2004 Recipient: Sherry Farnham
Sherry Farnham
is a remarkable woman and CASA. Sherry has been a CASA since January 2001, and has advocated on behalf of 5 children. Since she began, Sherry's work and dedication as a CASA have been an inspiration to many. Her limitless energy, respect for others, empathy and integrity have redefined the word advocate.
One of Sherry's children came from an unusually dysfunctional family. Each of the eight children born into this family was grievously harmed by neglect or abuse. Richard, the youngest, was the survivor of a set of premature and medically fragile twins. He had multiple medical issues and Sherry worked from the beginning to ensure Richard joined a family that would love and nurture him.
Sherry recommended a foster family that became dedicated to Richard's health and happiness. With Sherry's support, this family made extraordinary efforts to provide Richard the care needed to overcome the continuous challenges to his health. Sherry's hard work and extensive research helped ensure that Richard was well cared for and loved in a wonderful foster home where he lived for approximately nine months.
Richard was hospitalized due to an infection and Sherry relentlessly advocated to make certain he received appropriate care. Sherry kept speaking up so Richard's best interests were served and the only family he had ever known would be supported in making some very difficult medical decisions. Sherry remained calm and focused during this ordeal. Children's Hospital social worker, Susan Fabe states, "Sherry navigated these waters beautifully, with such poise and grace. She went above and beyond the call of duty. She is one in a million." Despite his devoted family's care and the extraordinary efforts of a medical team, Richard succumbed to the infection and died.
Even then, Sherry's advocacy did not end. Hamilton County had custody of Richard but representatives said there were no funds available to bury him. Sherry secured donated services and ensured thoughtful arrangements were made to honor Richard. Richard's biological sister, Tiffany, and aunt were heartbroken when he died. Sherry made arrangements for them to have their own viewing and service.
Due the knowledge Sherry gained from serving Richard, Sherry agreed to take the case of a young boy named Christopher who suffered from the same disease as Richard. . Sherry supported Christopher's foster mother throughout his hospitalizations. When the foster mother was burned by a fire in a neighbor's home, Sherry took dinner to the foster mother and repeatedly offered to help in any way possible.
Christopher unexpectedly took a turn for the worse and was very, very ill in the hospital. While those around him were numb with worry and grief, Sherry again sprung into action. When it became clear that Christopher was not going to make it and his doctors felt like his suffering was being prolonged, Sherry immediately took the experience she had with Richard's case and worked to notify all appropriate parties as quickly as possible as to what needed to be done for Christopher.
When Christopher passed away, Sherry again made all the funeral and burial arrangements. Through her hard work and diligence Sherry was able to get a local cemetery, Spring Grove Cemetery, to agree to donate services and a burial plot to Hamilton County for any future children who pass away while in the custody of the county.
Sherry did everything possible to make sure everyone involved in Richard's and Christopher's life felt supported and appreciated. She consistently focused on meeting the needs of others in the most difficult of circumstances. Sherry's advocacy has been amazingly thoughtful and thorough. In the midst of these tragic losses, we know a loving family surrounded Richard and Christopher, and Sherry did everything possible to improve what could be made better.
Sherry is currently the CASA for Tiffany, who is now 15 years old. Largely because of Sherry's efforts, Tiffany is attending high school and is in the band. She is succeeding because of Sherry's constant presence in her life. Sherry recently joined the Withrow High School Band Boosters in efforts to support Tiffany. As part of the Band Boosters, Sherry meets with the other parents of the band members on a regular basis. With Sherry's encouragement, Tiffany is now considering a two-year vocational program after high school.
And yet another example of Sherry's exceptional work is evidenced by her exceptional advocacy on behalf of Pam. As an infant, Pam was abandoned on the floorboard of a car. At the age of\ 3 months old, Pam was placed in a wonderful foster home. The foster parent fell in love with Pam and wanted to adopt her. Pam was attached to her foster mother and the two had developed a very strong and special bond.
Nine months into the case and half way through the adoption process, Pam was abruptly removed from the home due to an altercation between the foster parent and her 17-year-old foster daughter. Although an investigation determined that Pam's foster mother had done nothing wrong, Pam was not reunified with her foster mother.
Sherry believed it was in Pam's best interest to go back to the only parent and home she had ever known. Sherry fought hard to get Pam returned to the foster parent's home. She advocated in and out of court in order to have Pam returned. When conversations about the case with the county caseworker and supervisor did not result in the return of the child, Sherry did not end her efforts. She arranged meetings with high level administrators within the county agency and prepared to petition the court for the return of the child.
Sherry's exceptional diligence and persistence paid off and Pam was returned to the foster mother's home just in time to celebrate her first birthday with the person who she considered her mother. Today Pam is a thriving, happy toddler secure in the home of the woman who is now her mother - the adoption was final in the first week of December 2003. Pam's adoptive mother calls Sherry "Pam's guardian angel.”
Despite the heartbreak of the death of two of her CASA children and the tremendous obstacles and frustration and injustices she encountered in her work, Sherry speaks about her experience in such a positive way that she has inspired other individuals to want to become a CASA. Sherry often says that being a CASA is the best thing she's ever done in her life other than raising her own children.