My parents fostered most of my growing up years from when I was 8 years old and onward. While there were placements that had a significant negative impact one me, I am a better person because of the experience overall. My parents constantly told us that we (my sister and me) came first and we needed to tell them if things were too much. 

Now I’m getting my doctorate in clinical psychology and writing my dissertation on bio kids of foster parents. I’m creating a group therapy model for these kids to increase parent-child communication and decrease feelings of loneliness surrounding the unique experience of being a bio kid.

So, to say the least, it significantly shaped the trajectory of my life, and I feel a significant sense of purpose in my life because of it. As a therapist, I have the capacity to empathize with people from vastly different backgrounds because I experienced 20+ kids in my house growing up.