Brenda's Reviews > Damaged

It appears that this woman has written a number of books like this. As someone who previously worked in Child Protective Services, I have to wonder about her motivation in writing these books. I agree with you about exposing the reader to things that they really don’t need to see. There seems to be some element of self aggrandizement in her need to write these books to show what a wonderful foster parent she is.
Just do your job well, lady, and get your satisfaction from helping the kids, not from kudos from strangers about your books. SMDH.

As someone who was abused as a child I think it is great Cathy is writing these books. These stories need to be told. So many abusers tell the kids not to say a word and even trusted adults tell them the same thing. When I finally had the courage to speak up I was told not tell anyone, just forget it and move on. That made me feel more ashamed.

When an abused child’s story is told it creates awareness but most important it takes away the power of the abuser. That “dirty” secret is out and will no longer have to stay hidden in shame.

I know with my past I’ve been able to turn it into a way to help others. Trouble teens are often surprised to learn my past and said it helps them see they too can over come their past.

As for exploiting I’m hoping the kids from Cathy’s books can see their story helping and encouraging others. She’s said online she’s often heard from abused kids and foster kids. The feedback seems very positive. You’d think by now if one kids felt exploited a law suit would happen and she’s lose her license. As far as I know that hasn’t happened and she’s still a foster parent. I personally admire how she gives her life to help abused kids.

I very much agree with your review: I'm not sure Cathy should have been the one to tell this story. And judging by her website, it does not appear she received permission from Jodie to tell this story.

Obviously identifying names, places etc have been changed in all of her books. This one was a particularly hard read however I don’t see why she shouldn’t write these books.
Not only does it give you an example of the “system” and how fostering works (at the time) but it does show us that those stories we think are “rare” like this, do actually happen and the domino effect.
We should take things from this story, like if a child ever disclosed anything to my own child it’s so important to report it asap, how psychology is so important, how many signs were missed with this particular child, etc.
It also shows us that even someone with two decades of fostering experience can be out of their depth with a child who has been through such horrific circumstance. Yet she was thrown in the deep end and the whole family could have used some guidance from an experienced psychologist on how best to handle behaviours. There was no respite for the family and for Cathy to agree straight away to take a child who had been through multiple families in a short amount of time and not to have any extra support to ensure this family worked out, just baffling.
It is so eye opening to read about these real life experiences and hopefully, it’s small steps towards change in such a chaotic government system.