Guest guest Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 A couple who were told they could not become foster parents because they are vegetarians have persuaded their county council to think again. Dolly and Paul Saunders from West Sussex were first told they could not be considered because they would not give a child meat to eat at home. But the county council has now said its guidelines are being revised and the Saunders' application reconsidered. Mrs Saunders said she did not understand what the fuss was about. I really didn't understand that it was as big an issue as they were making it She said: " If we were to have a child living with us and to be cooking veggie food for ourselves and then presenting them with a different plate of food, that's going to make them feel uncomfortable straight away. " By allowing them to eat meat at school and when they go to friends and if we went out to a restaurant, we don't mind paying for them to have meat. " I really didn't understand that it was as big an issue as they were making it. " 'Inflexible' The couple, both 43, hoped fostering would provide company for their 10-year-old son Jake. They filled in a one-page application form and said they did not eat meat, although they would be happy for the child to eat it outside the home. A spokesman for the council initially said the problem lay not in the couple's vegetarianism but in their refusal to serve meat at home. A later statement said its guidelines were being revised and the Saunders' application could be reconsidered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 27, 2006 Report Share Posted March 27, 2006 That is horrible, you have a family looking to provide a loving home for a child in need and you have some unenlightened pencil pusher say you are not fit to care for that child. If anything it should be the other way around, if you eat meat you shouldn't be allowed to be a foster parent because you are not smart enough to realize that it's healthier for them to be vegetarian. Has the meat lobby now been asked to help place foster kids. I'm not usually a radical and I never preach to people but this really makes me mad. If this is a precidence that a government agency can use then what's to say that they can't charge vegan parents with abuse/neglect. I'm glad they are rethinking the issue but the fact that it was an issue is distubing. Kris , " heartwerk " <jo.heartwork wrote: > > > A couple who were told they could not become foster parents because > they are vegetarians have persuaded their county council to think > again. > Dolly and Paul Saunders from West Sussex were first told they could > not be considered because they would not give a child meat to eat at > home. > > But the county council has now said its guidelines are being revised > and the Saunders' application reconsidered. > > Mrs Saunders said she did not understand what the fuss was about. > > I really didn't understand that it was as big an issue as they were > making it She said: " If we were to have a child living with us and to > be cooking veggie food for ourselves and then presenting them with a > different plate of food, that's going to make them feel uncomfortable > straight away. > > " By allowing them to eat meat at school and when they go to friends > and if we went out to a restaurant, we don't mind paying for them to > have meat. > > " I really didn't understand that it was as big an issue as they were > making it. " > > 'Inflexible' > > The couple, both 43, hoped fostering would provide company for their > 10-year-old son Jake. > > They filled in a one-page application form and said they did not eat > meat, although they would be happy for the child to eat it outside > the home. > > A spokesman for the council initially said the problem lay not in the > couple's vegetarianism but in their refusal to serve meat at home. > > A later statement said its guidelines were being revised and the > Saunders' application could be reconsidered. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 It does seem to be council policy in that area. I have also written to my local council to see if they have the same policy. Jo , " vegrn4life " <vegrn4life wrote: > > That is horrible, you have a family looking to provide a loving home > for a child in need and you have some unenlightened pencil pusher say > you are not fit to care for that child. If anything it should be the > other way around, if you eat meat you shouldn't be allowed to be a > foster parent because you are not smart enough to realize that it's > healthier for them to be vegetarian. Has the meat lobby now been > asked to help place foster kids. I'm not usually a radical and I > never preach to people but this really makes me mad. If this is a > precidence that a government agency can use then what's to say that > they can't charge vegan parents with abuse/neglect. I'm glad they > are rethinking the issue but the fact that it was an issue is > distubing. Kris , " heartwerk " > <jo.heartwork@> wrote: > > > > > > A couple who were told they could not become foster parents because > > they are vegetarians have persuaded their county council to think > > again. > > Dolly and Paul Saunders from West Sussex were first told they could > > not be considered because they would not give a child meat to eat > at > > home. > > > > But the county council has now said its guidelines are being > revised > > and the Saunders' application reconsidered. > > > > Mrs Saunders said she did not understand what the fuss was about. > > > > I really didn't understand that it was as big an issue as they > were > > making it She said: " If we were to have a child living with us and > to > > be cooking veggie food for ourselves and then presenting them with > a > > different plate of food, that's going to make them feel > uncomfortable > > straight away. > > > > " By allowing them to eat meat at school and when they go to friends > > and if we went out to a restaurant, we don't mind paying for them > to > > have meat. > > > > " I really didn't understand that it was as big an issue as they > were > > making it. " > > > > 'Inflexible' > > > > The couple, both 43, hoped fostering would provide company for > their > > 10-year-old son Jake. > > > > They filled in a one-page application form and said they did not > eat > > meat, although they would be happy for the child to eat it outside > > the home. > > > > A spokesman for the council initially said the problem lay not in > the > > couple's vegetarianism but in their refusal to serve meat at home. > > > > A later statement said its guidelines were being revised and the > > Saunders' application could be reconsidered. