Danny and Jenny talk about their experience of foster care:
Danny:
“I’d had a difficult time at home with my mum, things were getting out of control and people were noticing, you know, teachers and stuff. So one day, my social worker, Manny, sat me down and chatted with me about moving somewhere else for a while. I didn’t react well to this news and remember shouting at Manny. Looking back, it must’ve been a difficult subject for him to broach with me. I was an angry 15 year old, under pressure to do well in my GCSEs and struggling at home.”
Jenny:
“When Danny arrived at Vin and Liz’s place, I was a bit frightened of him. I was only 7 and had been on my own with them since they fostered me when I was 3; they were my ‘mum’ and ‘dad’.”
Danny:
“Jenny was just a little kid, hiding behind Liz when I arrived. My first foster home and my first experience of having a ‘sister’. She was so sweet and caring. My first evening there and she came and gently offered me one of her teddy bears. I wanted to be big and tough and say I didn’t need a bear, but I took him and still have him to this day. He’s my lucky mascot.”
Jenny:
“I remember Danny being really quiet and spending lots of time in his room. He’d come to the kitchen table for our evening meal and would chat with me about what I’d been doing that day. I grew to like him and he became my big brother. I was so proud to tell my friends all about him.”
Danny:
“So Jenny and I aren’t blood relatives and we’re not related to Vin and Liz, but we’re a family. We care for each other, we all love each other and help each other”
Now aged 26 and a successful business man living in London, Danny continues to support his little sister.
Jenny:
“This coming weekend, Danny’s taking me to look at one of my university choices. We’ll be leaving home quite early on Saturday morning, touring the uni and listening to presentations. Danny said he’d take me to a restaurant for a meal afterwards and I’m really looking forward to spending the day with him.”