The gratitude I have for my foster carers

Being put into foster care at the age of ten was the hardest thing that any child should have to go through, but we were one of the lucky ones.  

In November 2012, Pauline and Jimmy gained two new daughters - it was only meant to be short term, but some things don't turn out as planned. After a few years of living with them, my mother passed away. I can only imagine the pain they felt knowing they had to break the hearts of two little girls who had nobody left. I will never forget the morning they told us; it was a school morning and me and my sister were told to come downstairs for a chat. We were sat in the living room and tears filled both Pauline and Jimmy's eyes as the words left their mouth. Everything went silent. That morning, there weren’t only two broken hearts, but four. I'll never forget how supportive they were and if it wasn't for them, I don't think I would have ended up how I have. 

Building a better future

I never got to live the life of a usual child growing up, so when I went to live with Pauline and Jimmy it wasn't easy. Plenty of times, I had them both in tears and probably feeling that they couldn't do this anymore. But no matter how many doors I slammed or how I spoke back, they were determined to love me more and more each day.  

Living with this couple, I was given the best opportunities that any child could have. I went to a grammar school where I came out with A levels, went on holidays every year, had a caravan in Portrush where I made lifelong friends, spent every Christmas with a smile on my face knowing that I had people who loved and cared about me, always had good home cooked meals and lunches prepared for us to take to school. 

Everyone has an opinion on foster children; they think that just because their family failed that they will too. I want to share my story with other children who feel that they are a failure in love because they have had a disadvantage, no family, or have been told by people they aren't good enough. I am living proof that this is not true.  

I am now studying Adult Nursing at Queens University in Belfast, and this would have been impossible without my Mum and Dad beside me. I want to prove to everyone that the past doesn't define who you are and just because you're a foster child it doesn't make you any different. 

Changing lives

Pauline and Jimmy are a strong, supportive, patient, caring, special, trusted, selfless and loving couple who gave me hope in life. They were my anchor who never let me sink no matter how hard things got. The world needs more people like them out there to make a difference to children's lives.  

Thank you for all the good you have brought to this world and are continuing to bring. Thank you for always putting yourself second so that I could be put first. Thank you for becoming a Mum and Dad to me and my sister when you did not need to. Thank you for always treating us like one of your own. Thank you for giving me a place to call home where I knew was safe and that I was loved. I love you both very much and can't thank you enough for the life you gave me.