Family Scenarios Project Journal 1 About Me.

My name is Bradley and I am a senior at Cowan High School. I just found out that I got accepted to UCLA! I am so ready for college and the opportunity to start my own life away from my small hometown. I love my family but it sure is crazy around our house most of the time. I was an only child until my parents decided to adopt a little girl from Japan. Her name is Sumiko and she is 5 years old. She has been in our family for three years now. Recently, my parents decided to start foster care. They got an African American infant named Marquita. She is nine months old. We just found out that she has some hearing problems and were having to do quite a bit to help her adjust to this challenge. With me leaving in a few months, we have been very busy trying to get everything in order. Its a crazy life but Im trying to learn that it can be pretty cool sometimes too.

Journal 2

I Cant Take This Anymore!

Here we go again! We just found out that mom and dad have decided to foster again, which means things are going to change. Just as I am finally getting used to the first child, they decide to add another child without talking to me about it. It is already bad enough that I have to step up as man of the house since dad is always at the factory. To make matters worse, they have decided to foster a little girl. Her name is Marquita and she is nine months old. I know she is going to require a lot of work. There will be tons of diaper changes, sleepless nights, and crying all day long. Boy, this sounds like a blast. Mom is in her late thirties and she does not need to be working this hard with so many children. I can already hear her saying, Bradley, I need you to pick Sumiko up right after school and come straight to the daycare. These kids are bouncing off the walls and I need your help. I am a senior in high school. I am not supposed to be responsible for everyone else when I should be focusing on my school work and trying to get into college. These kids are not mine and I did not sign up for this. It is bad enough that everywhere we go people stare at us since we are all different ethnicities. I feel like we are part of the circus. I am starting to understand why Grandpa and Grandma Baker do not approve of all of this. It is starting to get ridiculous. No wonder they think this is so weird. Dad could practically be Marquitas grandpa. I just do not understand why mom and dad want to do all of this anyways. It is not like we need the money or anything. To top it all off, mom is expecting me to go to this wonderful Christian conference where I will learn how to be a better big brother. I do not care about how to be a better big brother. I liked being an only child and enjoyed my family much more before these foster children ever came along. The good news is things cannot get any worse. It can only go up from here!

Journal 3

What About Me?!

We just got back from the conference today. It was about as helpful as I thought it would benot at all! The whole thing focused on putting God first, others second, and yourself last. Even Christian people who are supposed to be all about love and acceptance are telling me that I need to be last on the list. Im all about accepting and loving everyone too, but come on! How is my life fair? I am already at the bottom of my whole families priority list! I know our family is a big help to these children in need but Im important too! Im their son for crying out loud! One of the things my mom has always told me is to be open with my thoughts and emotions, but I never feel like I can actually say what Im really thinking. What I think will really upset them and theyll just think Im a bad person. They are always pressuring me about doing well in school. How can I do well whenever there is so much craziness in this house and I never have time to study? Ive been bringing home bad grades lately which wont look good on my transcripts. Instead of my parents helping me, mom is too busy with her daycare or helping Sumiko and Marquita, and dad is always pulling extra shifts so hes never home. All they tell me is that I need to work harder and quit goofing off. Who has time for goofing off? All Im doing is helping them and following their orders. Families are supposed to stick together but I feel that we are all really far apart.

Our Values Baker Family values No discrimination, we accept everyone; do not worry about what others think High value on education Put God above all: Christianity Families stick together Openness with emotions and thoughts Help others in need

Journal 4

Another Problem on Top of the Pile

So here we go again more family problems. Mom suspects that Markita may be having some hearing issues. There was a house fire down the street from us yesterday, and when the fire engine drove by with their sirens blazing loudly; Markita did not even notice it. Mom said all the other children at the daycare were crying, and Markita just sat there and did not respond. We had

