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Mia
Ok... I'm a foster carer who doesn't want this placement. The department of Social Services know just how to apply pressure... Oh yes... they get one very good, very friendly, very experienced social worker that I happen to have so much respect for, to make the call, knowing, just knowing that I will possibly surrender and agree to share our home with a child that, to be honest, was the last child in the world that I felt capable of caring for... Felt capable of feeling anything for... Felt capable of... anything to do with her. Mmmm, sometimes I'm so bloody shallow you see. I don't want people to look at me as I go about my business. I don't want strangers giving me pitying looks or hurrying past pretending they haven't looked in my pram. I don't want to give up any of the precious time I spend with my birth children and husband. I want my life to stay just as it is. Happy and contented. Oh the lessons I was about to learn.
244 pages, Paperback
First published September 21, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 17, 2017
I read the majority of this story within hours as the short chapters, language and descriptive story telling made it a real page turner.
Every so often you read a story where you feel it could be a friend or a acquaintance telling you personally the tale and this is one of those times.
At times it can be harrowing as we learn of the abuse poor baby Mia went through to leave her disabled but not too much detail is given to make it too uncomfortable to read.
I found the behind the scenes details about the care system and biological parental rights interesting and felt I learnt quite a lot. My only very slight criticism would be the repetitiveness in parts on certain details and thoughts about Mia's Mother but I can only merely imagine the frustration Lizzie felt and this I think was what she was trying to get across and it ultimately did not detract too much from the urge to follow baby Mia's life. The descriptiveness of the diary part showed the pure grit, selflessness, dedication and hard work that goes in to caring for a disabled child and it left me in complete awe at how this amazing loving family pulled together and managed to care for Mia around the other children and responsibilities.
They say that everyone has a guardian angel and even though Mia met hers as a result of tragic circumstances she found a full family of them with Lizzie Scotts family who gave her the care, admiration and love she finally deserved. I did not see the ending of this book coming at all and it shocked me to the core but that very thought gave me slight comfort.
Thank you Lizzie for baring your soul and sharing your story.
I will look forward to reading another of your books next.
Every so often you read a story where you feel it could be a friend or a acquaintance telling you personally the tale and this is one of those times.
At times it can be harrowing as we learn of the abuse poor baby Mia went through to leave her disabled but not too much detail is given to make it too uncomfortable to read.
I found the behind the scenes details about the care system and biological parental rights interesting and felt I learnt quite a lot. My only very slight criticism would be the repetitiveness in parts on certain details and thoughts about Mia's Mother but I can only merely imagine the frustration Lizzie felt and this I think was what she was trying to get across and it ultimately did not detract too much from the urge to follow baby Mia's life. The descriptiveness of the diary part showed the pure grit, selflessness, dedication and hard work that goes in to caring for a disabled child and it left me in complete awe at how this amazing loving family pulled together and managed to care for Mia around the other children and responsibilities.
They say that everyone has a guardian angel and even though Mia met hers as a result of tragic circumstances she found a full family of them with Lizzie Scotts family who gave her the care, admiration and love she finally deserved. I did not see the ending of this book coming at all and it shocked me to the core but that very thought gave me slight comfort.
Thank you Lizzie for baring your soul and sharing your story.
I will look forward to reading another of your books next.
October 21, 2022
wow
I don’t know how you handled this sometimes when you had to face Mia’s birth family. I don’t think I would have been able to be polite one bit. People who hurt a child seriously anger me. Poor Mia. I am glad she had love in her life till she passed away. Sad that things ended up happening like this.
I don’t know how you handled this sometimes when you had to face Mia’s birth family. I don’t think I would have been able to be polite one bit. People who hurt a child seriously anger me. Poor Mia. I am glad she had love in her life till she passed away. Sad that things ended up happening like this.
February 5, 2023
Like Life, Not Always A Happily Ever After
This book tells the true story of a precious baby girl named Mia, who just a month into her all too short time on this earth was abused, allegedly by her mother in a fit of anger. Mia received hospital treatment for her global developmental delays caused by brain trauma from being shaken violently and upon release was taken into foster care and eventually accepted into the home of the author, Lizzie Scott and her husband, Howard.
Lizzie was initially very reluctant to take Mia in because they not only already had children in their care but they'd decided previously that they did not want the responsibility of caring for a profoundly disabled infant. They didn't feel it would be fair or a good fit for a child or themselves. However given that a social worker Lizzie liked and trusted said it would be only temporary AND, they had no one else, Lizzie and Howard welcomed darling Mia into their home as well as a whole bunch of medical supplies, new routines, medical training, hospital stays and supervised "contact visits" between Mia and the birth mother who essentially gave her daughter life and then cruelly took it away!
Lizzie , her husband and their family and friends fell in love with Mia and made sure she had her tube feedings, medications for epilepsy, various therapies and plenty of love and opportunities for stimulation, cuddles and any equipment needed. But Mia had been far too damaged to see solid forward progress and over time, would deteriorate. Still, they fought valiantly on her behalf.
There were a few spelling errors noted but they didn't take away from the story. In fact, the only complaint I had is I wish there were photos --not only of Mia but the author and her family! Just the front cover photo alone makes me wish I could have scooped that baby girl up in my arms and cuddled and loved on her a while!
Rest in peace precious Mia. Your birth mom can't ever hurt you again...
This book tells the true story of a precious baby girl named Mia, who just a month into her all too short time on this earth was abused, allegedly by her mother in a fit of anger. Mia received hospital treatment for her global developmental delays caused by brain trauma from being shaken violently and upon release was taken into foster care and eventually accepted into the home of the author, Lizzie Scott and her husband, Howard.
