As of 2017, approximately 48,000 children in Australia live in out-of-home (foster) care, a number that has been on the rise since 2013. More than 40% of these children remain in the foster care system for five or more years. Unfortunately, one of these children was Bobby Hendry, who spent seven years in 16 different foster families and lived at 38 different addresses.
Bobby, formerly known as Emily, was placed in the state’s care at the age of eight to escape her abusive father. Over the next seven years, she felt unloved and neglected as she was moved from family to family. By age fifteen, she was living with her sixteenth family, described as “a little bit insane.” Despite her desire to leave, she faced the prospect of moving to a group home in Sydney, which would mean leaving the school she loved.
Bobby met her teachers, Chris and Peter Harrison, in school. Despite her difficult behavior, they developed a bond with her and saw her potential. When she faced the prospect of moving to a group home, the Harrisons decided to take her in. Despite initial resistance from the agency, they eventually became her foster parents and provided her with a stable and nurturing environment.
Adjusting to her new life was not easy, but with the Harrisons’ love and support, Bobby began to thrive. She graduated from college, started her photography business, and is in a healthy, committed relationship. She recognizes that statistically, she should not have achieved these things and is grateful to her foster parents for transforming her life.
