A Heart So Big

by Rio Hogarty

Rio Hogarty's story of her life in fostering, A Heart So Big , combines the heart-warming nostalgia of Mollie Moran's Aprons and Silver Spoons with heart-breaking stories of children whose lives were blighted by being unloved and uncared for in the style of Cathy Glass. Nearly 70 years ago, Rio started to do her bit for vulnerable children, one child at a time. While she was still in school, she thought nothing of bringing home a schoolmate who needed refuge. It was the start of opening her home and her heart to children in need. She has never stopped. A Heart So Big is the astonishing and moving story of Rio's life and how she has tried to make a difference. She has fostered over 140 children and, in 2010, in an award created especially for her, she was named Mother of the Year at the annual People of the Year Awards. It includes stories of trauma—Rio has rescued children from the direst of circumstances and seen the price they pay for the failures of adults. And Rio has had her share of heartache along the way. But it is also a story full of humor, searing honesty, and good old-fashioned fighting spirit. Rio Hogarty's A Heart So Big is an uplifting account of an amazing and inspiring life.

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2014

Reviews

[Mrs C]

Heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure. Beautifully written autobiography of this generous, gifted and gobby (in the best sense) woman. Sensitively crafted stories help the reader recognise the realities of life for so many children that main stream society just don't want to notice. Yet Rio tenderly demonstrates the power of grit determination, deep love and a refusal to give up no matter the cost. She is clear about her motivation alongside the necessity of self awareness and strong friendship. Her husband was hardly mentioned through the book and I wondered about their relationship. I would recommend this book to anyone who is open to extending their hearts to love beyond their comfort zone.

[Phallen (Helen) Sakhan]

What a beautiful story of a woman with such a big heart—welcoming so many children from all walks of life into her home. She’s funny, adventurous, and truly inspiring.

If you’re considering becoming a foster parent, do it for the right reason: to support and care for the child. Not because you expect them to see you as their mother or father, or to love you forever. They may not—and that’s okay. What matters is that you show up for them, giving your very best, every single day.

Fostering is one of the few callings where the ultimate goal is to no longer be needed. If it’s about anything else, then it’s worth reflecting on the reason why.

[Kelly Ferrett]

A Heart So Big. by Rio Hogarty.
The story of a lady (the author) who spent the majority of her life from a child to a woman in her 70’s looking out for children who were in danger .. had nothing and needed a caring sole! She fought hard to help stand up for the rights of these children ... More than 140 children have been through her doors ... some many years after leaving are still in contact with her and singing her praises!

[Angi]

I can't do this book justice at the moment. It was a wonderful book. I absolute love the author. She had me roaring with laughter or sobbing and crying my heart out... I wrote a long review for Amazon... I will try to write more later. I just wanted to at least to get this book out there and hope someone enjoys it as much as I have....

[Beverley Harrison]

Lovely book

A good inside look at how hectic foster caring can be but very humorous in places. The author did not let herself down at all and was so versatile in what she managed to do to finance her life of caring. We need people like her in society. Well done to you.

[Lorraine Haden]

Amazing lady

What an amazing life this woman had & saved lots of children who could of easily have slipped through the net without her & her husband opening their home for them.

[Rebecca Fowkes]

Really enjoyed this book, I had laughs and tears.

[Sharon]

I had never heard much about Rio Hogarty until I watched her on the Late Late Show (Ireland) a while back. She is a slight woman, in her seventies, no different to look at than any other well-groomed older lady. But my god, what a life Rio has had. She single handedly fostered over 140 children (by her count, her own two children reckon it could be well up in the 200s) - beginning at a time in an Ireland that was a much different place to today. She didn't have State or Legal support, she had no payments or help - she just took the children because she couldn't bear to see them being neglected or abused. One of the first children she took care of was a little girl she saw at a hospital - she had contracted meningitis and lost the power of her legs. Her father was shouting at her mother in the hospital lobby about how he would not have a cripple in his home - Rio intervened and with the consent of the mother, took the little girl home and raised her for a year. There are several more stories in the book, including one particularly heartbreaking one about a little 4 year old girl who had been left in a playpen for days while her mother left to entertain herself abroad with a boyfriend. I cried reading that, and I cried reading about how Rio describes her pain when she loses a dear friend. I laughed too - I laughed at her tales of driving HGV lorries, or butter smuggling with a Priest, or bringing a young boy back to the Nuns for "closure", or drinking Poitin in America. It's a remarkable book, and she is most definitely a remarkable woman. If only we had more Rios in the world. A must-read.

[Tee Yi]

inspired by the author's character. I like the idea of fostering a child is not asking the child to treat u like you're the parent. But providing the child with their best interest. And don't ask for any return.