Carrie is our people and we are her people. After struggling with infertility, she and her husband created a family of two adopted children and one birth child. Their youngest, Sam, they adopted from Vietnam at the age of 3 ½. Their long journey through special-ed, hospitalizations, and multiple diagnoses including RAD ended with relinquishing Sam for adoption into another family. After suffering devastating judgement from the people she thought would support her, Carrie has devoted her life to being there to support other families who find themselves grappling with these difficult situations.

• We’re told all we need is love by churches, agencies, therapists, and our families but that’s not true. Love cannot cure trauma.
• Some families are damaged beyond the point of recovery.
• Moms of children with RAD do develop PTSD.
• We all believe adoption is forever, but sometimes that’s not what is best for the child or the family.
• When considering if your child should continue living in the home you have to think about yourself, your other kids, your marriage, etc. It’s not just your child with RAD. Consider,
  • Do you have the finances? Do you have the emotional support?
  • How traumatized is everyone in the family, especially mom? Sometimes mom can’t recover from her trauma with the child in the home. It’s very hard to heal PTSD with the child who is triggering you in the home.
  • This is true for the child too. If you’ve become the “nurturing enemy” mom, it’s very hard for them to heal in the home.
• Living with a RAD sibling has significant impact on siblings. In partnership with RAD Sibs, Carrie offers groups, support, and curriculum for siblings.
• Parents/former parents of kids with RAD can be amazing respite providers because they understand RAD and we know that kids with RAD won’t do it to us.