Support Kibrom's Healing from Reactive Attachment Disorder

We are reaching out with heavy hearts but hopeful spirits to ask for your support in helping our son, Kibrom, who has been battling Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)—a complex and deeply challenging condition that affects a child’s ability to form healthy emotional bonds and relationships.

Fourteen years ago, my husband and I felt a deep sense that we had room in our hearts and in our home for a third child. After a difficult second pregnancy, we knew we didn’t want to grow our family biologically—but our hearts were drawn to the many children in the world without families. That’s when we began exploring adoption. It was a long journey, full of paperwork, prayer, and faith. Eventually, we were matched with a beautiful 22-month-old boy from an orphanage overseas. On February 14, 2014, we held him in our arms for the first time—and from that moment on, he was ours. We were in love. But we also knew something was different.

We followed all the best practices—trauma-informed parenting, bonding strategies, therapy. We chalked up his behaviors to the adjustment period: new home, new language, new everything. But after a year, things weren’t getting better. They were getting harder. He began physically attacking our other children. He would harm himself, destroy property, and even make himself vomit if he didn’t get his way. We were heartbroken, confused, and exhausted—but we didn’t give up.

After years of searching, testing, and advocating, we finally got a diagnosis: Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)—a complex trauma disorder that affects children who have experienced severe neglect or disruptions in early care. This diagnosis explained so much, but it didn’t make life easier. It meant our son needed intense, specialized treatment and constant supervision. It also meant our family—especially our other children—were living in a home full of love, but also fear, chaos, and stress.

We have poured everything we have—financially, emotionally, physically— into getting our son the help he needs. We’ve tried in-home therapy, intensive outpatient programs, medication management, and other specialized treatments—anything that might help him build the tools he needs to heal.

And now, we’re at a place where we need to ask for help.

We’re currently seeking funding for a specialized, out-of-state therapeutic residential program that offers the intensive, trauma-informed care and structure necessary for real healing in adoptive boys suffering from RAD. This program has already begun to make a meaningful difference in his emotional stability, ability to trust, and daily functioning. This program is not covered by insurance, and the costs—while necessary—are far beyond what we can sustain alone. Between tuition, housing, therapy, travel, and ongoing family support services, the expenses have quickly added up. To date, we’ve already incurred more than $20,000, and the full course of treatment is expected to take 14-20 more months.

We believe in our son. We love him fiercely. And we continue to hope for healing—for him and for our whole family. But we can’t do it without support.

If you feel moved by our story, every dollar donated will go directly to supporting Kibrom's treatment and recovery. Your generosity, prayers, and shares can help lift this burden and allow us to focus fully on his healing journey. Your support will directly impact our son’s care and our family’s well-being.

From the bottom of our hearts—thank you for reading, for caring, and for walking alongside us.

Scott and Chantelle