Twelve years ago a baby boy was born a survivor - Thomas. Prior to meeting my now ex-husband Glen, in 2006 he consummated an affair that resulted in Thomas' birth. When the affair ended, Glen's name was maliciously removed from Thomas' birth certificate and replaced with another man's. From 2007 through 2009, Glen fought for paternity rights in Family Court, while Thomas shuffled between foster homes as a result of his mother's negligence. Ultimately, Glen attained paternity and established biological entitlement. However, as we commenced visitation negotiations with the court, they were overturned when we learned a New York bus driver rescued Thomas from the streets at three in the morning, as the child wondered around wearing only his underwear. Glen was immediately awarded full custody of his son, after a judge was informed of his rescue.
To help Thomas acclimate into our household and gain his trust, I began to document his development. Having no recollection of his traumatic event, Thomas began to address me as “mommy.” I helped raise this remarkable boy, whom is now thirteen, for ten years. And although his father and I are no longer married, the three of us share an unbreakable bond created by love through hardship and survival.