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A family friend shared a great adage with me recently: “Life is how you respond to plan B. Or C. And possibly D.” As a child who was in foster care and later adopted, I’ve seen the power of this statement.  

My twin sister and I were the fourth and fifth children born to our biological mother, who struggled with drug addiction. I know that sounds harsh and dehumanizing, but despite being smart, creative and funny, addiction is what most defined my biological mother over the past two decades. Addiction and the often linked struggles with homelessness, poor health, food scarcity and a multitude of other issues. Her addiction proved too strong for her to overcome, which caused me and all five of my siblings to be removed from her care. And with no known father, God was ready with another plan.  

My adoptive mom was single but desperately wanted children and made a plan to become a foster parent. She received a call one day asking if she could take in twin girls in three hours, to which she responded, “yes.” A simple, yet life-changing answer that I am eternally grateful for.  

She describes it as the most exciting and wonderful day of her life. My mom fostered us for several years before she was able to adopt us. It was a journey. We dealt with a lot of health issues related to the trauma we experienced and our biological mother’s drug use while pregnant. If a classmate got a cold, my sister or I would catch it. But then it would worsen into an ear infection, then a sinus infection, then an asthma attack and finally walking pneumonia. Then the other twin got it, and the fun started all over. By the time we were five, my mom had taken us to countless doctor and therapy appointments. And then it got bad.  

I contracted a rare rheumatological disease that took away my ability to walk and left me relying on a wheelchair. It was a one-in-a-million diagnosis, and the disease mutated in ways that confused doctors for a long time. My mom took me to see experts from across the country. I went to physical therapy six days a week. We prayed. A lot. And four years later, I no longer needed my wheelchair.  

I am so grateful for my mom’s commitment to caring for us and handling our medical needs, even when things got really challenging. She was willing to do whatever it took to make sure we were okay.   

It’s frightening to imagine what might have happened to me if I hadn’t been adopted. Would I have gotten the medical care that I needed? My biological mother should have been Plan A for my life. But I realize that wasn’t possible, and I’m so thankful that my mom found us. 

My oldest sister once said, “It doesn’t matter who your blood relatives are, your family are the people who show up for you.” My mom has given me a home, family, friends, community and a life where I can be anyone and achieve anything. She has supported me through everything, and she loves me unconditionally. I love her the same.  

I’m now just a year and a few months away from being an adult. I’ve had a wonderful childhood, and I am breaking the generational curse of addiction. My twin and I will be the first members of our biological family to go to college. And we are blessed to be able to spread our wings while feeling the security of our roots … knowing we always have our home to return to. While it wasn’t always easy, my sister and I are a testimony to how adoption changes lives. My mom’s saying “yes” changed the trajectory of our lives forever.  

Through my volunteer work and life experiences, I am very aware of just how fortunate I am. There are thousands of children hoping and praying for a permanent family right now, just so they can be kids. Kids who are safe and loved unconditionally.  

If you’re reading this, I trust your heart is affected by these children, as mine is. There are a lot of ways to love and support them, either as a potential adoptive parent or as a member of their village by volunteering or donating to organizations like the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, which offer direct help to thousands of children like my sister and me.  

Thank you for doing anything you can to be a part of the plan that supports a child waiting for a family — their life raft — helping them home.   

Thank you, Kate, for sharing your story. We welcome our caring supporters to share your story about how adoption has impacted your life and why the Foundation’s work is important to you. Together, we can achieve the vision that every child will have a permanent home and a loving family.