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 why did they put it on the form in the first place? If I was filling a form in I wouldn't even think of putting it, as far as I am concerned I eat a normal balanced diet so why mention it at all? , " heartwerk " <jo.heartwork wrote: > > It does seem to be council policy in that area. I have also written > to my local council to see if they have the same policy. > > Jo > > , " vegrn4life " <vegrn4life@> > wrote: > > > > That is horrible, you have a family looking to provide a loving > home > > for a child in need and you have some unenlightened pencil pusher > say > > you are not fit to care for that child. If anything it should be > the > > other way around, if you eat meat you shouldn't be allowed to be a > > foster parent because you are not smart enough to realize that it's > > healthier for them to be vegetarian. Has the meat lobby now been > > asked to help place foster kids. I'm not usually a radical and I > > never preach to people but this really makes me mad. If this is a > > precidence that a government agency can use then what's to say that > > they can't charge vegan parents with abuse/neglect. I'm glad they > > are rethinking the issue but the fact that it was an issue is > > distubing. Kris , " heartwerk " > > <jo.heartwork@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > A couple who were told they could not become foster parents > because > > > they are vegetarians have persuaded their county council to think > > > again. > > > Dolly and Paul Saunders from West Sussex were first told they > could > > > not be considered because they would not give a child meat to eat > > at > > > home. > > > > > > But the county council has now said its guidelines are being > > revised > > > and the Saunders' application reconsidered. > > > > > > Mrs Saunders said she did not understand what the fuss was about. > > > > > > I really didn't understand that it was as big an issue as they > > were > > > making it She said: " If we were to have a child living with us > and > > to > > > be cooking veggie food for ourselves and then presenting them > with > > a > > > different plate of food, that's going to make them feel > > uncomfortable > > > straight away. > > > > > > " By allowing them to eat meat at school and when they go to > friends > > > and if we went out to a restaurant, we don't mind paying for them > > to > > > have meat. > > > > > > " I really didn't understand that it was as big an issue as they > > were > > > making it. " > > > > > > 'Inflexible' > > > > > > The couple, both 43, hoped fostering would provide company for > > their > > > 10-year-old son Jake. > > > > > > They filled in a one-page application form and said they did not > > eat > > > meat, although they would be happy for the child to eat it > outside > > > the home. > > > > > > A spokesman for the council initially said the problem lay not in > > the > > > couple's vegetarianism but in their refusal to serve meat at > home. > > > > > > A later statement said its guidelines were being revised and the > > > Saunders' application could be reconsidered. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 I have had dialogue with West Sussex Council and apparently they do have several vegetarian foster carers, who feed the children vegetarian meals. It is not a policy of theirs to not use vegetarians. Jo - " heartwerk " <jo.heartwork Tuesday, March 28, 2006 7:36 AM Re: Vegetarians refused as Foster Parents > It does seem to be council policy in that area. I have also written > to my local council to see if they have the same policy. > > Jo > > , " vegrn4life " <vegrn4life > wrote: > > > > That is horrible, you have a family looking to provide a loving > home > > for a child in need and you have some unenlightened pencil pusher > say > > you are not fit to care for that child. If anything it should be > the > > other way around, if you eat meat you shouldn't be allowed to be a > > foster parent because you are not smart enough to realize that it's > > healthier for them to be vegetarian. Has the meat lobby now been > > asked to help place foster kids. I'm not usually a radical and I > > never preach to people but this really makes me mad. If this is a > > precidence that a government agency can use then what's to say that > > they can't charge vegan parents with abuse/neglect. I'm glad they > > are rethinking the issue but the fact that it was an issue is > > distubing. Kris , " heartwerk " > > <jo.heartwork@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > A couple who were told they could not become foster parents > because > > > they are vegetarians have persuaded their county council to think > > > again. > > > Dolly and Paul Saunders from West Sussex were first told they > could > > > not be considered because they would not give a child meat to eat > > at > > > home. > > > > > > But the county council has now said its guidelines are being > > revised > > > and the Saunders' application reconsidered. > > > > > > Mrs Saunders said she did not understand what the fuss was about. > > > > > > I really didn't understand that it was as big an issue as they > > were > > > making it She said: " If we were to have a child living with us > and > > to > > > be cooking veggie food for ourselves and then presenting them > with > > a > > > different plate of food, that's going to make them feel > > uncomfortable > > > straight away. > > > > > > " By allowing them to eat meat at school and when they go to > friends > > > and if we went out to a restaurant, we don't mind paying for them > > to > > > have meat. > > > > > > " I really didn't understand that it was as big an issue as they > > were > > > making it. " > > > > > > 'Inflexible' > > > > > > The couple, both 43, hoped fostering would provide company for > > their > > > 10-year-old son