“It felt like months of tug-of-war. ’The judge is refusing. You need to be in Texas by Friday.’ Through tears, I called my husband. ‘Looks like we’re headed to Texas.’ I just wanted my boy.”
‘I can have him ready as soon as I need to.’ With shaking knees and wet palms, we froze. Our family was being built.’: Couple adopts two boys from foster care, ‘It was a very easy yes’
‘Your tests came back abnormal.’ I started shaking immediately. It didn’t seem fair. I was terrified of what he’d look like.’: Mom gives birth to baby with Down syndrome, ‘He’s perfect in every way’
“I was hysterical. ‘This can’t be right. I’m 21 years old. I have my whole life in front of me.’ I was afraid it would ruin Christmas. I’ve never cried more in my life.”
‘You look so great! How did you do it?’ All of my validations were coming true, but I wasn’t happy OR healthy. I hardly recognized myself.’: Woman recovers from eating disorder, ‘I love my body’
“In sixth grade, I attended my first Weight Watchers meeting. We counted points and bought ‘low-cal’ foods. I never really hated my body. I wanted to be accepted for who I was.”
‘People said, ‘I’d NEVER choose an older kid.’ We decided to take them permanently. They’re not just ‘damaged goods.’: Family adopt daughter from foster care, ‘I can rest knowing she is loved’
“‘Their current foster home is abusive.’ When we dropped them back off, she yelled at us for giving them haircuts. Most days, it felt like the system simply didn’t care to provide what was necessary. I can rest now, knowing she is loved.”
‘I’ll do it, but just this once.’ Famous last words. My body NEEDED them. I HAD to get high every 6 hours.’: Recovering addict shares sobriety journey, ‘All you have to do is SHOW UP’
“If I didn’t get high within an hour, I’d start throwing up. I’d sit in the bathroom for hours trying to hit. My veins were ruined. My probation officer was calling everyone I knew, threatening to send me to prison. I was at an all-time low.”
‘The doctor pulled her aside. ‘If you don’t take her in, she will go to a group home, and she will die.’ Diagnosed with AIDS, my organs were shutting down. I was 2 years past my death date.’: HIV warrior adopted by sister’s boss after life-long abuse
“CPS told my parents, ‘You cannot drop your kid off at a group home and not come back. If you don’t get her, you will be charged with abuse and neglect.’ My parents didn’t budge. At 14, I was given two weeks to find a new place to live. All I wanted was to be wanted. ‘I believe in you, I love you, you are worth it.’ My sister’s boss took me in.”
‘I’m not disabled! That doesn’t apply to me.’ I was the only one who couldn’t see how ill I truly was. I don’t know how I’m still standing.’: Chronic illness warrior urges ‘you are SO worthy’
“I felt like I had the flu most days. I could never get warm, and I was getting severe migraines. I saw every specialist imaginable. I ended up housebound and bedridden.”
‘Kids, will you follow me up the stairs?’ We walked into his bedroom. I knew something was wrong. ‘Where is Mommy? What happened?’: HIV warrior details journey with grief, trauma
“‘Lexi has AIDS’ was written in graffiti outside my science class. Soon, the whole school knew. I was spit on, constantly told, ‘I hope you die.’ I was tired of fighting. ‘I don’t care if I die anymore.’ Immediately, my stepmother began planning my death party. ‘Enough is enough.’ A family friend took me to the school counselor to repost the abuse at home.”
‘I’m sorry your child has Down syndrome.’ Sorry is the last thing we feel. It’s impossible to imagine life without her.’: Teenager with Down syndrome becomes dancer, model, ‘She’s the best of us’
“The nurse brought her to me. Tears streamed down my face. ‘This is a happy moment. You are going to love this baby!’ Truer words were never spoken. I can’t thank him enough for saying that.”
‘Would you take a second baby?’ Two babies? I had ZERO control over the system. We said yes.’: Mom of 6 details infertility, foster care journey, ‘It’s our honor to love these children’
“They had to ask us three times. He was so tiny I could barely see him through the blankets, but I’ll never forget the moment I looked at this precious, helpless human. To learn of all he had experienced so far… it broke me to the core.”