Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
#1
I'm not a great fan of one paticular local rag, but I have to say the page 2 article on FOSTERING was spot on.
It was a good article and shows how people like Mr/MRS Cowan dedicate themselves outside of there own families.
I'm aware of some of the children in this family, and i'm sure there have been many ups and downs, but dedicated to the cause, and an inviting couple to the children working tirelessly for these children is something they and all foster carers should be proud of.
It's not the easiest of tasks,
And it's lovely when foster carers do get noticed and the help they give to children.
Well done Gordon and Jeannett, and all the foster carers out there
We are proud of you.
#2
Fostering is also a good way to make lots of money if you can cope with all the kids. Not everyone fostering is altruistic sadly.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
#3
SID
Whilst in all walks of life there are some BADDIES
Ths story was about fostering in general, but also about Gordon and Jeannette who changed the lives of 3 children
AS truly inspiring story
I hold my hands up to to them both
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#4
i haven't seen the article yet, fostering is very lucrative but the some of the children are incredibly demanding.
not surprising really, given their circumstances.
foster parents have to expect the worst possible behaviour when they take on this arduous role.
#5
Agreed Howard. Shame the press chose to focus on a senior local politician rather than any of a number of other foster carers in our town. Smacks of political gaming to me, after all, why choose Gordon specifically?.
Guest 659- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 331
#6
Because Gordon and Jeannette were the local foster carers that the Fostering Service suggested to me. I don't actually think it matters that Gordon is in politics, the job he is doing is the same as that of other foster carers and his story is as valid as anyone elses.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#7
My neice was involved with these 3 children before they were taken into care,Gordon and Jeanette have done a brilliant job without boasting about it,how many of you knew that they were Foster Parents.Kathy is right it has nothing to do with Politics but about the Family.All foster parents should have a pat on the back,and yes it pays good money,so does a lot of other jobs,perhaps we should all become merchant bankers,or CEO of the Harbour board at £217,000 a year
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#8
Praise where praise is due all foster families what ever thier political or non political beliefs,I also know Gordon would not have been impressed having the story in the DE,because of some of the stories they have written about him in the past,so well done Kathy for running the story and a lovely story it is too.
Ignore all those who think everything revolves around Politics,it doesn't.I do lots of things that don't revolve around my Political beliefs,and I always use John Goodwin,yet the press always say Cllr John Goodwin.Yes it can help sometimes but it can also become seen as political,luckily people know me and the amount of £4000 raised for H4H this year £3000 from the show and £1000 from the walk was supported by Labour Conservative and Liberal Cllrs and our former MP and 80 other people from around the District.
.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 694- Registered: 22 Mar 2010
- Posts: 778
#9
I have met Gordon on several occasions and went to school with one of their daughters and they are and were always lovely so glad to see that they are still fab!
Kudos to them!
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#10
I don't want to be a killjoy but I'm not sure that this is a topic that should be discussed openly on the DF bearing in mind that Mr Cowans foster children may have access to the internet and any untoward remarks may be hurtful and misinterpreted by the young ones.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 643- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,321
#11
Totally agree with you Marek, they were my first thoughts when I started reading this thread.
Also there are a lot of brilliant foster carers both in Dover area and all over the world. I personally know two couples here in Dover, who I won't name for the above reason, who have been fostering for years and years, I don't know how many children have been through their hands but it's a lot. I feel it is unfair to praise one family when there are so many others deserving of praise (which isn't what they want anyway).
Well done to the Cowans but please don't forget they are not the only ones fostering.
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#12
Yes indeed Marek is totally right there ...this made a good story in the Dover Express but it was always going to be a difficult topic on here because of the delicacies. I have to be honest it made be nervous from the word go, as we most certainly dont want to cause offense in something of this nature.
#13
Jacqui/Paul
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
#14
Everyone;
Lets start over again, I have my opinions on the local express which I hold strongly, but as Kathy and others have said this was not about gordon the politician, but about Foster carers in general.
You will note I applauded ALL foster carers not just these two.
It realy is a shame when Sid and co, attempt to make a negative story and a political dig, at the cowans when this realyt was an attempt to encourage others to become foster parents, and highlight how well it has worked in this case.
I will always sing praises when they are due
#15
I agree you did allude to all foster carers Keith. My point is, it is just too coincidental that a leading Labour politician should be singled out for the article when there must be better or equally deserving of praise couples to choose from. Maybe its the cynic in me, but, also I am not decrying the good work Gordon and Mrs Gordon are doing, just the selection process for the article.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#16
Sid you are so blinkered
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
#17
Keith/John
It's not about being blinkered it's about respecting the rights of the foster children who have not had the benefit of being brought up by loving and caring birth parents,Anything posted on DF of a detrimental nature could have an adverse effect on these vunerable children.So please take care before introducing politics into a sensitive area.
Lets thank God we have lots of couples that are willing to foster children what ever their background.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
#18
Marek I agree,what I was saying is Syd is so blinkered thinking that the only reason Gordon and Jeanette were featured was a Political reason,Kathy explained why and how they were chosen,yet Sid still thinks it is political.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#19
pity really, the thread started so well, and gradually politics was dragged into it.
i doubt that kathy or anyone at the express took much notice of gordons politics.
Guest 674- Registered: 25 Jun 2008
- Posts: 3,391
#20
HOWARD
You have hit the nail on the head.
So i go back to congratulating Kathy and Dover express
and Gordon and jeanette
and ALL foster carers for the jobs they do.
