How Could A Therapeutic Home Help with RAD?
Have you ever wondered if a therapeutic home could help with RAD? Well, here is a man that I met who was not only healed in one but he also now owns and runs a therapeutic home for boys. He has an inspiring story, and I hope you find it as amazing as I do. - Kristen
My name is Samuel Christian. I was adopted in 1997 from a Romanian Orphanage. Growing
up I struggled with connecting with my family. Being a child with RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder) has been the single most challenging thing of my life.
My parents have read books about it, attended seminars about it, talked to other parents who were walking it, but none of that could have prepared them for the reality of it.
Because they were not prepared even though they had all the head knowledge, it’s hard to write about this knowing that no matter how hard my parents tried, they will not be able to fully convey what living this journey is like.
How Could A Therapeutic Home Help with RAD?
At the age of 17, I was sent to a therapeutic program because my parents no longer knew what to do to help me. At the time, I remember thinking that I won. I was able to succeed in my parents turning against me and hating me.
While at the home, I tried to play the RADs card with everyone I came in contact with. For eight months I fought with the staff, the counselors, and everyone in the home that would try and connect with me and help me. I remember this one staff sat me down and looked at me in the eyes and said,
"Sam, fight all you want. I will still love you no matter what you do. We are not kicking you out of this home. You will stay with us till you turn 18 if that is what it takes. God did not create you with RAD… so quit claiming it in your life and claim victory over this!! Are you tired of feeling lonely and unwanted and unloved? Then let God heal you. Experience his freedom!!" Mentor of Sam
I kept hoping that they too would give up on me but after hearing these words from him, I remember bawling my eyes out. We ended up praying and talking for hours. It was then that I began my journey of claiming victory over RADs.
Today, I have a real relationship with my family.
I also own and am heavily involved working at my Therapeutic Boys Home and help boys, who like me, struggle with RADs in their life. I love waking up in the morning and bringing hope and healing to the lives of these boys. I love working alongside the parents and see them begin to have hope in their son again.
Could A Therapeutic Home Help You with RAD?
For more information on this, you can check out my website at https://www.christianboysranch.com/
I hope you enjoyed Sam's testimony as much as I did.
I know reading it gives me a lot of hope for the RAD families - for the parents of the RAD children who are struggling. I'm so glad that we have connected.
Do you have a story that you would like to share - a story of success where someone invested in your life while in foster care or when you were struggling in some way as a child? You can send me a potential submission for review to kristen@impressingminds@gmail.com I would love to consider featuring you on this blog in order to encourage others.
Here are other stories I have featured:
Kayla: https://impressingminds.com/this-is-kaylanow/
Vada: https://impressingminds.com/vada/
Tiara: https://impressingminds.com/forgotten-to-forgiven/