Ivan Smith was left paraplegic after a road accident. Speaking during Foster Care Fortnight, he tells Joe Willis how he has not let his disability stop him making a difference to a child's life.

A HORRIFIC motorbike accident in 1999 took more than Ivan Smith's use of his legs.

For several years, Mr Smith struggled to find the motivation to work in a normal job.

“When I became disabled the drive to make money for someone else with a normal job just disappeared,” says the 45-year-old.

“Before my accident I was employed in physical outdoor occupations and could no longer do what I used to do previously.”

After four years, Mr Smith, of Bishop Middleham, near Ferryhill, County Durham, decided to make some changes.

“It was time to try new things and I trained at Finchale College in computing. With my families support I decided to study for a two-year honours degree at Sunderland University and also studied for a Msc in the same subject in 2007.”

As well as helping to increase his confidence, the qualifications allowed Mr Smith to work from home designing websites.

However, the accident also disrupted his and his wife Pauline's plans to have more children. Although not impossible to add to their famil which includes two daughters – now aged 24 and 18 – it would be more difficult.

“We had thought about fostering in the past and decided to apply with Barnado's a couple of years ago.

“We enjoyed the training and Barnado's saw what I was able to do and not what I was unable to do. I use my disability as a form of motivation and not as an obstacle.”

According to Mr Smith, people were initially “a bit taken aback” by the idea of him being a foster carer, until they realised “who he was and what he was about”.

“People look at the wheelchair first and then at me, which could be a bit awkward at first,” he adds.

Initially, their foster child - 14-year-old Michael (not his real name) came for a short break with a view to possibly staying on permanently, which he did.

A year down the line and things are going well. Mrs Smith continues to work as a part-time hair and beauty salon manager and Mr Smith is classed as the main carer.

“We’re pretty easygoing people and we don’t have too many rules and regulations, which Michael likes. He likes a bit of peace and quiet and he gets that here too and we treat him as our own. He’s settled in really well. Yes, things can be a bit challenging at times – most children in foster care have their issues, but it’s going fine, he’s just a typical teenage boy.”

Mr Smith believes Michael respects what he achieves with his disability and looks up to him because of it.

“At least he did for the first six months - now he just takes it for granted,” he adds.

The couple brought lots of relevant life experience to fostering. As well as bringing up their own children they had a great deal of experience in looking after the children of friends and family including a child with ADHD.

Mr Smith says his disability has not caused him any problems with being a foster carer. The couple's youngest child was four when he had the accident it never stopped him bringing up her, he adds.

“Fostering is about being a good role model, safeguarding, improving the child's self esteem and helping the child look forward to a brighter future. It's a job, but it’s also a vocation and you need to be pretty flexible kind of person.

“I don’t think the physical problem gets in the way at all because it’s the emotional support that kids need.

“My wife and I support each other and share the workload of meetings, contacts and training. We find it extremely rewarding seeing children increase in confidence and do better socially and at school.”

Ultimately, Mr Smith says you have to have the right temperament to be a foster carer, but even a disability shouldn't stop you applying if you thing you are suitable.

“Helping children is a hell of lot better than a 9-to-5 job - you get so much more out of it,” he adds.