MySpace a place for friends

I have been a foster carer for over 20 years, during which time I have looked after more than 50 children, of all ages and backgrounds. Fostering is very demanding but the rewards are never ending. I have always combined fostering with writing, and get up early in the morning so that I can write, before the day begins with my ever-changing family. I think writing is a sort of therapy for me, and writing about the children I have looked after has helped me to come to terms with their suffering.

I have been very moved by all the emails I have received from readers, and your kind words and best wishes mean a lot to me. I feel like I have a huge extended family! Thank you so much.

Love and Best wishes Cathy

Donna had been in foster care with her two young brothers for three weeks when she was suddenly moved to me with only a few hours notice. When she first arrived she wouldn’t speak – not even to Adrian (10) or Paula (6), and walked with her shoulders hunched forward and her head down; without doubt she was the saddest child I had ever seen. After a while, with lots of patience and encouragement she began to talk about what had happened to her before she came into care. Although the social services were aware that Donna and her brothers had been badly neglected by their alcoholic mother, no one was aware of the true extent of the abuse in the house. As the truth gradually came out Donna’s behaviour deteriorated and it got to the point where I daren’t leave her alone with Adrian or Paula. I continually searched for ways to help but I had to accept that some of her psychological wounds ran so deep that the scars would stay with her forever.

'The story of Dawn...whose outward appearance masked a traumatic childhood of suffering... Damaged has sold more than 228,000 copies and there is no reason to think Cut won't repeat its best-selling performance.' The Bookseller 12th May 2008

"The follow up to Glass' bestseller, Damaged, Hidden plays out like a juicy ITV drama. The tragedy is no fiction, but a true story. A life-affirming read...that proves sometimes a little hope is all you need." Heat magazine. No 4 in their top ten books.