Kim Shears

I had always been reluctant to foster a child with disabilities as I didn’t feel that I had the relevant experience.

Little did I know though, my first experience of fostering would reverse my opinion emphatically.

I started caring for a new-born baby who, as he grew older, had difficulties lifting his head and learning to speak. He was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

We very much grew together, learning from each other what worked. Although I get ongoing training and support from Essex County Council the child themselves is often the best teacher. I’ve learnt over the years that what works for one child does not necessarily work for another, even if they have the same disability.

As he grew older, my foster child developed such a wicked sense of humour and was so determined to achieve everything he set his mind to. Helping a child focus on the things that they can do, as opposed to the things they can’t do, has had a really positive influence on our own approach to life.

I feel that my six children have massively benefited from this experience. They have grown up to be much more compassionate and understanding of other people’s needs.

When we first discussed the idea of fostering their initial response was “We’re such a big family already that having one or two extra children won’t matter!”.

For me, I’d worked with children for a long time and the nursery I worked at was owned by a foster carer, so it was always in the back of my mind as something I wanted to pursue. But I was unsure how they would respond, and I was quite overwhelmed with how positively they did.

This experience with my first foster child showed me that fostering more children with disabilities was the right thing to do.

I now have two girls, both with cerebral palsy, who require full time care to get them washed, dressed and fed. Although they cannot walk its amazing what they can achieve if given the same opportunities as an able-bodied child. We have even taken them surfing! I have to be a little more resourceful than usual but its certainly worth it to see the smiles on the face.

I don’t see them as children with disabilities, but just children. And my family is giving them what all children deserve – a happy childhood.

Find out more by visiting www.essexadoptionandfostering.co.uk/fostering. The phone line is also still open: 0800 801 530.