Huntley on the Road B.C. | Michelle Reitsma

Michelle Reitsma was placed in the foster care system at 6 months old and eventually adopted at 3 into a Christian home. At 13, she found out that her birth mother was a heroin addict and sex worker. As a teen she rebelled and ended up getting trafficked in the downtown Vancouver. She got out of that situation at 18, when the man she was with was arrested. Pregnant at the time, she gave birth to her son, now 33. While at a group home, her adoptive mom helped with caring for the child. Later after marrying Richard Reitsma at 19, while in Quebec they decided to foster, and that’s when they met Maddy —eventually adopting her and moving to BC. Maddy’s story is also featured on our YouTube channel.