Alexandra F./ You have the right to come out strong

Alexandra talks about her biggest challenge she faced in foster care. She speaks on learning to understand that as uncomfortable the situation was for her twin sister and her that it was never their fault.

Navigating the foster care system, one of the most difficult parts she faced in the foster care system was not getting to be with her parents, living with weird people.

" Foster youth should know ultimately they get to chose how everything has affected them."

She wish more people understood that the instability of bouncing around so much at a young age ,not being with her parents made her always feel alone. She would like to see more knowledge and acceptance in the community, more community support from all schools, cities, and even outings.

She speaks on the barriers she faced when it came to school and the foster care system. She wish her foster parents better supported and taught her how to deal with her issues better with out blaming for being in their space. Allow her and her sister to be included in activities with their family. Dealing with mental and physical health issues, due to so much stress. She wish she didn't feel so alone so she would’ve been able to reach out for help.

As she reflects on her foster care journey, she identifies comfort in reading and being able to visit her parents, She have always enjoyed walking and playing sports.

Her life in the foster care system the holidays could be difficult because they just wanted to be included but also with their own family. They didn’t just want supervised visit with their parents and foster parents, it was sad sometimes.
Looking back she is most proud of how they always pushed through, they didn’t have a choice. However, they still had some good times. She glad from the outside looking in they were just normal kids.

"They have the right to come out strong, with a Patrice mind that their past doesn’t have to affect their future.."

She envisions herself hopefully in her own apartment, close to her sisters , and taking care of her mom with a new car. Her goal in life is to be happy and free, in all aspects of her life. To be healthy and live for a long time, watch the generations of my family grow.