b'Stephens story.In 2019, Stephen reached out to the Heritage Service to access his records. He had spent his childhood in foster homes,The records only covered 2 years of his childhood childrens homes and with stepfamilies.from the age of 4 to 6, but it was a start. Later in life, he settled down, married, had childrenCatrionas search continued and just a few months and led a successful corporate career.later, she was able to locate the rest of his records One day, everything changed.with OzChild.Stephen lost his job and his home. His wife leftBy this stage, COVID-19 had restricted his ability with his children and he hit rock bottom. to meet with Catriona in person, so his records were posted to him to read and digest.At the age of 50, he was left to wonder where I was one of the lucky kids in the process. I could it all went wrong. see the social workers involved actually cared, the I could only put it down to my childhood.department did try to do the right thing and make A part of history I had managed to bury for manythe best choices for me, Stephen said.years. My past was a blur and I needed clarity.Uncovering his past has not been easy, but Stephen met Heritage Service manager Stephen acknowledges that the discomfort has Catriona, who began the search for hisbeen helpful in validating his feelings and taking foster care and adoption records.the guesswork out of his past.She was successful, and in November I finally feel like I do exist now. There are records, 2019, Stephen and a close friend went evidence that my memories arent imaginative but back to see Catriona. that it did happen, he said.We waded through the documents and forThank you Uniting for supporting me on this the next 3 hours the emotional roller coasterjourney of discovery and healing.ride ensued. Anger, pain, hurt, helplessness, hopelessness, says Stephen. Supporter Newsletter Autumn 2022 5'