I was lucky enough to interview Cathy, who
is a foster carer and has been for the past 25 years. Her experiences with the
foster care system are so astounding, it is no wonder she decided to write
about them. As a means to raise public awareness about the many children who
suffer and are let down by the system, Cathy has written 10 books highlighting
her life with the children she fostered and is in the process of publishing an eleventh
one.
“I find writing cathartic – as do many – so
it was the medium I turned to when I was trying to come to terms with the
dreadful experiences of some of the children I’d fostered,” Cathy explains her
first impulse to compose her stories.
Being a part of the foster care system for
so long, Cathy verbalized her opinions on what should be changed about the
system. Her ideas include pressurizing powers that be for more funding, as well
as making the system more transparent with less meetings behind closed doors.
“If concerns are raised about a child, and
the parents aren’t in when the social worker visits or the child isn’t there,
make a return visit ASAP. Talk to the child alone. I have been appalled by the
number of emails and letters I’ve received since from adults who were abused as
children and couldn’t understand why help never arrived, or why they weren’t
listened to. A child in care always spends time alone with their social worker
when they visit – the foster carer leaves the room. It is absolutely essential
when concerns are raised and the child is still at home that the social worker
speaks to the child alone,” remarks Cathy.
Along with these arguments, Cathy wishes
foster carers were more informed about the child, and have their opinions and
concerns taken seriously.
Despite these flaws in the system, Cathy
encourages others to open their arms to children in need.
“If you love children and have space in
your home and heart for one more then I suggest you think about fostering. Fostering
is very demanding but the rewards are never ending,” states Cathy. Admitting
that foster caring is time consuming, Cathy makes it clear it may be difficult
to foster a child along with having a separate job, but adds that part-time
jobs are usually acceptable.
The connections built between the foster
carer and child are often great, and although it is tough to say goodbye, many
children keep in touch. In fact, Cathy has updates for several of the children
she wrote about on her website, www.cathyglass.co.uk
Speaking of those children, I questioned Cathy
on how she picked which ones to write about. She explains each child has their
own sad story, yet many of them have similar experiences and conform to ‘a norm’.
Cathy chooses a child whose story is representative of a group and who is of
interest to readers. She adds she also looks for a “story that has something to
say about our society and the way we protect (or fail to protect) our children.”
I closed the interview asking Cathy which 3
people, dead or alive, she would most want to meet. Jesus of Nazareth, Jane
Austen and Charlotte Bronte were her picks.
I am so grateful for
Cathy’s generosity, and wish her the best. For any additional information on
Cathy Glass and her books, visit her website: www.cathyglass.co.uk
“Fostering
is about giving a child or children love, care and opportunities they might not
otherwise have had. It is about making a difference.” –Cathy Glass
-Oceane
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