My origins are in the UK but I was born and raised in Christchurch, and I returned here after spending several years working in other parts of NZ and overseas. Some of the areas I have worked in include probation, residential and field social work, policy, child and youth mortality coordination, suicide prevention, children in state care, intercountry adoption, social work education and general practice.
Ten years ago my husband and I became caregivers to a nine year old foster daughter and while not officially diagnosed with FASD, her educational psychological assessment would point to this being likely. This has resulted in us embarking on a journey of staunch advocacy and support to get her needs met within the varying systems including health, welfare and education.
We have an adult son with a beautiful Samoyed dog, Luna who live locally. In spare time I enjoy connecting with family and friends, reading, knitting and long distance walking, particularly in Europe on the various Camino trails.
