I was looking around on Youtube last night and I found this video that horrified me. Alecia Pennington is unable to prove that she is a citizen of the US because her parents did not file for a birth certificate for her, they did not get her a Social Security card and they did not get her any kind of state identification. To make matters worse, she never went to public school or a hospital, so there is no identification that she can get there either. Basically, it is as if she never existed. It horrifies me because I had a very similar story.
What It’s Like To Get ID When You Have No ID: My Story
Many of you may notice that I never post about my parents on here. That is because my dad is deceased and I have been estranged from my mom for years. There are many reasons and I like to keep it positive, But here is one of them.
I left home shortly after I turned 18. I never had a Social Security Card, a birth certificate, a learner’s permit or any form of state ID. My mother would say she would get them for me, but she never did. So, the summer after I graduated high school, I found myself in a position where I could not get a job, I could not rent a place, I could not get a Learner’s permit or a state ID. I couldn’t even get food stamps. Why? Because of my having no ID.
So, I ended up living in a hostel house {homeless shelter} for about a month while I tried to figure out what to do to support myself. The man who ran the shelter told me that they contacted my parents who were still refusing to provide any ID for me. So, he called the school that I attended and a bunch of government agencies to figure out what to do to get me some ID. This took a lot of work and a lot of time {weeks} and it was through no fault of my own.
Luckily, I had purchased a wallet size copy of my high school diploma. It turns out that the diploma could be used to get my Social Security card {I think we also sent my school records – thank goodness I graduated}. Had I not gone to public school, I would probably have been in the same position as the girl in the Youtube video. Within a few days of getting my Social Security card, I was able to then get a job and an apartment and I took a taxi to work and got rides from friends. Within a few months I saved up for a car and got my license.
My Story Has A Happy Ending
Because of the help that I was given from Hostel of the Good Shepherd {now called Galax Hope House} in Galax, Va., I now am a home owner, I am a college graduate and I have worked at several awesome jobs. I also have a couple of nice cars and I am happily married. I get the luxury of working from home as a blogger. I also have bank accounts. I went on a cruise recently and I have a passport. I vote. These are all things you can’t do when you have no ID.
Of course her dad wants to let us all know that he is the real victim here. I am guessing that in 19 years of life, he never could find a few moments to get Alecia even one piece of identification? Whatever. His video is above if you want to waste 1 minute and 41 seconds of your life, listening to what I feel is just a PR cover up and him trying to rewrite history.
My daughter is 17 and has a license, a car, her Social Security card, her birth certificate and we will be getting her a passport shortly. Somehow, in 17 years, we found the time to get all this done. I never want my daughter to be in the same situation I was in or in the situation Alecia Pennington is now in. Why? Because I love my child. And it’s my job.
So How Can We Help This Girl?
I don’t know. My recommendation would be a homeless shelter, just because that is what worked for me. I am hoping that one of you smart individuals reading this has other solutions to offer. She should not be deprived of a happy life because of her parents decisions. If you have any suggestions at all, please leave them below.
What an incredible story. Those parents must feel terrible about all this.
They don’t seem to right now. They seem to be just blaming her for it. Hopefully one day they will see the light.
After a reply the victim’s mother wrote on web, some people anger with it,I believe someone will help or her relationship may help.
That’s terrible. Doesn’t a hospital automatically create a birth certificate for each baby born there? I would think the girl could go back to the hospital and start there. What an awful story, but I’m glad yours has a happy ending.
She wasn’t born in a hospital – she was born at home with a midwife. It honestly seems like they did everything they could to make sure there was no trace of her.
It makes it seem like she was kidnapped or something. I guess that isn’t the case, since they have a ton of kids, all with no identification, from what I am gathering reading online. One report said like 4 out of 5 adult children are living at home – all with no licenses. I wonder why?
Oh my goodness that is really scary, I couldn’t imagine. I am so thankful that there was a happy ending.
The more I learn about you, the prouder I am of you. I was lucky. My parents have always been there for me. I can’t imagine not having that support in my life and I don’t know how I would have turned out without it. Ever since we met in Upward Bound, I have known that you are a very determined unique individual. Now knowing some of your past, I realize that you are an extraordinary person. You are successful, a wonderful mom and an amazing friend. Thank you for being part of my life. I’m so blessed to have you as a friend. 😀
Oh man, Johnetta, that was just the nicest thing to say. Our pasts do not define us – that’s for sure. And I hope this girl is able to get out of this mess that she couldn’t have made for herself.
