Julie came to live with us as a foster child. Her mother was a substance and alcoholic abuser. Julie didn’t go to school and her mom rarely prepared dinner , cleaned the house, or did laundry. Julie often slept on the couch, because her room was dirty, and …show more content…
“ I was scared to tell her my foster sister had sexually assaulted me. I didn’t really understand, because I was so young, but I knew it was wrong. I felt guilty. I felt like I made her do it . Why should I tell my mom she’ll yell at me. “Why didn’t you stop her?” “How could you let this happen?” I heard my mom say in my head.” One day I worked up the courage to tell my mom. My mother just hugged me. She said, “It’s fine. Everything is going to be okay.” The feeling of shame, worry, and guilty immediately disappeared because of my mother’s reassurance. My mother’s guidance and kindness is what gave me the courage to help Julie. I knew Julie felt the same way I felt.
Over the course of a few weeks, Julie opened up to my parents and me. Julie’s self-esteem skyrocketed as well as her social and communication skills. Julie told me I was her “lighthouse.” At 1st I was confused by what this meant, but it meant I was her light during a dark storm.
The motivation that my mother has given me, and the experience I had with Julie, has lead me to want to become a doctor. Many children face child abuse, and now I know the signs because I know what it’s like to be abused. I want to be a child’s “lighthouse” when they are in those situations just as I was for Julie, and I can do that by being a