Book description
A new memoir from Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author
Cathy Glass, now with an exclusive preview of Cathy's inspiring new
title, Please Don't Take My Baby, coming out on April 25th.
Eight-year-old Aimee was on the child protection register at birth. Her
five older siblings were taken into care many years ago. So no one can
understand why she was left at home to suffer for so long. It seems
Aimee was forgotten.
The social services are looking for a very experienced foster carer to
look after Aimee and, when she reads the referral, Cathy understands
why. Despite her reservations, Cathy agrees to Aimee on - there is
something about her that reminds Cathy of Jodie (the subject of
'Damaged' and the most disturbed child Cathy has cared for), and reading
the report instantly tugs at her heart strings.
When she arrives, Aimee is angry. And she has every right to be. She
has spent the first eight years of her life living with her
drug-dependent mother in a flat that the social worker described as 'not
fit for human habitation'. Aimee is so grateful as she snuggles into her
bed at Cathy's house on the first night that it brings Cathy to tears.
Aimee's aggressive mother is constantly causing trouble at contact, and
makes sweeping allegations against Cathy and her family in front of her
daughter as well. It is a trying time for Cathy, and it makes it
difficult for Aimee to settle. But as Aimee begins to trust Cathy, she
starts to open up. And the more Cathy learns about Aimee's life before
she came into care, the more horrified she becomes.
It's clear that Aimee should have been rescued much sooner and as her
journey seems to be coming to a happy end, Cathy can't help but reflect
on all the other 'forgotten children' that are still suffering…
REVIEWS FOR DAMAGED:
'Cannot fail to move those who read it.'
Adoption-net
'Heartbreaking.'
Mirror
'A truly harrowing read that made me cry.'
Sun
'A true tale of hope. ****.'
OK!
'Foster carers rarely get the praise they deserve, but Cathy Glass's
book should change all that.****'
First magazine
'A hugely touching and emotional true tale.'
Star magazine Cathy has been a foster carer for over 20 years, during
which time she has looked after more than 75 children, of all ages and
backgrounds. Cathy runs training courses on fostering for her local
Social Services, and helps draft new fostering procedures and
guidelines. She has three teenage children of her own; one of whom was
adopted after a long-term foster placement. The name Cathy Glass is a
pseudonym.
