Fostering ability
Our story ...32 total reviews
Comment from jessizero
It sounds like Jonathan was very lucky to have you. You finally found a way to be a family, and that's beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story here. Best wishes.
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2022
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It sounds like Jonathan was very lucky to have you. You finally found a way to be a family, and that's beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story here. Best wishes.
Comment Written 25-Mar-2022
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2022
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Thank you very much for your very kind review. I appreciate your thoughts.
Wendy
Comment from Ulla
Hi Wendy, I am so moved. I actually have tears in my eyes as I'm writing this. I can so understand your early frustration and reaction. It must have been so difficult. Yet, it all ended on a happy note you did a fantastic job, and Jonathan became part of the family. This is a virtual six.
Thank you so much for taking part in the contest, and good luck. Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2022
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Hi Wendy, I am so moved. I actually have tears in my eyes as I'm writing this. I can so understand your early frustration and reaction. It must have been so difficult. Yet, it all ended on a happy note you did a fantastic job, and Jonathan became part of the family. This is a virtual six.
Thank you so much for taking part in the contest, and good luck. Ulla:)))
Comment Written 25-Mar-2022
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2022
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Thank you for such a beautiful review - and thank you for the contest! Families are all different, all equally valid. I appreciate so much your lovely comments.
Wendy
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
This may be a winner--raw and real--you pull no punches revealing yourself going out of control due to lack of sleep amidst his maddening howling. A heartwarming story--a welcome twist from the unremittingly saintly sort of adoptive parents.
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2022
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This may be a winner--raw and real--you pull no punches revealing yourself going out of control due to lack of sleep amidst his maddening howling. A heartwarming story--a welcome twist from the unremittingly saintly sort of adoptive parents.
Comment Written 25-Mar-2022
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2022
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Thank you Liz. I tried to be honest- it was difficult and I didn?t always act well, especially when pushed to the limit. But the outcomes were enriching. It was difficult to be constrained to a low word limit as I could write a book about our experiences ( even just about the bureaucracy!)
Many thanks.
Wendy
Comment from K.L. Rockquemore
This is an incredibly powerful story. You are tremendously special people to care for the disabled. It takes a certain kind of person that has a heart full of love to cope and overcome the trials and tribulations that accompany that decision. Thank you for sharing this story it has served as a reminder that good people still live in this world.
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2022
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This is an incredibly powerful story. You are tremendously special people to care for the disabled. It takes a certain kind of person that has a heart full of love to cope and overcome the trials and tribulations that accompany that decision. Thank you for sharing this story it has served as a reminder that good people still live in this world.
Comment Written 25-Mar-2022
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2022
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Thank you for your lovely review - so encouraging and supportive. Really we were just normal people trying to do our best for him. It was enriching, looking back. At the time it was often hard and lonely.
Wendy
Comment from LJbutterfly
I admire your compassion, bravery, and stamina. It is not easy caring for a severely disabled child. Lying Jonathan on his stomach to reduce wild laughter was a genius idea. I'm glad to read he is happy and fulfilled in a group home.
A little nit: We learnt to never judge
We learned to appreciate life (2 different spellings)
Best wishes in the contest.
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2022
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I admire your compassion, bravery, and stamina. It is not easy caring for a severely disabled child. Lying Jonathan on his stomach to reduce wild laughter was a genius idea. I'm glad to read he is happy and fulfilled in a group home.
A little nit: We learnt to never judge
We learned to appreciate life (2 different spellings)
Best wishes in the contest.
Comment Written 25-Mar-2022
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2022
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Thanks so much for your super review! Greatly appreciated. Thanks too for the pick up. While both forms are accepted in Australia I need to be consistent, so have made the change. That?s great that you noticed and the sort of help which is important for writing to be good. Thank you again.
Wendy
Comment from Theodore McDowell
Great for the contest. You are an AMAZING person, Wendy, as is the young man and your other children. Poignant and moving post. Well done. Good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2022
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Great for the contest. You are an AMAZING person, Wendy, as is the young man and your other children. Poignant and moving post. Well done. Good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 25-Mar-2022
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2022
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Thank you for your VERY encouraging review and good wishes. I appreciate all your support. Thank you for the honour of six stars too. Greatly valued.
