Margaret is extremely humble, so would shy away from the title angel, but there are few words that describe this incredible woman. Inspirational, heroine, selfless, superwoman; would also do!
Margaret has been fostering children for 60 years, both disabled and able-bodied. Along with raising four biological children, Margaret has cared for 182 children over this time. While many came and went, she cared for each of them as her own, with the passion and heart of a doting mother. Her commitment and kindness for children in need is nothing short of extraordinary!
While she admits she wonders how she managed for all those years, Margaret would not change it for the world.
“At one stage I had three in wheelchairs and four under two years old, it was a crazy house…but I’ve enjoyed it, I’ve got no regrets at all.”
Margaret decided to start fostering children with disabilities when she heard an ad on the radio, she grew up with a sister with intellectual disabilities so was confident she would be able to help. Then, when her youngest biological son was 14 years old, he encouraged Margaret to start fostering children with physical disabilities too.
“I heard on the radio one morning that they were having trouble getting foster parents for disabled kids, and I thought ‘I could do that.’
Then, years later, they were after a home for a child in a wheelchair. And my son said, “Mum, why don’t you do it? You can do it.’”
The rest is history.
Two of Margaret’s foster children, Michael and Shani-Lee, live with severe physical disabilities and have been in her care for 32 years and 29 years respectively. Margaret has been their Mum, primary carer, and advocate over this time and has ensured the pair, just like all her kids, have had the best upbringing and support possible. But the time has come for Michael and Shani-Lee to fly the nest and move into their very own home.
As Margaret ages, it pains her to acknowledge that she won’t be able to care for Michael and Shani-Lee forever. At 84 years old, Margaret decided now is the time to put arrangements in place to ensure her children are well cared for long after she is gone.
So, with the kind of gusto and determination typical of Margaret, she soon found the perfect home for Michael and Shani-Lee! The apartment is fully accessible, suitable for their care requirements, spacious for the brother and sister to have their own privacy, and of course, close by for regular visits.
But after so many years sharing their home, the siblings had nothing of their own. They needed everything from furniture to whitegoods – vital items to ensure a successful transition into living alone. Margaret knew this was going to be an expensive undertaking and, like she has always done, was prepared to fight to ensure her children were living comfortably.
“It can be very stressful fighting to get things for them. I really feel that you shouldn’t have to beg for things, it should be their right. I’ve made a few enemies standing up for them, but that doesn’t bother me. I am their voice.”
Thanks to Youngcare supporters, for once, Margaret didn’t have to fight for what Michael and Shani-Lee deserved. A Youngcare Home Support Grant funded everything the pair needed to comfortably move into their new forever home.
“It just made our life so much easier. They’ve got things that they wouldn’t have had before if it hadn’t been for Youngcare.”
While household items like furniture and whitegoods are often taken for granted, they have changed the lives of three very deserving individuals. Michael and Shani-Lee are settled in their new home, with around the clock care and regular visits from their loving Mum. And Margaret can now rest easy knowing her beloved children are set for life in a comfortable home with everything they will ever need.
Margaret has dedicated her life to helping others, to raising children with love and kindness and to normalising disability. She is very grateful that there are like-minded people out there who believe people with disabilities deserve the same opportunities as everyone else, and who also care for the carers.
“It just felt like there was a group of people out there who actually cared, about the children AND me. It’s the first time I felt that somebody thought, ‘oh, Margaret’s in this as well.’”
