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In February 2013, we welcomed 8 year old Soul Rebel into our home, our family, and our hearts through foster care. The moment she entered, we knew our love was without bound and without end. Soul Rebel is our spirited, joyful, feisty, rambunctious, and compassionate daughter. With her infectious laughter, bright smile, and quirky personality (not to mention her wacky hair accessories and wardrobe), she is a brave little warrior who endured a lifetime of severe trauma and abuse.
Over the next two years, our family grew, and Soul Rebel’s biological siblings also joined our family via foster care and adoption. Life began to settle and we saw significant growth in attachment, trust, and perceived safety among all of our children. While there have been glimpses of healing, a softened heart, and increased self-worth for Soul Rebel, it is clear that the love and support of our family and our incredible community are not enough in her healing journey.
To put it bluntly, life for Soul Rebel and our family as a whole, remains traumatic. Children from hard places often feel most comfortable in that type of trauma/chaos and work hard to recreate that and sabotage the healthy, loving relationships around them. Feeling the hard feelings and processing the past can be very scary. And trusting those new, safe relationships…. even scarier. Now safe, supported, and needing to heal, Soul Rebel is essentially stuck. Stuck in the place of childhood trauma with fears, shame, attachment difficulties, and behavioral challenges, and unable to process and move forward. This is projected on our family and makes life incredibly challenging.
The moment Soul Rebel and each of her siblings entered our family, we committed to doing everything in our power to meet any of their needs. Given that, it is also our responsibility to recognize when the needs in our home are greater than what we as parents are equipped for.
So after exhausting our local therapy resources, we looked elsewhere and landed on a nationally recognized therapeutic wilderness program, that specializes in healing for children from hard places. This renowned program combines a challenging wilderness experience with intensive clinical immersion. The intervention services are designed to be a catalyst for positive change by fostering an encouraging atmosphere with an emphasis on family involvement and building healthier relationships.
Soul Rebel is about to embark on this 10 week healing journey next week and needless to say, it is a massive financial endeavor for our family. The program itself totals at $40,000 with an initial payment of $18,000 due by March 15. Additional expenses will include travel to and from the program, as well as to participate in an onsite family therapy weekend.
Giving Goals:
Tier 1 = $100
Tier 2 = $250
Tier 3 = $500
Tier 4 = $1000+
Tier 5 = Airline Miles*
*If you would prefer to give by check or can donate airline miles, please contact Brooke Miller (campaign organizer).
While these are suggested donations, please know that any amount is greatly appreciated and will absolutely make a difference in meeting our overall goal.
Thus, it is with humility and immense gratitude that we approach our community asking you all to join us with your financial support as Soul Rebel and our family set out on this life changing path, all walking together towards true healing, trust, and hope.
From Soul Rebel (an autobiographical poem)
I am from a tetherball rotating back and forth
And from my teeth feeling numb because of my braces
And my couch sinking as I sit down in it
I am from the sun heating me up and making me sweat
I am from the thorns of roses sticking out like they want me
I am from watching my siblings pick out a piece of paper with another sibling’s name on it
I am from my little sister screaming and getting fussy
I am from my adoptive mom signing so many papers saying she will commit to take good care of me
I am from a tiny town where it’s sometimes hot and sometimes cold
I am from my dad cooking H-E-B chicken in the oven and rice on the stove
I am from my coach getting upset for not trying hard enough
I am from a sketchy neighborhood
And from being thrown in the street with a bruised and bleeding arm
Yes, Soul Rebel you are. And you are precious, valued, and loved.
Over the next two years, our family grew, and Soul Rebel’s biological siblings also joined our family via foster care and adoption. Life began to settle and we saw significant growth in attachment, trust, and perceived safety among all of our children. While there have been glimpses of healing, a softened heart, and increased self-worth for Soul Rebel, it is clear that the love and support of our family and our incredible community are not enough in her healing journey.
To put it bluntly, life for Soul Rebel and our family as a whole, remains traumatic. Children from hard places often feel most comfortable in that type of trauma/chaos and work hard to recreate that and sabotage the healthy, loving relationships around them. Feeling the hard feelings and processing the past can be very scary. And trusting those new, safe relationships…. even scarier. Now safe, supported, and needing to heal, Soul Rebel is essentially stuck. Stuck in the place of childhood trauma with fears, shame, attachment difficulties, and behavioral challenges, and unable to process and move forward. This is projected on our family and makes life incredibly challenging.
The moment Soul Rebel and each of her siblings entered our family, we committed to doing everything in our power to meet any of their needs. Given that, it is also our responsibility to recognize when the needs in our home are greater than what we as parents are equipped for.
So after exhausting our local therapy resources, we looked elsewhere and landed on a nationally recognized therapeutic wilderness program, that specializes in healing for children from hard places. This renowned program combines a challenging wilderness experience with intensive clinical immersion. The intervention services are designed to be a catalyst for positive change by fostering an encouraging atmosphere with an emphasis on family involvement and building healthier relationships.
Soul Rebel is about to embark on this 10 week healing journey next week and needless to say, it is a massive financial endeavor for our family. The program itself totals at $40,000 with an initial payment of $18,000 due by March 15. Additional expenses will include travel to and from the program, as well as to participate in an onsite family therapy weekend.
Giving Goals:
Tier 1 = $100
Tier 2 = $250
Tier 3 = $500
Tier 4 = $1000+
Tier 5 = Airline Miles*
*If you would prefer to give by check or can donate airline miles, please contact Brooke Miller (campaign organizer).
While these are suggested donations, please know that any amount is greatly appreciated and will absolutely make a difference in meeting our overall goal.
Thus, it is with humility and immense gratitude that we approach our community asking you all to join us with your financial support as Soul Rebel and our family set out on this life changing path, all walking together towards true healing, trust, and hope.
From Soul Rebel (an autobiographical poem)
I am from a tetherball rotating back and forth
And from my teeth feeling numb because of my braces
And my couch sinking as I sit down in it
I am from the sun heating me up and making me sweat
I am from the thorns of roses sticking out like they want me
I am from watching my siblings pick out a piece of paper with another sibling’s name on it
I am from my little sister screaming and getting fussy
I am from my adoptive mom signing so many papers saying she will commit to take good care of me
I am from a tiny town where it’s sometimes hot and sometimes cold
I am from my dad cooking H-E-B chicken in the oven and rice on the stove
I am from my coach getting upset for not trying hard enough
I am from a sketchy neighborhood
And from being thrown in the street with a bruised and bleeding arm
Yes, Soul Rebel you are. And you are precious, valued, and loved.