Wendy
Comment from Anne Johnston
God bless you, Wendy, for taking on this difficult assignment. It seems like God picked you to be the one to help this boy. No everyone is cut out to deal with a child with disabilities. I am so glad you persevered and found a way to get over the hurdles. Very well written.
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2022
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God bless you, Wendy, for taking on this difficult assignment. It seems like God picked you to be the one to help this boy. No everyone is cut out to deal with a child with disabilities. I am so glad you persevered and found a way to get over the hurdles. Very well written.
Comment Written 25-Mar-2022
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2022
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Thank you so much for your great encouragement Anne! It was not an easy time but we do believe it was directed by the Lord.
Wendy
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You are welcome, Wendy.
Comment from juliaSjames
Dear Wendy
I know your words are restricted by the contest requirements. But if there's time, I suggest cutting the "tough and tattooed" section which is more about social prejudice than about adoption, and adding a few lines about the decision to foster. Did the family have a say? Were they all willing? Because this was an extreme decision.
Also, did your husband take turns caring for Jonathan at night?
These queries/suggestions apart, I can't tell you how much I admire you for helping and loving a child with so many issues who wasn't your own by birth. People like you are born with big hearts. And thank God for that!
My late husband's niece gave birth to a son without an anus who had to undergo multiple surgeries and will still have to use an ostomy bag for life. She and her husband cope beautifully with him , his younger sister, and the little boy they adopted last year. But then she's the same sweet girl who took in a street dog whilst working in Rwanda and brought her back to the UK.
Best of luck in the voting booth, Wendy G.. May God continue to bless you, your family, and Jonathan.
Stay safe
Julia
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2022
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Dear Wendy
I know your words are restricted by the contest requirements. But if there's time, I suggest cutting the "tough and tattooed" section which is more about social prejudice than about adoption, and adding a few lines about the decision to foster. Did the family have a say? Were they all willing? Because this was an extreme decision.
Also, did your husband take turns caring for Jonathan at night?
These queries/suggestions apart, I can't tell you how much I admire you for helping and loving a child with so many issues who wasn't your own by birth. People like you are born with big hearts. And thank God for that!
My late husband's niece gave birth to a son without an anus who had to undergo multiple surgeries and will still have to use an ostomy bag for life. She and her husband cope beautifully with him , his younger sister, and the little boy they adopted last year. But then she's the same sweet girl who took in a street dog whilst working in Rwanda and brought her back to the UK.
Best of luck in the voting booth, Wendy G.. May God continue to bless you, your family, and Jonathan.
Stay safe
Julia
Comment Written 25-Mar-2022
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2022
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Thank you for a wonderful review, and a wise and thoughtful suggestion. We are out most of the weekend so I will get back later to the piece. Quick answers. Yes, it was a family decision and each was interviewed separately during the year long training process. I could perhaps add it to the notes. No, my husband never got up as he sleeps very deeply (even through a cyclone once!) but he was supportive in other ways. He never heard any of our three as babies during the night either!
Thanks again.
Wendy
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My husband never woke when the children cried at night. There were breastfed babies so I would wake him to me a cup of tea.. Lol
Comment from royowen
I can remember that friends of ours have not only fostered but inevitably been able to adopt their young charges, give a child a much deserved home. In scripture of course, despite not being natural children of God, He adopts us as His natural children, raising and adopting us sons with full rights as His own. Beautifully written Wendy, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2022
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I can remember that friends of ours have not only fostered but inevitably been able to adopt their young charges, give a child a much deserved home. In scripture of course, despite not being natural children of God, He adopts us as His natural children, raising and adopting us sons with full rights as His own. Beautifully written Wendy, blessings Roy
Comment Written 25-Mar-2022
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2022
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Thank you Roy. Yes, there is a lovely parallel with what God does.
I appreciate your support.
Wendy
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Yes indeed
Comment from zanya
Wow an account of fostering and the challenges it may bring but also a powerful story of a life experience - such compassion and caring shine out from this account -well done to you and your family for such alruism
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2022
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Wow an account of fostering and the challenges it may bring but also a powerful story of a life experience - such compassion and caring shine out from this account -well done to you and your family for such alruism
Comment Written 25-Mar-2022
reply by the author on 25-Mar-2022
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Thank you Zanya, for a lovely review, and encouraging and thoughtful comments. Thank you also for the greatly valued honour of six stars. All much appreciated.
Wendy