The Gosselin family drama has been heating up over the past month with half the family (mostly Kate and Mady Gosselin) accusing Collin Gosselin of violent and erratic behavior and the other half (mostly Jon and Hannah Gosselin) defending him as a bright young man who has overcome a troubled childhood.
On Friday (August 4), Collin gained one more supporter and it’s someone who has stayed by his side for nearly a decade – Colleen Conrad. For those who don’t know, she started dating Jon Gosselin (Collin’s father) in 2014 and they remained together for seven years until announcing their split in August 2021.
“I recently learned of derogatory statements made about Collin Gosselin and felt compelled to defend him,” Conrad wrote in a caption on Instagram alongside a photo collage of her and Collin. She described Collin as ‘not only someone I love dearly but has also been a significant figure in my family’s life.’
Jon and Colleen have known each other since they were children and have maintained a friendship even after their separation two years ago. She has played an enormous role in Collin’s life up to this point and he recently praised her as his ‘motivator for being successful in this world’ after graduating high school.
“These statements were made by family members who have been estranged from his life since he was 12,” Conrad wrote on Instagram – noting that he’s ‘currently at boot camp for the Marines’ and is ‘unable to defend himself.’ She goes on to praise Collin for everything he has accomplished in his life thus far.
She highlights the fact that he was institutionalized for three years and only received three visits from his mother. Despite a rough upbringing, he ‘achieved a 4.0 GPA and won the highest GPA award at his ROTC banquet’ and has ‘overcome more challenges than any one person should ever have to endure.’
Conrad also notes that he never talked back to her, was never violent towards her, and is ‘far from being considered dangerous.’ She had the pleasure of seeing him every single day up until he turned 18 years old – he notably lived with her most of his teenage years, even after Colleen and his father separated.
Collin Gosselin is Pursuing His Dream in the Marines
Colleen Conrad went on to praise Collin Gosselin for never giving up in his pursuit of joining the Marines and not allowing his circumstances to stop him from achieving his ultimate dream. He has been off all medication for two years and has been thriving in both school and work to prepare him for this moment.
“He sought private psychiatric evaluations as an adult that disproved all the previous diagnoses. It was his determination that led him to the Marines, where he’s now fulfilling his dream. He wouldn’t be there if he hadn’t proved those diagnoses wrong,” Conrad wrote of his initial psychiatric and behavioral diagnoses.
Even with Collin Gosselin at boot camp, Conrad still communicates with him often through letters. While he admits to boot camp being challenging, his is both happy and proud to be there. Colleen describes him as a ‘testament to strength and courage’ and says she’s honored to have someone like him in her life.
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“Collin will always be part of my family, and I’ll support him, no matter what comes our way. That’s what family does. The truth about Collin’s character deserves praise, not unfounded accusations from those estranged from his life,” she concluded in her message.
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