A huge part of the news last week was devoted to the verdict of the Casey Anthony trial. It was a sensational case with a sensational outcome and it captured the attention of hundreds of thousands of people across this country.
The saddest thing about it is that a baby girl is dead. Whether on purpose or accidentally, through severe abuse, or neglect, whether she was murdered or accidentally drowned, the result is that two-year-old Caylee Anthony's life is ended.
This blog is about children who have survived the abuse and neglect of their parents. The rights of those parents to raise their offspring have been terminated by the court. The children have been taken from them for their own protection, and put into the foster care system, until a permanent family can be found to adopt them.
Until those families come along, if ever, they are just kids who have had tough lives. They've survived, so far, the hardships of their upbringing at the hands of their caretakers. They've made it through the loss of their parents, and often the loss of their siblings as well. They've survived being moved from temporary home to temporary home, and being raised in a "system".
Each one of these children's lives is as precious as Caylee Anthony's was. Each of these children's lives is still at risk. The outcomes for their adulthood, if they remain in the Child Welfare system, are bleak.
It's so not a sensational situation. And yet, it is. There's no reason to wait until something awful happens to a person before we pay attention. We can take matters into our own hands and make sure these children get the justice they deserve.
This blog is about focusing attention on children who will thrive with love and nurturing. Children whose potential will soar with the right guidance. Children who need loving permanent homes. Check it out.
Today, please meet Joyna. She is 14-years-old. She's smart and confident. She draws, sings, and dances with the enjoyment and dedication of a true artist. And she's got talent. She's a great kid. See for yourself.
You can learn more about the children featured in these films and find more information about foster care adoption at ChildrensActionNetwork.org or by calling 800-525-6789.