Regan King

            Life for Regan King, age 16, took a drastic turn when she got a new younger sister one day. Regan’s older sister, Amber, decided that she wasn’t ready to take care of the child she already had and gave her up to her parents to take care of. Regan and her sisters Paige and Gabby had no idea how to deal with this life changing moment. “I think my sister needs to get her life together”, said King.

            Regan, living in Roanoke, VA at the time, had never been through an experience like this and was only beginning to understand how serious the situation was. Regan was working on getting a job and dealing with studies for school when this situation took place so it wasn’t only straining on her parents, but also very stressful for her in many ways. Lily, the new “sister” would have so many questions she would want answered, and Regan would have to share a room. There really wasn’t any chance of getting away from this situation for Regan. It was a difficult situation for everyone. “It makes me angry because Lily feels like she has been abandoned”, King added. Regan would also later add that her sister Amber had had a troublesome relationship with drugs and alcohol, along with guys who wouldn’t be the best role models for her. Her Parents had it rough too, not only getting a new “daughter” to take care of, but having to deal with Amber’s actions.

            The actions of Amber caused widespread family tension and emotions to grow out of control with her family. Regan knew that Amber wanted to come back and rightfully be Lily’s mom, but Regan wasn’t too sure that she had earned the right or trust of the family to do so. “They wish that she would make improvements, so she can come back and be a part of the family”, King said about Amber. Regan feels like that if Amber could get her life in order and calmed down that she could come back and be okay.

By Caleb Smith