. Your foster mum was an incredible lady.
You’ve gone through so much! Very brave of you to open up, I love reading your posts. Thanks for sharing with all your readers <3
You are very strong Ana! It always amazes reading your posts! I personally don’t know anyone personally in care… but I am studying something similar in college and had the chance to help few people while I was in practice! <3
Thank you for sharing your story and giving us such a wonderful insight into your life. I have always wanted to adopt and this just gave me the inspiration I needed.
XO, MJ
http://www.lush-fab-glam.com
Wow this is heartbreaking. I am so sorry for what you had to go through when you were young. You look so strong now and thank you for sharing your story so others might be able to relate and feel like they are not the only ones.
How you managed to go through all of that, and come out the other side of it. Thank you for sharing it with us. xx
I am always in awe of your story since you have experienced so much and share your story so honestly with us!
Oh wow. I am so loving those shoes and that outfit. You look absolutely gorgeous. <3
Such an interesting read, thank you for sharing your story. After university I started working in schools – temp jobs in nurseries then a librarian in a primary school – and I saw things I will never forget. Where I live there isn’t much in the way of child protection yet, it’s coming but it’s patchy and it all depends on who you are, there are a lot of big name families people are too scared to touch.
A boy in year 6 was encouraged by his father to beat his mothers and his sisters by his coked up father who had a mistress on the side who was pregnant with twins (and people used to wonder why this kid would throw hectic tantrums in school!) but we could do very little to help him because of who his father is.
It broke my heart every time he came into the library at lunchtime and we would sit and talk, I’m not a counselor, I don’t know if the things I said to him helped but I hope that even the fact that he would come find me when he was having a bad day and ask if we could talk made him feel better. Leaving kids like him was the hardest part of leaving that job, he came and hugged me so tightly on my last day I thought he’d break my ribs!
I will forever admire the people who have come out the other side of difficult situations and have used those experiences to grow, you sharing your story I’m sure makes others in similar situations feel hopeful and supported and inspire people to help and to care about the things that go on around them.
Such a heartwarming read. And as always, you look flawless!
you are so brave! Hats off to you.
I have also been a victim of child abuse but could never speak up or fight against it, and I am so glad you did!
This post made me cry,really. But also made me smile to see you bounce back and take control of your life. This was really inspiring.
Keep smiling.
With love, Halima
What a beautiful and heartfelt post! It ,unfortunately, is true that a lot of step-parents are abusers. I usually hear bad and scary things about Care, so it was really great to read your positive story about it.
It isn’t nice for anyone to go though something like this. Thank goodness for your foster it sounds like she really did have a positive effect on your life.
That was such a sad emotional read of all the abuse which started at the tender age of 6years. How can someone like our own dad see all this and decide to stay quiet? Really strange but i was happy that your foster mum loved you and got a life you deserved, full of gifts, care, love.
This story hurts my heart. I see a loss of innocence at such a young age. But, I also see a strong woman who found love and humanity. I know this must have been difficult to write, even more difficult to share with us.
I’m so sorry you had to endure so much as a child, but I’m glad that amazing people were put into your life through foster care. I’m a foster mom and always trying to figure out my little ones’ behaviors. Thank you for sharing your story.
I am sorry you went through all that. But I am so happy that you were able to overcome and use your trauma to become the beautiful and amazing woman that you are today. I enjoy your blog very much. You have such a unique insight into the world. It is so refreshing. Thank you for being you!
Your story is so moving and yur writing so raw and real! I feel for you and hte little girl you were back then. My son is now almost 10 and I cannot even imagine the things you had to go through in such young age 10. Ten year olds are still little kids, babies really. Stay strong girl!
I am sorry that you’ve experienced this hell.
surely you are a strong and powerful person.
god bless you and all the very best to achieving so much success in your life.
You are so strong and brave. This post brought me to tears. I am glad that you were removed from that awful situation at 10. I understand that it will be a lifelong journey of healing. Your sharing will help others. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you for sharing! So powerful!
Great post
Wow this is heartbreaking but you have overcome it all. Thanks for sharing your story.
This is so sad but what you went through made you the strong woman that you are now. Beautiful, strong, and independent! I admire your strength! You are beautiful inside and out!
I’m so glad that you have found writing/blogging! I’m sorry for what you went through, but I know that others have as well- and reading this will be such an encouragement.
Stay strong and keep writing!
Thank you for sharing your story. I had some similar things happen. It definitely molds you as an adult and then you have to figure out why you are the way you are and then remold yourself with intension. You are a strong beautiful woman who is an amazing entrepreneur.