Hello all... its Daniela here... I gotta tell you this has been a crazy couple of days!! Larry and I got in on Tuesday we didn’t have a chance to get in when everyone else did. but we got caught up real fast! I wanted to tell you guys a little bit about myself, I'm 21 years old and attending college to get my masters in family and marriage psychology. I want to eventually work for an organization who works with kids and youth in care! the reason why I’m pursing this carrier is because when I was in care I had the best councilor that literally help me overcome allot of the problems I had with my past and helped me release them in a healthy manner.
I entered care when I was 13 years old with my siblings, both younger than me. my father was very abusive towards us to the point where others could notice and that’s when my best friend at the time, which is now my foster sister, told a teacher! from that point we got taken out on a Friday and put back with my parents that Monday. after that my relationship with my father didn’t change, although he was not abusive anymore, we didn’t get along at that point, and that’s when I reached a huge depression, which landed me in a mental health hospital, and after in a group home! my siblings where vey young at the time so they wanted to go back home, but I was determined not to be in that environment.
That’s when my best friend’s mother and step dad went to all the necessary classes and paper work to have me live with them because they saw all this had done to me. I lived with my foster parents till I turned 18 and aged out of the system and entered college. at that time my state had the independent living program in which I signed myself back over to them, where they helped me with the financial aspect of living on your own. long story short, yes I had a horrible childhood, but I was so blessed to have wonderful foster parents in my life to be able to grow and be the young adult I am today! I was also able to be a teenager for the first time in my life!
Sssooo with that all said, I have done alot of youth advocating throughout the years, I love talking to others about the struggles I’ve had and learning and hearing others perspectives! I love the energy that we all have when we get together and try and make a difference so that maybe one child or youth will not have to go through half the things we did!
Like I said this is our first week in the seaside house, but so far I’ve had a blast meeting everyone, exploring the town and getting started on this amazing adventure we all have ahead!!! We definently are a fun group and have not stopped laughing this whole time. I wish we could have videotaped the photo shoot the other day because it was like we were kids all over again! ha but like I said I will keep you guys updated in our day to day adventures and stories! p.s...
To Ben: “why do we have this extra skin on your elbow? I mean I know we need it but why does it have to be so gross!!" haha "knowledge is key, education is the beginning, with it you can do whatever you can dream!" - Daniela Nichitean -Daniela<3