Debbie did not hesitate when she adopted Bo.
She knew that her daughter would have a severe disability requiring 24-hour care, and even so, she built a life with her in Torbay full of routines, patience, and small achievements that they celebrate together every day. Debbie’s mother and adult sisters joined in without hesitation, and even Joanne, her former foster companion, became the sister Bo chose to have.
Today, at six years old, Bo communicates using sign language and Makaton symbols, wins everyone’s affection at her school, and even has a nickname that defines her better than any diagnosis: ‘friend.’ Her teacher says she is the first to hug anyone who is sad. Debbie sums up what she learned on this journey with a simple phrase: accepting help is not weakness; it is what allows you to keep standing.
