Part III: Moving forward From Trauma
Click here to read Part I
Click here to read Part II
Thank you for following the journey of Jake, Anna, and Alice as they worked to heal from trauma to feel safe and supported in their new home.
After years of dealing with abandonment, neglect, and loss, consistent support from their therapist, McReynolds, and their foster dads, the Turners, has helped them believe that they are safe. But that doesn’t mean Savio’s work is done.
“The important thing to understand about trauma is that it impacts everyone differently. Each child needs to know that those in their life are going to invest effort into supporting and addressing their experiences individually and continually.”
The family recently had a hearing to finalize the children’s adoption. The Turners thought the adoption would relieve any lingering fear the children had. Instead, they’re learning that although adoption is a huge step, they need to continue proving they will do whatever it takes to support the children and heal their trauma.
For Alice, this means showing her that she is just as important as her siblings and that her relationship with her parents is unique and all her own. Alice’s behavior had been less disruptive than her siblings, so she usually got less attention. Now, her dads are working to make sure she feels special. Their efforts are taking hold—recently, Alice was very excited to share with McReynolds that her Barbie had her own bedroom for the first time and how important that meant her Barbie was.
For Anna, the Turners are helping her understand why they need to enforce rules and boundaries from time to time. Due to her experience of receiving disproportionate responses from her biological parents to anything she did, she did not respond well to discipline, even gentle discipline. To help show her that they would always try to set consistent and realistic expectations for her, the Turners invited her to help plan a trip that she would take with one of her dads.
This trip served as a metaphorical contract between her and her adoptive parents, they would always support her, and she would always do her best in school and work towards being kinder towards her siblings. She was involved in every aspect of the planning. And her adoptive parents used this to demonstrate that they were not going anywhere and would always follow through on what they said they would do.
For Jake, the Turners are showing him there is always someone on his side. They are supporting his journey to understand his traumatic experiences and consider connecting with members of his birth family.
Although Jake feels very protective of letting them back into his younger sisters’ lives, he has decided that when he is 18, he would like to try and reconnect with members of his biological family. Although Jake’s adoptive parents are scared that he will get hurt again, they have told him they will support him in this decision.
His adoptive parents have told him they will follow his lead, and if he is ready for his birth family to be a part of his life again, they will always support him.
While there is still lots of road to travel, Jake, Alice, and Anna are an example of what is possible for those who have experienced trauma when they receive the right support, both from their families and through effective interventions. As an organization, Savio believes even the most challenging trauma behaviors can be addressed through family-focused services. We truly believe that trauma and behaviors should not be the most important part of a child’s story.
The type of therapy this family received costs our organization approximately $175 a session to deliver, but Medicaid only reimburses about $100. Savio is dedicated to ensuring that all families have access to the services they need regardless of their ability to pay.
If you believe that families deserve the opportunity to receive the services they need to allow their lives to be about so much more than the trauma they have experienced, we invite you to join us in supporting Savio and our mission.
Any amount you can contribute today will make sure children like Jake, Anna, and Alice have the chance to heal and walk confidently into vibrant futures.