Joyce Fox
Joyce Fox, one of our survivors, has shared her story about her journey with Future Pathways in the Dundee Courier. Read all about it here – https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/angus-mearns/563708/angus-abuse-survivor-shares-story-save-others/
Davie Garrity, 69, from Glenrothes
A Fife man who was taken into care as a baby is celebrating after seeing photos of his beloved mum for the first time.
Davie Garrity, 69, from Glenrothes, launched a public appeal for help in his bid to see pictures of the mother he never saw again after entering the care system at the age of 14 months.
And now, with help and support in his appeal from Future Pathways, Scotland’s in-care survivor support project, family members have now come forward with a wealth of photos for Davie to treasure.
Davie, who had a negative experience in the care system, was told from a very early age that he was abandoned by his mum, who’d given him up to the care system to look after. But it was only after tracking down his care records a few years ago he discovered that his mum had not abandoned him at birth, but had looked after him until he was 14 months old, and that it was only following a period of very ill health for Davie, that the single mum took the heart-breaking decision to put him into care.
After leaving care in his late teens, Davie moved forward with his life, pushing his experiences to the back of his mind and it was a chance encounter on the golf course with someone he used to be in care with, that brought all the memories of the past flooding back.
Keen to find out more about his roots, Davie applied for copies of his care records and was both delighted and devastated to find out his mum had also made several attempts to visit him in care and get access to him, but these had all been denied.
He started to look for his mum but received the sad news that she had passed away in 1978. His next step was to find out what she looked like, and the search for photos began.
Davie said: “I never thought that I would see this day, I am so happy. Seeing what my mum looked like has been a dream come true. There are even photos of us together, which is amazing. Thanks to everyone who has helped to make this possible for me.”
Head of Future Pathways, Flora Henderson, said: “I am absolutely over the moon for Davie, this is a wonderful, heart-warming story and I am so pleased that Future Pathways has been able to help him to reach his goal.
“We aim to provide tailored support to help survivors of abuse or neglect lead full, healthy and independent lives. Although over 600 survivors have already registered with us, we know there are many, many more people out there who have had similar experiences and who could really benefit from our help and support.
“Please get in touch if you feel that we can help you or someone you know.”
Survivor Andy Weir has shared how what happened to him in care
Sharing the truth
Survivor Andy Weir has shared how what happened to him in care has affected his life in a blog post in Third Force News – here’s an extract and a link to the article:
“I really enjoy my job as a peer support worker with a homeless charity – it’s challenging but rewarding. I’ve got a nice flat in Glasgow, and I feel that life is good.
“I imagine that most people who meet me these days would be shocked to learn that I was once addicted to alcohol and was living on the streets – and it wasn’t even that long ago.
“My start in life was bad – I was in care. I suffered from abuse by the people who were supposed to be caring for me. Both were difficult – however one care home was particularly problematic as I was surrounded by older negative influences. I saw and experienced a lot of stuff in care. We were encouraged to never question anything, and I suppose in a way I was taken from a chaotic environment and placed in another. I went in problematic and came out of care at 16, no life skills, confused, scared.
“Future Pathways has been so important to me. It has enabled me to live the comfortable life I live today, and I’ve been reassured about my own abilities and skills, encouraged to college and ultimately to work, I can speak to my support coordinator on an even keel, she doesn’t judge or assume anything, I can share my issues no problem. I’m consider myself very lucky to be in the position in in today and FP has had a huge influence. It puts the faith back in people.”Read the full article by clicking here.