noticed she wouldnt look at us when we said her name, but I just figured she was being a brat and ignoring us. Mom has had some lady from a place called first steps come to the house and work with all of us. She stays at the house for an hour teaching us simple signs so we can communicate with Markita. We have had a few sessions now, and I think its just boring. Im not getting anything out of it, and all Markita does is sit there doing nothing. She is not getting anything out of it either. Her therapist said that the whole family should learn sign, and she is going to be coming over more often working with all of us. I mean geez were just adding more people to the circus. I mean I feel bad for her because I know she didnt have the best home life before she came here, but goodness, there is always something going on with one of my foster siblings. All the attention of my parents is focused on their work and those children. I got an acceptance letter from UCLA. It has been my dream to go there since I was 8 years old, and they want to set up a campus visit and interview. I havent even told my parents yet, because they are so focused on Markita right now, that im sure they wouldnt even care because I am at the bottom of their priority list. I should be preparing for the interview and getting my portfolio together to present when I go to UCLA, but guess who is stuck with Sumiko again. ME! All I hear from her is how excited she is to learn sign language. She walks around the house pretending to sign everything and is being so annoying. My parents are so focused on Markita, and making all kinds of doctor appointments for her to go to. I cannot wait for all of this to be over. I dont want her to be deaf and I really do feel bad for her, but I just feel like things just keep happening to our family. Its just getting crazier and crazier.

Journal 5

What Are We Gonna Do Now?!

Just as I thought things couldnt get any crazierTHEY DID! Mom had a family come into the daycare the other day that needed care of three more children. Even though she knew she was already at her max she just couldnt turn them away. She talked to all of the families and everyone agreed to keep things quiet, until the big scare. I had just gotten home with Sumiko to the shock of two cop cars in our drive way. I grabbed Sumiko and ran inside to make sure everything was okay only to find out that one of moms kids had run away and the neighbors had found him. Obviously the secret of the daycare being over was out and mom was now facing criminal charges of neglect as well as an illegal daycare. Part of me wants to say, I told you so, but the majority of me realizes she just did this to help others out. She is not a money hungry woman like some people may see her as. This daycare was her dream of helping others in need and keeping children safe. This was the last thing she would have wanted to happen. So now she is debating giving up on her dream all together and going back to working under somebody else, if she can even get a job after all of this. Although things are looking gloomy right now I thought this might be a great opportunity to let my new acceptance into UCLA bring some light to the situation. At dinner I casually slipped the letter to my dad who read it in silence and then with a huge smile on his face he passed it to mom who after reading it immediately broke down in tears. I asked mom what she thought and she said that she was very proud of me and that I was an

inspiration to her as well. She then announced to us all that she had been thinking about not giving up on her dream of having her own daycare, but simply postponing it so that she could go back to school and do it the right way. She said that she had gone to Ivy Tech and looked into Early Childhood Education classes in hopes of starting in the fall. Wow, talk about a little awkward.mom and me going to college at the same time.

Journal 6

Finally Something Awesome Happens!

I am so excited! Everything has calmed down and now Im graduating! Woot woot! Graduate over here; going to UCLA out there! Mom, dad, Sumiko, and little Markita are all on board to help plan my open house. Weve shopped around for prices and found that Party City has the best prices on cutlery and other utensils to use. The price for utensils is going to be around $50. I think that this is a good price consider how many people will be attending. Roughly 100 people will be coming and that includes Grandma and Grandpa Baker. They havent been as volatile recently as what they used to be. I think the scare with mom and the almost jail time put their priorities into focus. Family always comes first even if that family isnt related by blood. Concannons Bakery is going to be making my graduation cake. Its going to be a large sheet cake with a graduation cap, diploma, and the UCLA emblem on it. Heekan Park has agreed to rent a cabin to us for $75. This is where my open house will be. I just recently purchased my cap and gown for graduation from Jostens. Sumiko thinks its a dress and tries to where it around the house. Sigh. I guess its not a big deal, but she better not ruin it. My mom has a friend who runs a photography business as a hobby. Mrs. Tays has offered to take my senior photographs for a reduced price of $50. The package it comes with is great; an 1114, 25 wallets, 4 copies of the 2x4s and a 810. Dad says that this is where my fun will end and my life as an adult will begin so I should enjoy it. He said Ill need to apply for FASFA soon, so that I dont miss the cutoff date. Ill get to it soon because the more help I get financially the better. Everything seems to be falling into place. Dad is home more helping mom, mom is enjoying life and pursuing her dream and Sumiko is excited to learn ASL and help teach Markita (and the rest of us). Markita will be seeing a hearing physician every few months to see if her hearing is getting better or worsening. Either way it goes she will have family with her, every step of the way. Just like I now know that they will be with me, even if I dont always see it. I guess foster siblings arent so bad. Resources SAFY- Specialized alternatives for families and youth www.safy.org 7701 West Kilgor Ave. suite 6, Yorktown, IN 47396 765-287-8477