Lizzie was initially very reluctant to take Mia in because they not only already had children in their care but they'd decided previously that they did not want the responsibility of caring for a profoundly disabled infant. They didn't feel it would be fair or a good fit for a child or themselves. However given that a social worker Lizzie liked and trusted said it would be only temporary AND, they had no one else, Lizzie and Howard welcomed darling Mia into their home as well as a whole bunch of medical supplies, new routines, medical training, hospital stays and supervised "contact visits" between Mia and the birth mother who essentially gave her daughter life and then cruelly took it away!
Lizzie , her husband and their family and friends fell in love with Mia and made sure she had her tube feedings, medications for epilepsy, various therapies and plenty of love and opportunities for stimulation, cuddles and any equipment needed. But Mia had been far too damaged to see solid forward progress and over time, would deteriorate. Still, they fought valiantly on her behalf.
There were a few spelling errors noted but they didn't take away from the story. In fact, the only complaint I had is I wish there were photos --not only of Mia but the author and her family! Just the front cover photo alone makes me wish I could have scooped that baby girl up in my arms and cuddled and loved on her a while!
Rest in peace precious Mia. Your birth mom can't ever hurt you again...
December 12, 2018
Powerful Story
This was a very well written book, with a very powerful and disturbing story. In my opinion, even though Mia lived after being damaged by abuse, it would have been far better if she hadn’t, and if she would have just died instantly, instead of being subjected to the quality of life that she had. She was so young, she didn’t even understand what was going on, and all this baby knew was sickness, distress and pain. She experienced no pleasure whatsoever. In addition, I’m sure it cost a small fortune just to keep her alive, and pay for all of her medical care and all of the equipment that she required basically to just “exist”, which I’m sure caused others to go without care they actually could have benefited from. If someone’s pet would ever be subjected to the type of injuries, conditions and quality of life that Mia had, it would be widely agreed upon that the most humane thing to do would be to put it out of it’s misery—to ”put it to sleep”. It’s very unfortunate that wasn’t able to be done for Mia. The parents most definitely should have been charged with her death. It’s disgusting that they just got away with it.
This was a very well written book, with a very powerful and disturbing story. In my opinion, even though Mia lived after being damaged by abuse, it would have been far better if she hadn’t, and if she would have just died instantly, instead of being subjected to the quality of life that she had. She was so young, she didn’t even understand what was going on, and all this baby knew was sickness, distress and pain. She experienced no pleasure whatsoever. In addition, I’m sure it cost a small fortune just to keep her alive, and pay for all of her medical care and all of the equipment that she required basically to just “exist”, which I’m sure caused others to go without care they actually could have benefited from. If someone’s pet would ever be subjected to the type of injuries, conditions and quality of life that Mia had, it would be widely agreed upon that the most humane thing to do would be to put it out of it’s misery—to ”put it to sleep”. It’s very unfortunate that wasn’t able to be done for Mia. The parents most definitely should have been charged with her death. It’s disgusting that they just got away with it.
August 7, 2018
Child abuse
Very tenderly and lovingly written of the aftermath of unimaginable abuse to a small helpless infant 😟 I recommend this read to everyone !!!! Lizzie and Howard thank you for being a compassionate care giver. You gave that little baby girl the love and caring life she needed and deserved.
Very tenderly and lovingly written of the aftermath of unimaginable abuse to a small helpless infant 😟 I recommend this read to everyone !!!! Lizzie and Howard thank you for being a compassionate care giver. You gave that little baby girl the love and caring life she needed and deserved.
August 14, 2020
Mia
What sad story when parents can cause such vindictive horror on a tiny little infant that this baby ends up with atrocious injuries makes her brain damaged as well as other injuries. I still say her mother and father should both have been charged with murder 5 stars
What sad story when parents can cause such vindictive horror on a tiny little infant that this baby ends up with atrocious injuries makes her brain damaged as well as other injuries. I still say her mother and father should both have been charged with murder 5 stars
August 21, 2021
A greater love hath no man (or woman)
What some foster careers have to put up with is beyond belief-this shows how a foster career can love her cared for children as much as her own.
What some foster careers have to put up with is beyond belief-this shows how a foster career can love her cared for children as much as her own.
May 6, 2022
Beautiful
This was a beautiful, heartwarming and at times heart breaking! Also I found that reading it is found a wave of emotio, sadly it left me wondering how anyone could harm a baby or child, beautif!
This was a beautiful, heartwarming and at times heart breaking! Also I found that reading it is found a wave of emotio, sadly it left me wondering how anyone could harm a baby or child, beautif!
July 20, 2017
My new favorite author!
Really enjoyed this book. There were times I wasn't able to put it down. Will definitely follow Mrs Lizzie Scott
Really enjoyed this book. There were times I wasn't able to put it down. Will definitely follow Mrs Lizzie Scott
May 25, 2020
Beautiful
Just a sad,yet lovely story of a family with a huge heart.
Draws you in from the first page ..
Just a sad,yet lovely story of a family with a huge heart.
Draws you in from the first page ..
August 13, 2020
I liked the book, but not the writing style. Hard ending to read, but I kind of knew it was coming.
November 18, 2020
Emotional but a great read
March 25, 2016
Absolutely horrifying what the parents did to this poor baby. Mia was only lucky that she had this wonderful woman enter her life. I think Lizzie wrote this very descriptively and it was a captivating read. My only complaint is that on occasion I found it slightly repetitive. Still a ood insight on the care that goes into looking after a disabled child and my biggest respect to Lizzie.
March 17, 2016
Amazing
well written .this book had me reading in one day but it broke my heart , I had to put it down I was crying so much ,lizzie writes in way you feel your truly with her on the journey xxx
well written .this book had me reading in one day but it broke my heart , I had to put it down I was crying so much ,lizzie writes in way you feel your truly with her on the journey xxx
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews