ADHD diagnosis transformed my foster child’s life says Yorkshire foster mum

Callum moved in with Tracy and husband Shawn at seven years old after a tough start to life with ‘obvious signs of ADHD’, but Tracy felt he was misunderstood and excuses were made for his behaviour with one person even describing him as ‘nothing but trouble.’

Tracy, 58, fosters with Leeds-based Orange Grove Foster Care in Yorkshire, and said: “After years of fighting for Callum the final straw came when I was diagnosed with cancer and he was really struggling with that. I told him the news and he just cried and said ‘why are the people I love always taken away from me?’ It was really difficult for all of us.

“At school he was put in isolation, a small room away from everyone when all he needed was the right support and advocacy. Someone said about him once ‘he’s nout but trouble’ and I said he’s not trouble, he’s troubled, and there’s a huge difference.

“Eventually, after seven years, I managed to get Callum the support and medication he needed. It was life-changing then and still positively impacts him today. It helped him at home but mostly at school where he was able to focus and stay in class. Even the teachers described him as a pleasure to teach after that.”

Before his diagnosis, Callum was at risk of missing out on normal school milestones like attending his prom, but with support and medication, he was able to go with his peers which Tracy is incredibly proud of.

Now 23 years-old, Callum lives with his girlfriend and dog just five minutes down the road from Tracy who he calls ‘mum’ to this day.

When he first arrived with Tracy and Shawn, Callum was very small. Tracy said: “He arrived such a little thing with these giant blue eyes. He melted my heart as soon as I saw him.

“Now he’s 6’5” and has to bend down under the door frame with his motorbike helmet on to give me a kiss and tell me he loves me which he does in person, on the phone or by text. He is a huge part of our family life and we are incredibly proud to call him our son.”

Tracy is advocating for children in care and those living with a neurodivergence, encouraging anyone who suspects their child has a learning difficulty to keep fighting.

She said: “Just keep fighting, if you’ve got to keep going then you’ve got to keep going. Whether it’s a diagnosis, medication or therapy, it will make an incredible difference to the child in your care when you can sort this for them.

“When it comes to children in care, they deserve to have a happy, normal upbringing just like everyone else. We did our best to prepare Callum for his adult life and we can proudly say we did just that. He is such a lovely young man.

“Some of the things that go on, you honestly couldn’t write it. Well, I could, I could write a book about it! But seeing the children in your care thrive is just so rewarding and honestly that’s what keeps me going.”

To find out more about fostering a child with Orange Grove Foster Care in Yorkshire, visit https://www.orangegrovefostercare.co.uk/locations/yorkshire/ or call 0800 098 4150.