Ellen, 8 years old, MN

Ellen was moved to an adoptive placement with her siblings on June 6, 2025. She is struggling to fit in and often has aggressive outbursts towards the other children and pets in the home. Ellen likes to be helpful and wants to be liked, but she feels so overwhelmed that it is difficult for her to process her emotions. She has started therapy to address her trauma. Ellen enjoys gymnastics and is enrolled in classes to provide her with an outlet of her own. Although she finds it hard to talk about her feelings, it is clear that she is making an effort. She misses her mother terribly and does not understand why she was moved to a different placement, especially since her parents' parental rights have been terminated. In addition to gymnastics, Ellen loves to dance and express herself. She is also drawn to tactile stimuli, enjoying the sensation of touching and smelling different objects.

Wishes submitted by:

SD DSS - Pennington County