My name is Hunter, and I want to share my story (shortened, of course) in hopes that it inspires or gives someone hope.
I went into care as a teenager, mainly due to my abusive Father. My mother passed away when I was 11 months old.
After going into care, I was sexually abused by my foster mom. I went through multiple homes and aged out of care. I spent many nights feeling so alone, abandoned, and betrayed. Not only by my dad, but also the others in my family that allowed me to go into care. I will never forget my first night in a foster home. A room full of bunks with a kid I didn’t know staring at me while I listen to my iPod trying to find my safe space in my head.
Today, I hold a bachelor’s degree and a full-time job. I gave the main speech at my graduation ceremony for college. I am now married with 3 beautiful kids, happier than ever.
This is one of my favorite quotes, and I do think it applies to us and the way we should look at our years trying to survive the foster care system :
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel, I promise.
WE can do anything. We are SURVIVORS.
