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Surviving the System
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Tag Archives: child abuse
Foster Care: A Survival Guide
If I had five minutes to talk to a kid entering foster care, here’s what I’d say to them. And if I could talk with them every day, I’d go over these things with them again and again. But I can’t. So I wrote them down. Please share. Thanks, Ken
This pocket-guide offers easy tips, which are often overlooked, for success in the foster care system and beyond. Drawing on his past experiences as a system kid, Mr. Marteney, offers insightful advice on how a few simple actions can have a huge impact on a foster child’s experience in the system.
Ken Marteney is a third-generation foster kid from the Los Angeles area, having lived in foster homes, boys’ homes, and group homes. After successfully navigating the system, Ken worked his way around the globe traveling as far east as England and as far west as Hawaii.
He’s a normal guy that just happened to have grown up in extraordinary circumstances. He is passionate about kids not only surviving, but thriving while in foster care.
Ken feels like he’s won the lottery every day. He currently resides in Texas, happily married with three kids.
Albertson
We plotted murder that night
Running away from our cottages ready to fight
Eight thirteen-year olds clutching long metal pipes
What that monster did to that little boy wasn’t right
We gathered in the groves ready to strike
When Albertson popped out of the night
An off duty cop who patrolled with a big flash light
“Boys, where you going with those long metal pipes”
We surrounded Albertson ready to fight
Everyone was ready to go out with a bang that night
All for a boy we didn’t even know
We heard the story and it was go, go, go
It was not the first time… we heard that story before
After that night we wouldn’t hear it anymore
We told Albertson our thoughts and intentions
Albertson turned out to be a true rescue ranger
He rescued hikers day and night
“Boys, if that’s true, it isn’t right
Let me take up your fight
You don’t have to do this alone
Just because he’s head of the home
The decisions you make tonight are for keeps
Please go back to your cottage and go to sleep”
“Okay Albertson, we’ll do it your way”
“Don’t worry boys, if it’s true he will pay”
And pay he did
Albertson rescued all of us that night
Thank you Albertson for taking up our fight
Stand Tall
Stand tall
Stand tall my little ones
Stand tall
It’s not your fault
Stand tall
After surviving the lies
Don’t be afraid to look others in the eyes
Stand tall
Stand tall when those about you fall
Stand tall
Speak for the weak
Screaming their stories from the highest peak
Stand tall
I will listen for your call
Stand tall
Just remember
You’re not alone
Stand tall.
Desert Rose nominated ME for an award!!
Today Desert Rose nominated my blog for the “Tell Me About Yourself Award.”
The rules for this award are to thank the person who nominated you, tell seven things about yourself, and nominate seven bloggers.
Thank you, Desert Rose. Thanks for making me share. 🙂
The following statements are all true.
1. I pretty much like peanut butter on everything. Including hot dogs.
2. My first dog was killed in a stash house in Mexico.
3. As a kid, I was kidnapped by a notorious biker gang and released unharmed.
4. My dad made Sixty Minutes… and not for his good deeds.
5. I was a third-generation foster kid, coming of age mostly in boys’ home and group homes and eventually aging out of the system.
6. I have lived and worked as far west as Hawaii and as far east as England and lots of places in between.
7. I feel like I won the lottery everyday. I’m happily married and have three great kids.
8. I presently earn a living hunting bad guys. I know there were only supposed to be seven things, but I’ve always had trouble following the rules. 🙂
9. I just wanted to break the rules again. I AM Potentially Disruptive.
The seven blogs I nominate for this award are… drumroll, please.
1. Poet Jena: http://poetjena.wordpress.com/about/
2. Antonio de Simone: http://antodesimone.wordpress.com/
3. Ardun Ward: http://ardunward.com/
4. Wayward Spirit: http://waywardspirit.wordpress.com/about/
5. Ramblings From an Apothetic Adult Baby: http://justingawel.com/about/
6. Scribble it Down: http://scribbleitdown.wordpress.com/
7. Cristian Mihai: http://cristianmihai.net/
Heroes
Last night at my oldest son’s football game a retired soldier was acknowledged in the stadium.
The announcer spoke of all the battles he had endured and all the accommodations he had received.
It made me think of all the kids that made it through foster care.
Some had cushy posts but most survived a war zone surrounded by the enemy for many years.
Think of the accommodations and medals they would receive.
Most of the battles these kids survived would make any soldier weep.
My hat goes off to these heroes.
Be proud you made it through the system.
I know I am.
MARTENEY MEDIA 