Redheaded Jill

In case you were pregnant and considering alcohol, think again! The damage that does to your babies brain is unreal.

My youngest sister was adopted from Russia in 2004. Her birth mother drank and my sister’s brain is forever altered.

At 20 years old there are basic concepts that my sister struggles with.

The other night she said, “Who do I look more like, mom or dad?” I tried to explain to her that she doesn’t share either of their features because she wasn’t born to them. She said, “but who do I look more like?” So I said (truthfully), “You actually look more like Grandpa. You’re both very thin and have light freckles.” That satisfied her, but it made me sad.

Later we were watching a movie and my sister said, “Oh great! This movie is made for teenagers like me.” I said, “You are 20, you’re not a teenager anymore.” She said, “Yes I am!” I said, “What is a teenager?” She said, “I don’t know.” So I explained how it meant her age was in the teens. She said, “So I’m an adult!” I said, “Yes… in terms of age you are technically an adult.”

My sister is sweet and great with animals. She loves people and farming and is fascinated by the weather. She loves babies and riding her mini bike and listening to her music. She is wonderful, but she struggles, all because of things that were 100% out of her control.