I am overcome with sadness about some of the kids I work with. I knew this would be an emotionally difficult job, but it is proving to be harder than I envisioned. My heart breaks for some of these kids, and rejoices at the same time. I see MANY FAS kids, parents whose whereabouts is unknown, parents in jail or prison, ADHD kids, Tourettes, and yes...Aspergers Syndrome. Kids left on their own, and of course gang involvement. One kid several weeks ago, burned throughout his body at the age of 12. Disfigured for the rest of his life. I am working with one family. The father in one prison where I work, the son in my juvenile prison. You wonder how they ever make it at all. Several kids who have held off entire Swat teams, who are facing adult charges. One kid yesterday, abandoned by his mother, father in prison, given to the Grandmother who can no longer care for him, supposed to be released yesterday, CPS will take over but he is a Tribal kid, so he is in limbo...but nowhere to go! What does this kid have to hope for? I am constantly amazed at how resilient these kids are, how they seem to eventually just shake it off, and keep going. And who is waiting for them, their support system??? Their gang! So, they are willing to do anything for this gang, because these people are the only ones who seem to care. A sad commentary on our society!