Robert Hoague
Arise for Social Justice
Springfield, MA
“I was 10 and it was very difficult on both my sister and I because we were torn from our mother and fathers arms and put into a family we didn't know”
First came court where my sister and I were brainwashed to believe that our parents did something wrong too us. But before court, promises were made to us that we could go home if we told DSS what happened in the home. I was 10 and it was very difficult on both my sister and I because we were torn from our mother and fathers arms and put into a family we didn’t know. Of course my sister was treated right while I was treated like an enemy of the family. I was put into a corner for 24 hours straight just because the foster family wanted to adopt my sister. But we stopped them from adopting her.
I was sent to Brightside to live for 7 years. Without being able to go home because of the foster mother said “I was trying to molest her kids” which I wasn’t. I did not come back to my parents until I was 18 and another family adopted my sister and she didn’t come back home because she started her own family now. To this day I have no idea why we were taken by DSS but I am happy that I am finally home after all those years away from my mother. I also haven’t seen my real father since I was 8 years old. He had the opportunity to get me away from Brightside and he didn’t take it, which was messed up but later on I found out he did it for my own good, which was good for me because I didn’t turn out like him.
But all I have to say is that “DSS will try anything to take anyone’s kids away from their parents,” but the one good thing about being in DSS is the clothing vouture. I am the product of the state as they say. But I say “I am a normal guy trying to survive in this world but DSS didn’t make it easy for me”. Since I have been out of their custody I have been just fine, even though I get nervous around the opposite sex, because of being in Brightside for so long. But now my sister has her own family and is doing great! Life is tough but I am living and I thank God for that everyday. Even homeless people should have a say in this world instead of being treated like useless people especially when everyone in the world doesn’t know that right now. Plus all human beings whether they are rich or poor should have a say on what goes on in their state and the country. Let use this conference to learn about one another and teach others to cooperate with each other.
We will be the greatest force in this country once we learn to get along with each other not matter your race or religion, because together we can get so much farther in life. My mother and I are homeless because we cannot afford an apartment. Also while I was in Brightside I saw at least 25 other kids in the same boat I was because of DSS.