DCS

Muncie, IN, 3600 West Kilgor Ave., suite 600 47304

765-751-9565

Saraga International Market 3605 Commercial dr., Indianapolis IN 46222 Hours: Mon-sun 9am-9pm 317-388-9999 www.saragafood.com

Wise up family workshop Jeffersonville, IN at Eastside Christian church Childcare- $10 per child/$20 per family/$15per adult

Rossett a stone 135 West Market st. Harrison burg VA 22801 1-800-767-38802

www.adoptivefamilies.com United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (www.unesco.org) Website about the problems and solutions to fighting discrimination

Cowan High School Mackenzie Jackson, High School Counselor Helping Bradley prepare for a college education

Word of Life Christian Church 1401 E Kirby Ave, Muncie, IN. 47302 765-282-6269 Services, prayer huddles, bible studies, seminars, Christian education classes, Youth activities

www.familyvoices.org Website that works for the advocacy of keeping families together

Workshops, conferences, articles, etc. available for resources

Lykins Counseling Clinic 4221 N Broadway Ave, Muncie, IN. 47302 765-282-7150 Provides counseling services for a number of topics including family counseling

Habitat for Humanity 1923 S. Hoyt Ave, Muncie, IN. 47302 765-286-5739 Volunteer opportunities, donation services, helping families in need First Steps 7221 Engle Rd. Ste 100 Fort Wayne, IN 46804 (260) 207- 5799 Provides: Assistive technology, audio logical services, family education, training, counseling, medical services, and developmental therapy. American Speech-Language- Hearing Association 2200 Research Blvd. Rockville, MD 20850 (301) 296-5700 Program: Ensures that children with hearing loss receive free intervention programs from birth until they turn twenty-one. Silent Blessings Deaf Ministries 1201 E. 5th St. Anderson, IN 46012 Mission: to bring people together that is hearing and deaf together to hear about God and increase awareness among hearing Christians of the uniqueness of being deaf.

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program Lisa Condes, EHDI Program Parent Consultant (317) 233- 1269 0r 888-815-0006 This program offers testing for newborn and toddler hearing screenings. Test 1: Oto-acoustic emissions (OAE) Test 2: Automated Auditory Brainstem Response Test (AABR) Muncie ENT 2525 West University Ave, Ste 501 Muncie IN, 47303 (765) 284-2172 Provides: tests for hearing loss, as well as thyroid problems, snoring, and sleep apnea. www.wyzant.com 877-999-2681 Site to locate a sign language tutor in your area and price range to come into the home.

Beasley and Gilkison Attorney at law 110 E Charles Street PO Box 1648 Muncie,IN 47308 765-289-0661 Attorney to help with the charges being pressed for neglect of child The Bureau of Childcare http://www.in.go/fssa/carefinder Rules and regulations on how to become a licensed daycare UCLA

www.ucla.edu 405 Hilgard Avenue Los Angeles,CA 90095 310-825-4321 Link to find more information on college visit for Bradley Muncie Ivy Tech Community College 4301 S Cowan Road Muncie,IN 47302 (888) 489-5463 www.ivytech.edu Information for mom going back to college for ECED The Muncie Headstart www.telamon.org looking into getting Markita into a class that specifies with working with children who have special needs. Indiana Career Connect www.indianacareerconnect.com Used to help search for a job for mom to have a small part of income while she is in school Party City 800 E McGalliard Rd Muncie, Indiana (765) 286-5260 Concannons Bakery 4801 West Baker Lane Muncie, IN 47304 (765) 288-9820 Heekan Park Cabins Corner of South Madison & East Memorial Drive Muncie, IN 47302 765-747-4858

Jostens http://www.jostens.com Angie Tays Photography https://www.facebook.com/NanataysPhotography FAFSA http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/