PERRYSBURG – Jessie Hogsett has a unique perspective on Reactive Attachment Disorder, widely
considered to be the kiss of death for a successful adoption placement.He was diagnosed with RAD himself as
a young boy."RAD is not a life sentence," Hogsett insists. "I’m trying to get the point
across that just because someone is diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder that they’re not going to
grow up to be sociopath."The California author will be the featured speaker at the Adopt America
Network’s annual Author’s Event. It will be held on Nov. 23, a Saturday, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Funny Bone
Comedy Club at 6140 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg.His book "Detached: Surviving Reactive Attachment
Disorder," tells of his firsthand experience being abused as a child, adopted, and growing up with the
condition, He will share that story, explaining how he eventually overcame RAD, while also giving tips and
suggestions to help those struggling with this issue.The public is invited to join the author for a
discussion, question and answer session, and book-signing. Dessert will be provided, but guests can order
food from the Funny Bone as well.Hogsett was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and was severely abused as a
child. He was put into foster care and, eventually, adopted. But the baggage of his earliest life
experiences followed him and he developed Attachment Disorder. At age 13, Hogsett was finally put into a
residential treatment facility, where he stayed for two years."In Facebooking with parents of children
with RAD, they all seem to have the same idea" – that there is little hope for improvement in these
children who act out, often to the point of becoming a danger to themselves and others around them.Frankly,
Hogsett added, "a lot of the literature out there swings that way. There are not a lot of positive
stories."

A 2011 movie on the subject, "The
Boarder," shows "the worst-case possible scenario. When I went down to preview it, it left me with
the impression that people with RAD are always violent and destructive, and that’s not always the
case."Deep down inside, we all want to be loved and accepted."As a speaker, "my goal is to
give a different insight from the child’s mind of what we’re thinking when we act out."Just one or two
people can make the vital difference in the life of a child diagnosed with Attachment Disorder, Hogsett
says."When I was in residence at 13, there were two people there on staff who I sensed weren’t just
there to earn a paycheck. When I saw they weren’t just giving up and leaving me, I was able to lower my
guard just a little bit, to trust a little."When Hogsett left the facility, at age 15, "I was very
reserved; I still had some of that wall in front of me, but those two staffers made a positive change in my
life." Hogsett decided he would be the one to define the rest of his life.Today, he is proud to call
himself a RAD survivor.Hogsett is earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology, plans a master’s degree and a
career in social work. He’s also writing a second book.He is on the board of directors of PATCHES (Promoting
Attachment for Traumatized Children’s Hearts & Educating Society) and has a family of his
own."I’ve been married since 2003 and I have four girls," ages 12, 7, 4 and 1 1/2. His wife just
gave birth to their son last weekend."I love my kids."He’s speaking of his own five, but also the
many other children with mental health issues that he has worked with over the years.One particular group is
at Hope House, an Idaho-based facility "that deals with failed overseas adoptions" and often
becomes a permanent home to children who go there.Hogsett believes the incidence of RAD is very high in
non-infant foreign adoptees. "I’d say in at least 75 to 80 percent of all overseas adoptions the kids
have RAD" as do perhaps 50 to 60 percent of stateside older adoptees. "In the U.S., we see more
post-traumatic stress disorder, more oppositional defiance" and not quite as many cases of RAD.But the
statistics don’t change one vital truth, says Hogsett:"No matter what your past is – if you’ve been
abused, or whatever, you don’t have to let that define you. You can move on from that and have a
future."The public is invited to hear more of Hogsett’s unique perspective Nov. 23 in
Perrysburg.Tickets to the event are $10 and will benefit Adopt America Network, a national adoption charity
based in Toledo which is dedicated to helping children in the U.S. foster care system find permanent, loving
families. To purchase tickets, call Daphne at 1-800-246-1731.His book is available online and via most
electronic devices, including Kindle, iPad and Nook.