This is the fifth segment in our series, Faces of Mental Health, which gives people an intimate look inside of children’s services. To see our latest story, check us out on Facebook at Youth Dynamics of Montana or People of Youth Dynamics every Tuesday and Thursday night at 5:30pm. You can also catch the stories at youthdynamicsmt on Instagram, or Youth Dynamics of Montana on Linkedin.
“I was nine when I entered foster care, now I’m sixteen. I’ve been in the system for almost eight years.
I don’t know much about my little brother, he got adopted and his mom is protective. I don’t blame her. I haven’t talked to him in six years. I want to see my little brother before I move. I want to at least talk to him one more time before I go out of state. I just want to see him before…there is a lot of things I want to do before I leave.
I have never really had a stable life. I never really got to sit down and enjoy my childhood. If people ask, ‘Hey, what was your childhood like?’ I don’t really have an answer. I didn’t really have a childhood. I spent my life packing my bags, moving from place to place, family to family, group home to group home. Heck, I’ve even been to Shodair. It was not easy for me, especially as a young kid. Now that I’m adopted, I don’t have to worry about anyone saying, ‘Hey Jade, pack up your bags, you’re leaving tomorrow morning.’
Now that I’m moving out of state with my mom, at least I know ahead of time. For the first time, I actually want this move. All my other moves have been like, ‘Hey, pack your bags, you’re moving, no questions, do it.’ …I was a kid.”
