Mom of 6 adopted kids advocates for children in foster system
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Each Tuesday in March, WDTN is highlighting local women who make an impact in their community through our Remarkable Women Initiative.
As the mom of six special needs kids, Rachel Selby is making big strides advocating for foster children and kids with disabilities throughout Ohio.
'I have a pretty awesome family and it's pretty unique. I'm a single mom with six kids, and I've had the privilege and honor of adopting these children,' said Selby.
SEE MORE: Remarkable Women of Dayton 2025
Selby describes her household as loud, busy and full of love. Her journey here was not exactly what she planned, but she wouldn't have it any other way.
'I initially was thinking maybe one baby straight from the hospital,' said Selby. 'It was opening my eyes to the great need out there to the foster care system, of how many children don't have a home.'
Selby began fostering in 2009, and since then she has finalized adoptions of six children, all of them with special needs.
'I think special needs children can be often misunderstood. I think we as a society is general are pretty accepting, but we spend so much time trying to teach special needs children how to interact with typical peers. And I really think it could be the other way around,' said Selby.
After an eye-opening experience to the problems with the foster care system, Selby became an advocate for foster and special needs kids in Ohio.
'You know, children, they can't speak for themselves and they can't band together to be heard,' said Selby. 'They don't have a voice in the political arena, and that's so important to me and I'm passionate about it.'
Selby is part of a non-partisan organization called Ohio Kids First, working with both sides of the aisle to be a voice for children. Currently, the organization is working on childcare access and making it more affordable for families.
Selby's friend Pam says Rachel is one of a kind, and a truly remarkable woman.
'Her family adventures make you laugh at times, they make you cry at times, and it gets even more exciting when you hear how she puts her political science skills to work, focusing on legal strategies to combat child abuse,' said Pam Hagwood, Selby's friend. 'Rachel has the energy of ten people. She's very kind and welcoming. She's the calm in the storm. She's smart as a fox.'
But Selby doesn't see herself as any more remarkable than anyone else. In fact, one of the most important things she tells her kids is that each person is special.
'Everybody has been blessed with a gift. Everyone is good at something,' said Selby. 'And to find out what that is and to explore it and to do well with it, to serve others, that's so important to me.'
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