Entering out-of-home care at the age of four, Onyx spent most of his time in care living with family carers he describes as the “closest thing to a mum and dad” he’s ever had.
“My family that I’m with now, they’re the best thing that’s happened to me. They have pushed me to be the person I am today. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be sitting here today.”
“They pushed me into getting a course into beauty therapy, to be a bigger person, to stand up for myself, to own who I am and not let anyone stand in front of me and put me down. They’ve done a lot for me. They’ve made me feel like I’m safe, I belong here, and I’m loved.”
Reflecting as an adult, Onyx says his care experiences has helped him build resilience and confidence and has shaped who he is today.
“We [children and young people in care] have to find our own way to be strong to ourselves, and if you have that help it’s amazing.”
“I now own who I am. I chose who I wanted to be, and I became who I wanted to be, and I couldn’t have done that without the help of my foster carers.”
Onyx agrees being a foster or family carer can be challenging at times but “definitely worth it”.
“A lot of kids don’t have places to go and if you feel like you’re fit and you can be a good foster parent, do it.”
If you’re considering becoming a foster or family carer or would like more information, visit the Foster Care website.
Print this page
