Jim, Sarah and Karen McIntosh have been helping care for many local children through their role as foster carers.
By Callan Date
WHEN Karen McIntosh flicked through her local newspaper more than 20 years ago she didn’t know it would change her life forever.
Catching the Endeavour Hills resident’s eye was an article not too dissimilar from this one you are reading right now.
It charted the opportunities and benefits that came with becoming a foster carer and Ms McIntosh and her husband, Jim, wanted to know more.
“I was reading this story in the paper and thought it would be really worthwhile getting involved,” Ms McIntosh said.
But getting involved was somewhat of an understatement.
Two decades on and almost 60 children have been offered a safe family environment at the McIntosh household.
Whether it is only a two-night stay or a three-year stint – the McIntosh family has offered a safe haven for children going through troubled times at their normal residence.
While Karen and Jim have cared for many children – they have also given so much love to their own three children.
It has also been a slightly different upbringing for Sarah, 22, Adam, 20, and Peter, 18.
The siblings have had to deal with the ups and downs that come with having different children stay at their house on a regular basis.
“We have cared for children from all different backgrounds and circumstances. Your own children have to learn to share you and also share their belongings,” she said.
All three have benefited from the interaction and learning that have come with the extra children in the house, according to Ms McIntosh.
For the oldest child, Sarah, that challenge has been accepted throughout her life and has now been taken to another level. Sarah has recently become a trained and accredited foster carer herself and has been able to offer her parents respite care.
“She has seen the benefits and has decided to become a carer too,” her mother said.
Ms McIntosh said for all the good times they have had with their foster children – there are the inevitable painful farewells.
“You have always got to have in the back of your mind that they will be moving on. It can be very hard sometimes.
“We had a little boy for over three years and seeing him off was very tough. You have just got to think that hopefully you have done your bit and put some good things into their life,” Ms McIntosh said.
She said the continuing motivating factor for the family was a simple belief they held.
“I don’t think there is anything better you can give in life than to care for someone when they need it the most. Everybody deserves to be loved and to be safe and this is why we do it,” she said.
