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.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Vacant apartment building total loss after Saturday morning fire
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – A building in the vacant Riverside Terrace Apartments complex was extremely damaged in a major fire on Saturday morning. According to the Dayton Fire Department, crews were dispatched to the area of Ridge Avenue and N. Main Street for a possible structure fire at 4:53 a.m. Crews found heavy fire conditions in a two-story vacant apartment building at the 1900 block of Riverside Drive. All fire suppression operations were from a defensive position on the exterior of the structure because of the advanced fire conditions and the possibility of collapse. The DFD said there were no injuries on the scene. The structure is considered a total loss. The Incident Commander has called for an emergency demolition. The cause of the fire is currently under active investigation by the DFD Fire Investigations Unit. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Fire Investigators at 937-333-TIPS (8477) or Miami Valley Crime Stoppers at 937-222-STOP (7867). DFD crews spent approximately four hours working on the scene. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Firefighters respond to reported apartment fire in Dayton
Firefighters responded to a reported apartment fire in Dayton early Saturday morning. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Around 4:48 a.m., crews were dispatched to the 1900 block of Riverside Drive on reports of a structure fire. TRENDING STORIES: Heroic local pharmacist saves 2 lives in one shift Local officer resigns after OVI arrest Bear breaks into nursing home, gets into residents' beds According to a Montgomery County Regional Dispatch Sergeant, the structure appears to be an apartment building. Emergency Scanner Traffic indicates there is heavy fire coming from the attic and roof area. It is unclear if anyone was inside the apartment building at the time of the fire. News Center 7 is working to learn more. We will update this developing story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Child flown to hospital following Greene Co. crash
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — A juvenile was flown to the hospital after a crash in Greene County Thursday evening. The Ohio State Highway Patrol Xenia Post is investigating a single-vehicle crash that occurred around 7 p.m. in the 4200 block of Hussey Road. Investigation revealed a 2021 Ford Escape was traveling eastbound when the vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a fence and hit a child in the front yard. OSP dispatchers confirmed one child was flown to Dayton Children's with serious injuries. The crash remains under investigation by the Xenia Post at this time. OSP was assisted on scene by the Greene County Sheriff's Office, Jefferson Township Fire Department. 2 NEWS is working to learn more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
