Alex was just looking for a family to love him and give him a stable home, but he had given up hope.
In a span of 11 years, the teen had lived with 15 different families. It was a painful cycle of getting to know and getting used to a family, only to do it all over again. The 13-year-old had lost all trust in adults.
How 11 Years in Foster Care Caused a Boy to Lose Trust in Adults
“Trust was a really big issue,” he said, quoted by Boys and Girls Aid, “There was no point in even looking for a family or trying because I thought I would just end up back in a foster home.”
He began to become problematic, more prone to outbursts, and rarely followed directions. Even schooling was a struggle because he was transferring so often.
Boys and Girls Aid, however, still believed he deserved a family. They allowed him to grow in a stable environment and helped him regain trust in adults. The team helped him work through outbursts and never gave up on him. Months turned to years, and Alex began to change, build relationships with the staff, and heal.
How Fate Brought a Loving Couple to Their Future Son
Meanwhile, Jenny and Stephen Madkour were looking for a child to love. They were aware of the shortage of foster homes in Oregon and had been thinking about opening up their home to an older child for a while.
“We had been looking for a very long time,” Jenny told KOIN. The couple was watching TV when they saw Alex in Jeff Gianola’s Wednesday’s Child segment. And immediately, they knew they had found the boy for them.
Anybody who has seen that video of Alex, his core awesome comes out in that video. It was such a great thing, the way Jeff Gianola talked to him and Alex’s interaction with him, it really gave us a glimpse of who Alex is.
Jenny Madkour to KOIN
When his caseworkers at Boys and Girls Aid told him the Madkours were interested, he couldn’t believe it.
I didn’t believe them. This is not going to happen; you guys are just trying to fool me.
Alex to KOIN
How a Boy Found His Forever Home After Searching for Years
The couple met him before Thanksgiving. Then, right before Christmas, Alex moved in with his new family and, soon enough, they were in the process of adopting him. For the first time in his life, Alex felt wanted.
Alex now lives on a farm and is learning to take care of animals and using farm engines. He goes home to hugs, a pet, and his own bedroom. After 11 years of waiting and searching, Alex finally found his way home, and the Madkours have no plans of letting him go.
“We hope for Alex everything that any parent would hope for their kids, hopefully our love and the stability and always having a place to come home to will give him that foundation to do all the great things that his heart desires. There’s a ton of kids out there who are just looking for someone to love them,” Jenny said.
This story reminds us that families come in all shapes and sizes and that everyone needs love. Even a traumatized child can feel safe and blossom once they have a support system and a place to call home.
More Uplifting News from Goalcast:
- Abandoned Baby Found Freezing in Truck - Woman Steps in and Changes Two Lives
- Foster Mom Fights To Adopt Baby No One Wanted – 20 Years Later, He Goes Behind Her Back And Does This
- 10-Year-Old Boy Nobody Wanted To Adopt Is Sent To Foster Family – What Happens Next Changed Their Life
- Brothers Torn Apart By Foster Care Are Officially Reunited Thanks To One Stranger
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.