Rangi's Story
My name is Rangi Keating, I am 16
years old and I am one of 10 siblings, 5 brothers and 4 sisters. My story begins in Motueka, where I was
born near the top of the South Island.
My parents had struggled in their relationship to raise me and my siblings. Mum turned to alcohol and drugs earlier in her life. Sadly, this affected me while she carried me in her womb.
I was diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. I just discovered what that is. I have delayed development and problems in thinking, speech, movement, and social skills.
Because of my parents inability to care for me, I have been in and out of CYFS all of my life, 14 homes to be exact. I have been exposed to violence and verbal abuse, ridiculed, teased and made a fool of by my peers and caregivers throughout my upbringing. I have never felt I belonged anywhere because I have seen good and bad people come and go. All my life I just wanted to be a part of a normal family. At the age of 14, my dad finally was approved to have me live with him, my step mum, and my granddad.
When I started college at Massey High, I got into trouble where I became frustrated and angry. At one time, another boy and I pushed each other and I was knocked unconscious. I ended up in hospital. School were concerned about my safety and CYFS have been involved to support me. They thought a mentor would help teach me some social skills.
years old and I am one of 10 siblings, 5 brothers and 4 sisters. My story begins in Motueka, where I was
born near the top of the South Island.
My parents had struggled in their relationship to raise me and my siblings. Mum turned to alcohol and drugs earlier in her life. Sadly, this affected me while she carried me in her womb.
I was diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. I just discovered what that is. I have delayed development and problems in thinking, speech, movement, and social skills.
Because of my parents inability to care for me, I have been in and out of CYFS all of my life, 14 homes to be exact. I have been exposed to violence and verbal abuse, ridiculed, teased and made a fool of by my peers and caregivers throughout my upbringing. I have never felt I belonged anywhere because I have seen good and bad people come and go. All my life I just wanted to be a part of a normal family. At the age of 14, my dad finally was approved to have me live with him, my step mum, and my granddad.
When I started college at Massey High, I got into trouble where I became frustrated and angry. At one time, another boy and I pushed each other and I was knocked unconscious. I ended up in hospital. School were concerned about my safety and CYFS have been involved to support me. They thought a mentor would help teach me some social skills.
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I have been enjoying the mentoring with my TYMS mentor. I am learning about emotional regulation, how I feel inside, and what behaviours others see. I'm learning better communication skills and how to problem solve… so being able to identify problems and find different possible solutions.
I feel good and better about myself. In the last few months I have learnt how to play basketball, and it has helped me a lot with my confidence. I have done things that I would not have thought I could do. I got my Learners License, completed a Mechanics course, and I have been going to church. My relationship with my dad and step mum is so much better and I love my mentoring program. My goals are to repair my relationship with my mum and to become an Auto Mechanic as well as a Professional Drift Car Driver. My name is Rangi Keating, this is my story. |
I feel good and better about myself. In the last |
