By NATALIE GALLENTI
RAELENE Healy and her husband Stephen are one couple determined to help children in need.
The Hillside couple have been foster carers for 14 years and have opened their home to well over 50 children and adolescents during that time – and Raelene wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I can’t say no when there are children out there that need my help,” she told Star.
The mother-of-four presently has eight children living at her home including two toddlers.
“It’s so wonderful… we love it, it’s great. My kids have learnt so much about life and what other children have gone through.”
But she admits, it’s not always a bed of roses.
“You have to be patient … these kids come with a lot of baggage.
“You just have to not expect anything. Every child is different.”
Raelene said saying goodbye to children she had cared for took a toll on the family and always left her in tears.
“The hardest thing is to say goodbye… you have your tears and your grieving. But I wouldn’t change it… who else is going to do it? I always think, if we don’t do it, who will?”
The devoted mother and carer has no plans of giving up and encourages other families to give it a go.
“There are so many rewarding factors… some children have attachment issues, it’s a breakthrough when they finally say ‘I love you’,” she said.
“It’s all about love, understanding and patience and showing them that life isn’t that bad, it can be good.”
Baptcare is urgently seeking a diverse range of compassionate members of the community to become foster carers.
Anyone interested should contact the organisation for a confidential discussion about the flexible range of care options available to suit your lifestyle. Call (03) 9373 3800, or visit Baptcare’s foster care blog, @http://fostercareinfo.wordpress.com/.
