Exhibit B: Shadow Children

[shanns_ljidol]

When I was a kid I joined a summer youth employment program. Basically they put pre-teens and teens into summer jobs. I was placed at Children's Place. It was a daycare program for kids who had been neglected and abused. Some of them were in foster care, and some had been returned to their parents with the order that they be at the school every day

Comments

[shanns_ljidol]

Thank you, I wonder all the time what happened to these kids. I've tried to find Johnny and Krystal on FB but didn't have any luck. Maybe Johnny got adopted too and they both got new last names. I hope so.

[roina_arwen]

I do secretarial work with Child Protection Services, and I've know (by reputation, not so much face-to-face since I'm not a front line worker) quite a lot of kids who fit these types. I've been in my current job for over 12 years, so I'm starting to see some of the kids coming back in as parents, which is very sad.

Many of the foster parents here will eventually adopt some of the children they foster, which is great. We also have an Extended Commitment program for kids when they turn 18, if they want to stay in the system until age 21 and remain in a foster home or Independent Living situation. Even if they don't extend their commitment, just the fact that they were in foster care guarantees them financial aid with any of the in-state colleges.

(And just FYI, the show is Knight Rider)

[shanns_ljidol]

HA HA I knew I spelled that wrong but I didn't want to lose my train of thought again and then I forgot to change it.

Sounds like you have a better system than what i worked with here. Although it may have improved over the years here as well.

[witches]

LOVED this! And Johnny sounds like a kid who I'd connect with very well. Also, I have endless supplies of mental and physical energy myself and used to watch Night Rider as a small child XD.

I really hope those kids are doing well now. If it wasn't for my mum I could easily have been in the same position as a child, considering my environment and such.

[shanns_ljidol]

I'm so glad that you enjoyed reading. I hope all of my kids got great opportunities and better lives.

[adoptedwriter]

As an adoptee, I feel for these kids. I loved reading this. AW

[shanns_ljidol]

Thank you

[millysdaughter]

**hugs**
Hard to read what sad stories these poor kids were handed in life!

[shanns_ljidol]

It was hard to hear every day. I had nightmares for weeks after the baseball bat incident.