LEXINGTON, Ky. — A Lexington man’s journey overcoming a troubled childhood has landed him a new life helping children through similar struggles.
Reuben Watson said he's a “Sunrise-lifer." It's a title few hold but one he's made from his journey, now serving as director of outreach and advancement at Sunrise Children's Services.
"I grew up in the foster care system," he said. "As a kid, I struggled with suicidal ideations and attempted suicide twice by the age of 8. I bounced around from foster home to foster home, 14 to be specific. I bounced around to different mental hospitals and multiple crisis units, and Sunrise became my haven. It became my home.”
Watson said he suffered from physical abuse while in the system, which left physical, emotional and other deep-rooted scars.
"There were times I was only allowed to have ramen noodles and crackers as a kid," Watson said. "I have scars from having my head slammed against counters for not taking medication the way they wanted me to."
However, Watson said therapy played a key role in helping him throughout the healing process. It's why he thinks outlets of recreation, education and even simple experiences such as getting a first haircut were life-changing moments that helped him heal. Watson said it was the start of stability.
"I got to experience getting my haircut for the first time in a barbershop when I was at Sunrise," he said. "I know exactly what it feels like to look in the mirror and be proud of who I was."
After two years of shuffling between homes, he reconnected with his biological sister.
"She had asked her foster parents to find me because I went to so many places," Watson said. "No one knew exactly where I was or what was going on. I had four different social workers over that time frame and where I was had so many different placements.
"There were sometimes things that got lost. A lot of my childhood is kind of a black hole."
Watson eventually got his forever family. Today, he also finds joy and purpose in being a father
"My biological father was never present, so I never knew what it meant to be loved unconditionally until I was 14, 15 years old," he said.
“My girls run to me or crawl ... it is worth all the stress and all the gray hair and all the moments because I'm getting to walk in my little slice of heaven."
The three pillars that guide his life are faith, family and service, he said, adding he's grateful for Sunrise's support and the chance to pay it forward. Every day, Watson said he's repeating his victory by helping other children start a foundation of their own.
“When you talk about my connection to what we do as a ministry, it's not just this idea of this ministry being something good for the heart, a reason to care, a reason to provide love and support, [but] know that our services were a part of saving my life and my saving grace," he said.
If you know someone who is overcoming obstacles and defying expectations, tell Spectrum News about them and they could be featured in our Pursuit Unlimited series.