A woman who has suffered more than 300 broken bones has had her lifelong dream come true right before Christmas.
Hayley Finch was diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a genetic bone disorder commonly known as brittle bone disease, before she was born and has suffered more than 300 broken bones due to her skeleton being softer than it should be. Chatting to the ECHO, she joked the only bone she hasn't broken was her jaw because she gives it "too much exercise talking".
While Hayley had decided never to have children of her own to prevent passing her condition on, she still dreamed of becoming a mum. The 32-year-old's own parents had fostered children, building lasting relationships with youngsters who came into their care - and in March 2020 Hayley decided to take the leap to become a foster-to-adopt carer herself.
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Before Hayley knew it she was fostering Sheila* with her parents after she was placed in foster care at just seven weeks old. When plans fell through for Sheila to be placed with another family, Hayley asked the social worker if she could be considered to adopt her.
Hayley said: "My parents have been fostering for 10 years now. When they first started, I was still living at home, so I saw first-hand what fostering was like. I formed really positive relationships with their foster children and was there to lend a helping hand or a listening ear. Six years ago we decided as a family, to adopt one little boy, Richard*, who is now my youngest brother.
"In March 2020, I decided that I wanted to become a ‘foster-to-adopt’ carer - this was partly due to me being single and partly due to my condition. I didn’t want to risk passing on OI to a child and wanted to be in the best possible health when a child arrived.
"Sheila had been placed in foster care with my parents at 7 weeks old and an amazing bond developed between her and the whole family. Originally, there had been plans for Sheila to be placed with another family but this fell through. As soon as I heard this, I approached her social worker and asked if I could be considered to adopt her. This would allow continuity for Sheila as my family’s the only family she’d ever known, she is such a big part of our lives and we love her very much.
"Foster to adopt places children with foster carers who have been approved to adopt. I became a foster carer and Sheila came to live with me as a foster child in November 2021, while I went through the adoption process to make everything permanent and provide continuity and stability for her.
"The most important day of my life was when I was approved as an adoptive parent and matched with Sheila – I was so overjoyed, nervous and excited about the prospect of Sheila being with me forever. It was the best day ever."
If you would like to make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people in your local community by becoming a foster carer, visit National Fostering Group.
*The childrens' names have been changed for safeguarding reasons.
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