Every morning Christina* and Jason* awake to Lachlan’s* little footsteps running down the hallway before he hops into their bed.
“He gives big cuddles and he’s like, ‘I love you, Mummy and Daddy’,” Christina smiles.
Two-and-a-half-years ago, Christina and Jason’s hearts expanded with love when they began fostering Lachlan with Wesley Foster Care in Ballina.
“He’s just the most loving little man,” Christina says. “Anyone that’s upset, he’ll go give them a cuddle and ask if they’re okay,” Christina says.
A new start
Lachlan, who’s been in foster care since he was born, entered Christina and Jason’s care on a long-term placement at just two years old. And their bond was immediate. “We were instantly just Mum and Dad,” Christina says. And that bond grows every day.
“He brings so much joy to our lives… he’s made us kind of look at the world out of a different view.”
Whether they’re having dance parties or family picnics in the lounge room, every day brings a sense of adventure. But alongside these adventures have been significant challenges.
Diagnosed with autism and foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), Lachlan was born with significant brain damage. Since starting occupational and speech therapies, Lachlan has grown from strength to strength.
“He’s come so far in the last two-and-a-half years, says Christina. “His emotional regulation is always going to be a big thing. But he can tell us how he’s feeling now.”
Committed to care
Christina and Jason say they’ve found the strength to navigate these challenges thanks to Wesley Foster Care’s support.
“It can be very difficult at times but with the right support, it is a lot easier,” Christina says.
From organising doctors to autism and FASD training and financial aid, Christina is thankful for the support they’ve received from their Wesley Foster Care Case Manager, Adam. And knowing that Adam and the whole team at Wesley Foster Care Ballina are just a phone call away, gives Christina peace of mind that support is always available.
“We’re very much appreciative of everything that they’ve done, and we couldn’t ask for a better team.”
Every Saturday when Christina and Jason take Lachlan to ballet lessons, Christina is filled with pride as she watches Lachlan become his own little person.
“We just hope that he knows that he’s loved, he’s safe and he can be himself without any judgement from us,” says Christina.
*Names and photo changed to protect privacy.
