Sandy A. / You have the power of your own outcomes.

"You have the power of your own outcomes." Sandy A. shares her story for #SpeakUp.

Some challenges I faced in the foster care system was that I had to accept that my life changed and that I had to adapt to that change quickly. The first foster home I was placed into I felt lost and confused about what I should do and how I should act in someone else’s home, especially since it was so different than my home. I also had to make new friends at school every time and I never made a real connection with my peers.

My advice to anyone in the system now is to be strong and to realize that you have the power of your own outcomes. Some struggles seem too hard to overcome, but that does not mean they are impossible. I would also advise getting informed of all the resources that are available to them to make it easier to face the struggles they are facing or going to face.

Foster care taught me that life is not as easy as it seems. I am a stronger person now and will tackle challenges in a better more resourceful way. As a twelve-year-old in the foster care system, I did not realize I myself had to have my own back and although I had foster parents and a social worker, I still was the only one who really knew what I was going through and stood by me.

Emancipating from foster care is a big change and the most important thing I feel that people need is resources to help that transition. Although, I know there is some in place I feel that they should be introduced at an earlier age to help them adapt.