Abused sisters overcome past, adopted by loving LSS foster parents
 

By the time 9-year-old Alisha and 7-year-old Jennifer were removed from their home, they had suffered unimaginable neglect and abuse.

“It was a combination of severe neglect and abuse by multiple perpetrators,” said Sharon Long. Ten years ago, Sharon and husband Charles Long gladly opened their hearts and home to those little girls.

Foster parents for 25 years, the North Texas couple has taken care of more than 200 children. They specialize in caring for children with emotional and behavioral problems – the result of severe abuse and neglect.   

When the girls first arrived at the Longs’ home, “they had lots of health and hygiene problems,” said Sharon. Among those were ringworms and head lice. “Our doctor had never seen such a severe case.”

In addition, the girls’ education had not been taken seriously by their birth parents, and they had fallen far behind in school. Both Jennifer and Alisha were classified as mentally retarded after scoring very low in IQ tests. To help them catch up, the Longs had both girls repeat their last grade level.

One of the immediate challenges facing Sharon and Charles was the girls’ behavior. “They were used to running wild; there were no boundaries of any kind,” said Sharon. “They had no idea how to behave normally.”

For months after their arrival at the Longs’ home, said Sharon, “Alisha spent all her time thanking us for cooking and for buying them clothes.”

Alisha, the more outgoing of the two girls, adjusted quickly and began excelling in school. Before long a new IQ test score showed marked improvement and she was no longer considered mentally retarded.

Jennifer was slower to respond. “For about five years she operated in a fog,” said Sharon. “Sometimes she would forget what she learned in school or even attending school the day before.”

Doctors were puzzled. They ordered MRIs and CAT scans. They suspected her brain had been damaged as a result of the abuse and neglect she had suffered.

“Then, she kind of woke up,” said Sharon.

Sharon said she believes that Jennifer had finally decided that she really was safe. The turnaround is remarkable. Today, Jennifer is on the honor roll in her academic and life-skills classes.

“The Longs are very dedicated to providing a loving home for the children they foster,” said Krystale Bezio, area director at the LSS foster care/adoption office in Fort Worth. “They make sure that their children have every opportunity to pursue their interests and reach their full potential.”

Recently, the Longs decided to adopt the girls, but only if they wanted to be adopted.

“Jennifer wept when we asked if we could adopt her,” said Sharon. “Later, when we began to tell Alisha that we wanted to adopt her and Jennifer, she interrupted us and said, ‘Yes! I’ve always wanted to be adopted by you!’ ”

Before the end of May – National Foster Care Month – Alisha and Jennifer will have a “forever” family.

To learn more about foster care and adoption, Start Here, or call (866) 700-0014.

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