Summary
In "Why, Dawn?" Cathy Glass recounts her experiences fostering Dawn, a thirteen-year-old girl with a troubled past. Cathy and her husband, John, are trying to start a family and after some initial success fostering a teenage boy, they feel they have much to offer a child in need. When Dawn arrives, she is initially pleasant and eager to please, but Cathy and John soon discover that Dawn's outward demeanor hides a complex and disturbed inner world. The story unfolds as Cathy and John navigate the challenges of caring for Dawn, dealing with her truancy, and facing the unsettling reality of her sleepwalking and self-harming tendencies. As the story continues we discover that Dawn has a history of 'running away', has been in contact with the police and has a rather turbulent family life.
As Cathy and John try to understand Dawn, they encounter resistance from the social services, who are reluctant to share information about Dawn's past. This lack of transparency leaves Cathy and John ill-equipped to deal with Dawn's issues, and their efforts to help her are often met with frustration and disappointment. Despite these challenges, Cathy and John are determined to provide Dawn with a stable and loving home. They set boundaries, enforce rules, and try to engage Dawn in family activities. They take her clothes shopping, and make efforts to show her that she is a valued member of their household. However, their attempts are often thwarted by Dawn's underlying issues and her connections to a troubled group of friends.
As the story unfolds, Cathy and John discover that Dawn's past is far more complex and disturbing than they initially realized. They learn that Dawn has been involved in a serious incident, and she is carrying a heavy burden of guilt and responsibility. This new information forces Cathy and John to re-evaluate their approach to Dawn's care, and they realize that she needs more professional help than they can provide. They are also forced to confront the possibility that Dawn's presence in their home may be putting their own family at risk.
The story reaches a climax when Dawn attempts suicide, forcing Cathy and John to confront the full extent of her distress. In the aftermath of the attempt, Cathy and John come to terms with the fact that staying with them is not helping Dawn, and perhaps this was Dawn's way of telling them. Realising they must make changes, Cathy and John start to advocate for Dawn's needs, seeking professional help and support, whilst also coming to terms with the fact that Dawn needs care from experts.
Ultimately, "Why, Dawn?" is a poignant and moving story about the challenges and rewards of fostering a child with a troubled past. It is a story about the importance of love, compassion, and understanding in the face of adversity. It is a story about the power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit, as well as a hard hitting account of a couple and their journey into the world of social care.