At Foster Wales Swansea, we often hear the same question from people who have so much love to give: “Can I foster if I have a disability or a health condition?”
Many people self-disqualify before they even pick up the phone, worried that their personal challenges might hold them back. However, if you ask Karen and Tony, they’ll tell you that having a disability isn’t a barrier, it’s a strength that helps them connect with young people in a way others may not be able to.
how we started our journey to becoming foster carers
For Karen, the desire to help was always there. “my mum was a brownie leader, and she always loved to help people” she remembers. “I always remember wanting to help and foster.” for Tony, it was about making their home feel complete, they both felt they were “missing out” and simply wanted a bigger family, but they also had a strong desire to share their family life with young people who need it most.
Like many people, they had questions: can you foster if you have a disability or a long-term health condition?
real support from foster wales swansea
Karen was deaf long before they began their fostering journey, so they already knew about the power of adapting. “I was honest about my hearing from the start,” she says. “I told the Foster Wales Swansea team what I needed, I need to see people’s mouths when they are talking so I can lip-read and that’s exactly what happened during the assessment.”
When tony was diagnosed with MS during their fostering journey, it was a major life event for them both, but instead of a “no”, they found empathy. “Foster Wales Swansea treated me so well,” Tony explains. “They asked the questions they needed to make sure I was still able to foster, and they were happy for us to continue as foster carers. They knew we were a team.”
Karen and Tony say their disability is a strength in fostering
Karen and tony have found that their own life challenges help them walk in a child’s shoes.
“Having a disability helps,” says Karen.
“It gives me an understanding of how it feels to be treated differently, just like some children in care are. I can put myself in their shoes because I’ve faced my own challenges.”
Tony agrees, finding that his journey with MS has only increased his empathy. “It doesn’t stop me from playing with the kids, I’m doing more than ever now! me and Karen make a great team; we bounce off each other perfectly.”
the greatest reward: just pick up the phone
For Karen and Tony, the rewards are found in the small moments.
“My biggest reward is seeing how far my little girl has come and watching her thrive is everything,” Karen beams. For Tony, the feeling is the same: “seeing the children move into a better life… we absolutely love it.”
If you’re wondering if you can foster whilst having a disability, they have one piece of advice: ‘’Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and ask.’’
“Go for it,” says Karen. “Be honest about your condition, ask for what you need, and take the support that’s offered. don’t be afraid to ask for help, our social worker is only a phone call away.”
ready to start your fostering journey?
At Foster Wales Swansea, we need people from all walks of life. If you have the space in your heart and your home, your unique experience might be exactly what a local child needs. Reach out to our team today for a friendly, no-pressure chat.
