The RMA Podcast. Episode 38. Episode 38. Spreading kindness. One woman’s story of being a foster carer & changing lives.

The RMA Podcast

On Episode 38 of the RMA Podcast we talk to Brisbane mum, Sandra Ehlers about her experience as a foster carer. Sandra was 15 when her parents fostered a friend of hers from her local school. She saw firsthand the difference foster care could make in a child's life. The kindness and love that was given was so easy, and so effortless for her parents. Later in life as a grown woman with children of her own Sandra and her husband decided after a few miscarriages that they needed to find another avenue of adding to their family. The stress the family all went through each time their pregnancy failed was enormous. They had love to give and Sandra knew first hand that there was vulnerable children out there that needed love and safety. She wanted to help and give that love she ached to give to children that needed it most.

As a foster carer. Sandra and her family believe foster care works best when the work as a team. They work with the families and eventually even become THE family together for the children. The process to become foster carers was long and arduous, as it should be, and we discuss this in this episode. The process is there for a good reason, to keep our most vulnerable children from further harm.

Sandras first placement was an emergency placement, the first of many. Her goal was always to help families. Sandra imagined she would love them and keep them safe until their families were in a position to care for them again, and its been quiet the journey. Over the course of 10 years they have had 31 children aged from 5 hours old -11 come to their home. Some for just a few days and others weeks, months and years. Making a difference is a powerful thing. Being kind isn’t hard. Its free and is appreciated by so many.

Sandra started running purely cause she couldn’t keep up with the little ones she had in her care. It made her realise how unhealthy she had become, and so she lost 44 kg over the course of a year, becoming a healthier version of herself for her family and those in her care. She loves to involve the children in her care in an active lifestyle, and in turn some of them love to run too.

This is a story of one mother who had a whole lot of love to give, and gave it in the most generous of ways.

To find out more about foster care you can visit:

NSW

QLD

VIC

TAS

NT

SA

WA

This episode is brought to you by fisiocrem Australia.