McFadden holds 4-year-old son July Zimmerman in his room at the BG Scholar House where McFadden lives with July and her 8-month-old daughter Amity Lee. The Scholar House provides housing to low-income single parents who want to go to school while raising

Sadie McFadden holds her 4-year-old son July Zimmerman in his room on December 12, 2018, at the BG Scholar House in Bowling Green, Ky.  

Sadie McFadden moved to the  Scholar House in Bowling Green, Ky. in November 2017. The house provides housing for single parents with children while they attend a university full-time. McFadden’s ambition is to be a lactation consultant for other mothers. She hopes to eventually earn enough income to support herself and her two children; although, she worries that she never will. "There are parts of me that I can’t tap into right now because I have to have enough energy for these children" McFadden said. 


In addition to being a single mother, throughout 2018 Sadie recovered from alcohol addiction and the trauma of sexual assault. In 2015, McFadden was raped. This was the third time McFadden said she had experienced sexual abuse, but it was the first time she had experienced it from a stranger. At four years old, McFadden was sexually abused by her mother's boyfriend. This time, McFadden says she did not know what to make of it. 


“How did this keep happening to me? It almost sounds made up" Sadie said.

Sadie McFadden is a mother of two while recovering from a long history of sexual abuse and alcohol addiction. "Just trying to balance being a student and trying to give myself the space that I need for healing from my trauma and growing as a person, that

McFadden works through alcohol addiction recovery, sexual assault recovery and depression as she raises her two children as a single mother in 2018. 

McFadden takes prescription medicine for depression. In 2015, McFadden attempted suicide twice during a three month period following a rape by an acquaintance at a bar. The man had offered her a ride home because she was too intoxicated to drive. Then, he

McFadden takes prescription medicine for depression. Throughout her life, McFadden has struggled with her mental health especially during a short period in 2013 where she attempted suicide twice by cutting. Although she does not know for sure, McFadden expects the depression is related to her experiences with sexual abuse.

McFadden rests while Amity's father Ciqala Lee, 23, gives Amity a pacifier. Amity has still not gone to sleep late in the night and continues to cry.

McFadden plays Guitar Hero with girlfriend Courtney McLaughlin, 24, and son July. McFadden says she does not get much time to herself, but when she can she tries to spend it getting to know Courtney or taking naps. "Taking the time to just shave my legs o

McFadden plays video games with girlfriend Courtney McLaughlin, 24, (left) and son July. McFadden says when she has time to herself, she makes an effort to spend it with Courtney or taking naps.

Zimmerman addresses son July as he gets upset before going to bed. July frequently gets out of bed throughout the night, so it's not easy to get much sleep in, said McFadden. “I can’t sleep unless they’re asleep. If they make one noise I’m wide awake. The

Zimmerman addresses July as he gets upset before going to bed. He frequently gets out of bed throughout the night. “I can’t sleep unless they’re asleep. If they make one noise I’m wide awake." McFadden said. 

McFadden helps son July while he cries at the Tots' Spot in the mall. McFadden says the worst part about being a parent is "just your freedom is gone...You really have to sacrifice a part of yourself. There are parts of me that I can’t tap into right now

McFadden consoles July while he cries at the Tots Spot in Greenwood Mall in Bowling Green, Ky. It is difficult to focus on healing from trauma while being a mother because she puts so much of her energy into taking care of them, McFadden said. “Trying to balance being a student and a full-time mom and trying to give myself the space that I need for healing from my trauma and growing as a person, that’s the most stressful thing," McFadden said. 

McFadden waits for daughter Amity to fall asleep after a long day. “From the outside I'm probably perceived as an adult who has her [stuff] together. Literally I do not. I'm so just making it up as I go along. I still feel like a child," said McFadden.

McFadden waits for Amity to fall asleep in her bedroom. “From the outside I'm probably perceived as an adult who has her [stuff] together," McFadden said, "I still feel like a child." 

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