Kelly Van Den Meiracker’s family has expanded over her 17 years as an Anglicare Victoria carer, with her biological children and care placements “sharing a home and a whole lot of love”.
Now, she is calling on other Gippsland residents to consider opening their homes to a child with a disability – and consider just how much it will enrich their lives.
Disability Specialist Foster Carers look after children and young people who are eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), due to physical, developmental, cognitive, and sensory disabilities.
“They give me more than they could ever get. Don’t hesitate if you hear that a child has different abilities or complex needs,” she said.
“They’re just kids who need a stable family and love. They’re lacking nothing, and their differences are last on the list of who they are, they’re playful, they’re happy, they’re resilient.”
Kelly wants people to know they don’t need specific training or qualifications, and will be supported every step of the way.
“Anglicare Victoria has 24 hour support for all carers. And we get extra help with any equipment and all their therapies they may need,’ Kelly explained.
“We do have a lot of professionals involved. We have workers come in and out and take the kids on activities, and we have respite carers in our network to give me a break when needed.”
Anglicare’s Specialist Disability Foster Care program, based in Gippsland, provides extensive training, therapeutic support for carers and children, a dedicated case manager and 24/7 on call workers, and critical support to access NDIS services and assessments.
Last year, Anglicare Victoria oversaw foster care for nearly 800 children and young people and is proud to support about 1000 carers across the state annually.
Foster carers can choose the type of care they can offer and for how long – from a few nights to months offering emergency and respite care, short term for weeks or months, or ongoing, long-term care.
For Kelly, one of the most rewarding things about caring for children with disability is watching them thrive.
“All of the kids have just progressed so much more than they were ever expected to,” Kelly said with a smile.
“If you tell someone they can’t do something, then how could they? That doesn’t fly around here. The kids are expected to live their best life, whether it’s becoming a rocket scientist or being professional movie watcher.”
Whether you’re married, single, older, younger, with or without kids, or in a same-sex relationship, working full time, renting or owning – everyone can make a positive difference in a child’s life.
And, Kelly said, you can’t imagine the positive impact they’ll make to yours.
“These kids have different abilities, and they add to your family, they really do. We’re better people because of them.”
- To learn more about becoming a foster carer with Anglicare Victoria email Gippsland.Carers@anglicarevic.org.au or call 03 5135 9555.
For more information or to arrange an interview with an Anglicare Victoria spokesperson, or to discuss a case study relevant to the above, please contact the AV media team on 0419 035 117 or media@anglicarevic.org.au.
