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SALT LAKE CITY — Luka is a 17-year-old who has a passion for the performing arts.
"I like to write and sing and perform," he said.
On Wednesday at the Repertory Dance Theater in Salt Lake City, there was no audience to watch Luka, he was dancing for peace of mind.
"Even before I went into foster care, I was always moving around, so I had really bad social skills when I was little," he said. "I like dancing because there is a lot of times when I get nervous and stutter and things. Sometimes words can't express a lot and they're very limited."
Peace of mind doesn't always come, but dancing keeps Luka in the moment instead of focusing on the past.
"When you grow up the way I did, (there are) a lot of the things you don't realize are wrong; you just realize that they're happening," he said.
Luka's been in foster care for six long years, and as his time in the system grows short, he now faces life as an adult without a family.
"When I'm in college and I decide I just want somewhere to go for Christmas, who am I going to call?" he asked.
Because no matter how good he becomes at performing, there are times you still need words to ask for a helping hand.
"I can do things for myself, but I would just like someone to be there when I can't," Luka said.
To learn more about Luka, contact the Utah Adoption Exchange at 801-264-0444.
