The morning of Mackenzie’s first birthday party, a social worker showed up at our home, and announced that we were being investigated for child abuse. It rocked us to our very core. To make a very long and ugly story short, we were cleared, but because only Sammy was legally adopted, we lost custody of our other two kids.




After we lost the kids, Sammy began a very horrible downward spiral. Another trauma had been added to his life, and yet another loss. His anger increased, and the level of violence was out of control. We tried anger management classes, and counseling, and the usual thing that parents go through. Out of desperation, I called the kids social worker, and she gave me the number of an attachment therapist.

It was one of the best days of our lives. Finally someone understood. Things began to make sense, and the guilt I had about not being able to parent Sammy began to lift. It did not solve all of our problems. We have still had a psychiatric hospitalization, 2 residential treatment centers, numerous contacts with the police, and all sorts of other drama.

However, we began to understand how the trauma impacts kids, and how deep the wounds of the kids go.

My need for information led me to the Attachment Disorder Network and I signed on as a volunteer. I never want a parent to go through what we did, or to have to wait 5 years for treatment. I don’t want kids to ever have to suffer more than they already have.

I have heard virtually every story there is to hear about child abuse. While it still breaks my heart, I look at things differently now, and try to figure out how to help the kids and the parents. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be doing this with my life, but I absolutely love it. I have met incredible people who are now some of my dearest friends, and have seen kids progress, and be able to let their parents love them.

I was physically, emotionally and sexually abused as a child. This is my way of giving back to the kids, and the parents.

Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version (NIV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.