Natalie Carson of Westminster, Colorado.
Natalie Carson is a 19-year-old college student who has not had the easiest of paths so far. She was placed in foster care as a baby, in Colorado. She was adopted, moved to Georgia, and then found herself back in foster care,
as her then-adopted family was abusive.
At 18, she aged out of the system. On her own for the first time, Carson took a bus back to Colorado.
"I really didn't know anything, but I knew I was born here," she said.
She found help at a shelter, earned a GED and is now taking college courses, with a focus in computer science. Now, turning 19, Ms. Carson decided to put up this simple ad:
Young Female College Student looking to "rent" family for birthday
Hi! I am currently a young female college student looking to rent a family that I can spend time with on my birthday in a few weeks. I aged out of foster care and I since (sic) was never adopted, I don't have a family to spend holidays or my birthdays with. I was placed in foster care after being severely abused by my parents, so spending time with my biological parents is not an option. I am not a weirdo or anything I was just inspired by another girl that rented a family from craigslist in California for the holidays. I just want one day that I can feel important and special, and like I matter even if I really don't. I have never had a good birthday so I figure why not this birthday. I am NOT looking for any monetary support as I also work. I can pay $8 an hour. Please no replies that are sexually suggestive because I will not answer. Thanks in advance!
There has been an outpouring of support as Natalie's story has gotten television news coverage and there's one family she has been in contact with through the Craigslist ad.
"I felt like having one day where it's OK -- this is about me and it's my birthday," Carson said. "I don't have this big elaborate plan or anything, I just wanted it to be good."
On Friday, Natalie said she's grateful for an outpouring of support but overwhelmed by a flood of emails as her story has received international news coverage. She's talking with people who have offered to help make her birthday special. Now she's asking others who want to help to instead support other foster care children or organizations that aid foster kids.
Watch the news story with interview of Ms. Carson below the fold.