I am blessed to have you as a part of my life, too. 🙂
Incredible Story Indeed. I’m wondering how that vital Process slipped her Parents. It must have been so hard literally just being there and not being able to do things
Wow what an incredible story. I feel bad for this girl . I am however so happy your story had a happy ending.
Me too. Thank you so much. I hope that hers does, too. These parents should be ashamed of themselves.
I’ve been following this story. It’s so sad that parents abuse the power they have in our lives. I’m glad your story turned out well though.
Thank you very much. It’s just not right that someone could have that much power over someone else.
It is so sad that this could happen to anyone. What a terrible situation for this poor girl.
Wow I can’t imagine how this could have happened. I thought at the hospital they made you fill out birth records. I feel so bad for the girl. As parents it is our responsibilty to bring our children up the right way. I think this a major fail on the dad’s part.
It is my understanding that she was born at home with a midwife present. So, I guess that is why no birth records was ever made. Sad.
Wow this is a very scary story! I hope that somehow she can get some help to be able to prove that she is an American!
The way to get those things (birth certificate etc) is bassically the same way you did…. through a caring individual (an advocate) or friend or someone connected to an agency that can help. With your parents, it sounds like more of a refusal to provide info which is horrible as your Mom knew the havoc it would create. You likely ‘had all of those things, just she wouldnt provide them and you had to get duplicates of it all.
For the other young lady, she would have to find the same, she would have to be brave, and seek out someone who can walk her through getting these things. Even home births though do have records, or they are supposed to file a live birth with the county it occurred in. It is actually against the law not to file a live birth. It seems she was in a cult situation which in and of itself is sad, very sad. I went to her facebook page and it appears she is getting some help.
I am so sorry you yourself had to go through these hassles, but you came out strong and determined. Often adversities shape our lives in ways we dont realize until we are much older.
You are right. Her situation is definitely more complicated. Mine was difficult enough. I can’t imagine what a tough time she is having. I am glad some people are stepping up to help now.
I feel sad for the people who are sticking up for the parents around the web. It’s really easy to not see the severity of a situation when you have the luxury of it never happening to you {in general, not “you” you, lol}. People often want others to be quiet and suffer in silence about situations they don’t deem serious just because it doesn’t affect them.
I did see on Yahoo news last night that perhaps the midwife either didn’t file the paperwork for the live birth or she was not a real midwife {both illegal} and the parents didn’t follow up. Here is some more info on that if anyone wants to read it. http://news.yahoo.com/alecia-pennington-cant-prove-shes-american-even-exists-150312826.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory&soc_trk=tw
Wow, I’ve never heard of this happening to anyone before, but I can see how easy it is for someone to slip through the cracks.
I had no idea things like this happened in these times. I thought this was only back in the early days. The first thing I did when my kids were born was to get them a social security card and they all have passports. My toddler got hers when she was only 2 months old. It saddens me to hear this, I hope her story has a happy ending.
It is a very old christian talk which has been happening for at least two centuries. Triple six mystery, isn’t it?
I have read that in brief. After I clear the language trap via many ways,then Read the first chapter again, What will be happened if Adam and Eva decided not to eat the apple? This is the question.
It looks like author’s parent knows how to play the “game” as she has left a very small clue in governmental registered high school so to make something possible. The man helped knows if school reconigzes the thing, then in governmental terms,The person is technically proven as citizen as only outsiders require ID card when register even without know the exact date of birth as the application form should be filled and signed by author’s parent and approved by school.
P.S
Control is still hot topic. US and some countries purposed all people must have ID. But being denied because of control but repack with something like Social Security Number against tax evasion so technically, ID is successfully introduced.
I think the case is tricker than author’s. Perhaps victim needs to find a strong party to discuss with midwife, grandparents and father, I personally think.
Oh my gosh. How overwhelming and sad. I can’t even imagine on any level what I would do.
This makes me ill. I am so sorry you had to go through a similar situation, but I am glad your story had a happy ending. It’s amazing that parents don’t do the basic things that allow their children to function in life.
Wow, so crazy that someone else can have so much power over another person- hopefully those parents will come to some realization one day…just…wow.
I know! No one should ever be able to make such life altering decisions in another person’t life.
What were those parents thinking? I feel sorry for the girl.
Wow! I had no idea that could happen. SO glad that you are sharing your story and hers to help others.
This is a crazy story. I am glad you were able to get the help that you needed, and I hope this person does too.
I just can not imagine parents not getting their child the tools to survive and create their own life. This is just disgusting.