DCFYI

Out of all the things I’ve been labeled, called, or identified as, the term foster child hurt me the most. It was not only what other kids used to call me to humiliate me, but it also carried an ugly stigma of pity as if I was always someone else's responsibility. Ultimately, the message I received from it all was that I was a mistake or that I was unwanted. I entered the foster care system at just one day old when my mother and I both tested positive for drugs.

It took me sometime to pick what I wanted to talk about. I think I want to talk about how foster kids have voices too!! I talked to a lot of kids in the system and it’s sad because they give up on being heard. They feel like no one has their back or is going to be there for them; they give up everything, questioning why they’re still trying.

This four letter word seems to be what everyone tends to seek but just like the formation of a pearl it's rather difficult and doesn't happen by itself. A pearl forms when an unknown irritant - usually a parasite - works its way into a clam’s mouth. As a defense mechanism, a fluid is used to coat the irritant. Layer upon layer of this coating, called 'nacre,' is deposited until a lustrous pearl is formed. To get this pearl one must first search the very depths of the sea to retrieve it. And then wrestle ever so hard to get that clam's mouth open.