CHILDREN'S HOME FOUNDATION   Supporting the programs & services of Children's Home Society of South Dakota, including Children's Inn.

PETER
    Though only six years of age, Peter had already experienced significant trauma in his life.  His parents were extremely neglectful and absent, and he was removed from his home on more than one occasion because of emotional maltreatment and physical abuse by his father.  Peter began to resort to inappropriate behaviors to try and get any attention from his parents.  Among those methods was setting fires.  Unfortunately, one fire he set resulted in the burning down of their home, and the death of a little sister that could not be rescued.

    Unable to express his guilt and grief, Peter became aggressive toward others, hoarded food, and became obsessed with fire, and all things electrical.  He had difficulty focusing, listening and following directions, and as a result, did very poorly in school.  Peter would get up at night and just wander around the neighborhood.  His lack of sleep exacerbated his already declining behaviors.

    Peter was brought to Children's Home Society to address his behaviors and help him deal with his deep sadness, pain, and guilt.  Peter's perception of his placement at CHS was "...because Mom is mad and needs a long break from me."  Further developments in Peter's life included the termination of parental rights of his parents.  Another loss for Peter.

    While at Children's Home, Peter responded very well to the safety, consistency, and structure provided each day.  Over time, he became more open and honest about his feelings, and began to process his losses with those staff that he trusted most.  Peter continued to struggle with attention difficulties, but was very accepting of verbal reminders to maintain his focus.  And Peter's new family demonstrated a high level of commitment to work with Peter and CHS staff, helping him build on each successful experience. 

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   SADIE
    Sadie's life has been one of chaos, confusion, and uncertainty.  Her parents were never married, and both were neglectful of the needs of their children.  Her mother was obese, diabetic, and disabled, and she remembers, "Dad moved out when he got a new girlfriend."  Sadie thinks she has around ten siblings and half-siblings, and at age 9, she thinks she is the youngest.  She lived with some, one was shot to death, some she has never met, and she thinks a couple others were adopted outside the family.  Sadie's newest "step-father" was abusive to Sadie, her other siblings in the home, and to her mother.  One day, Sadie found her mother on the floor.  She had died.

    Sadie refused to attend the funeral because her step-father "will just yell at everybody", and ran away to live with her birth father, who previously had spent time in prison for child abuse.  Oblivious to her grief over losing her mother, he ignored Sadie, spending most of his time on the computer arranging for a woman in Romania to come live with him, and bring her two sons.  Sadie took care of herself, making meals such as "whipped cream on ice cream".  Sadie's depression worsened, and she became extremely oppositional and rude to people.  She reported seeing dead people that "need help to get out of this world".  Her behaviors kept other children from wanting to play with her, so she had no friends.  She became suicidal and eventually required hospitalization.  Her father did not come to see her, but rather, left for Romania to meet his mail order bride. 

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