Jake. > > > > > > They filled in a one-page application form and said they did not > > eat > > > meat, although they would be happy for the child to eat it > outside > > > the home. > > > > > > A spokesman for the council initially said the problem lay not in > > the > > > couple's vegetarianism but in their refusal to serve meat at > home. > > > > > > A later statement said its guidelines were being revised and the > > > Saunders' application could be reconsidered. > > > > > > To send an email to - > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 That's a very good point. Jo - " herbvalerian " <herbvalerian Tuesday, March 28, 2006 12:28 PM Re: Vegetarians refused as Foster Parents > why did they put it on the form in the first place? If I was filling a form in I wouldn't even > think of putting it, as far as I am concerned I eat a normal balanced diet so why mention it > at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 I wonder, does the application also ask if the potential foster home allows hormone-injected beef to be served, or what about excessive junk food and video games? So it's OK to take a child to McDonald's, but unfit parenting to serve a healthy meal?I would say, only in America, but where is West Sussex?heartwerk <jo.heartwork wrote: It does seem to be council policy in that area. I have also written to my local council to see if they have the same policy. Jo , "vegrn4life" <vegrn4life wrote: > > That is horrible, you have a family looking to provide a loving home > for a child in need and you have some unenlightened pencil pusher say > you are not fit to care for that child. If anything it should be the > other way around, if you eat meat you shouldn't be allowed to be a > foster parent because you are not smart enough to realize that it's > healthier for them to be vegetarian. Has the meat lobby now been > asked to help place foster kids. I'm not usually a radical and I > never preach to people but this really makes me mad. If this is a > precidence that a government agency can use then what's to say that > they can't charge vegan parents with abuse/neglect. I'm glad they > are rethinking the issue but the fact that it was an issue is > distubing. Kris , "heartwerk" > <jo.heartwork@> wrote: > > > > > > A couple who were told they could not become foster parents because > > they are vegetarians have persuaded their county council to think > > again. > > Dolly and Paul Saunders from West Sussex were first told they could > > not be considered because they would not give a child meat to eat > at > > home. > > > > But the county council has now said its guidelines are being > revised > > and the Saunders' application reconsidered. > > > > Mrs Saunders said she did not understand what the fuss was about. > > > > I really didn't understand that it was as big an issue as they > were > > making it She said: "If we were to have a child living with us and > to > > be cooking veggie food for ourselves and then presenting them with > a > > different plate of food, that's going to make them feel > uncomfortable > > straight away. > > > > "By allowing them to eat meat at school and when they go to friends > > and if we went out to a restaurant, we don't mind paying for them > to > > have meat. > > > > "I really didn't understand that it was as big an issue as they > were > > making it." > > > > 'Inflexible' > > > > The couple, both 43, hoped fostering would provide company for > their > > 10-year-old son Jake. > > > > They filled in a one-page application form and said they did not > eat > > meat, although they would be happy for the child to eat it outside > > the home. > > > > A spokesman for the council initially said the problem lay not in > the > > couple's vegetarianism but in their refusal to serve meat at home. > > > > A later statement said its guidelines were being revised and the > > Saunders' application could be reconsidered. > > > New Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC for low, low rates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 Hi Jo That is good news indeed! BB Nikki , " jo " <jo.heartwork wrote: > > I have had dialogue with West Sussex Council and apparently they do have > several vegetarian foster carers, who feed the children vegetarian meals. > It is not a policy of theirs to not use vegetarians. > > Jo > > - > " heartwerk " <jo.heartwork > > Tuesday, March 28, 2006 7:36 AM > Re: Vegetarians refused as Foster Parents > > > > It does seem to be council policy in that area. I have also written > > to my local council to see if they have the same policy. > > > > Jo > > > > , " vegrn4life " <vegrn4life@> > > wrote: > > > > > > That is horrible, you have a family looking to provide a loving > > home > > > for a child in need and you have some unenlightened pencil pusher > > say > > > you are not fit to care for that child. If anything it should be > > the > > > other way around, if you eat meat you shouldn't be allowed to be a > > > foster parent because you are not smart enough to realize that it's > > > healthier for them to be vegetarian. Has the meat lobby now been > > > asked to help place foster kids. I'm not usually a radical and I > > > never preach to people but this really makes me mad. If this is a > > > precidence that a government agency can use then what's to say that > > > they can't charge vegan parents with abuse/neglect. I'm glad they > > > are rethinking the issue but the fact that it was an issue is > > > distubing. Kris , " heartwerk " > > > <jo.heartwork@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > A couple who were told they could not become foster parents > > because > > > > they are vegetarians have persuaded their county council to think > > > > again. > > > > Dolly and Paul Saunders from West Sussex were first told they > > could > > > > not be considered because they would not give a child meat to eat > > > at > > > > home. > > > > > > > > But the county council has now said its guidelines are being > > > revised > > > > and the Saunders' application reconsidered. > > > > > > > > Mrs Saunders said she did not understand what the fuss was about. > > > > > > > > I really didn't understand that it was as big an issue as they > > > were > > > > making it She said: " If we were to have a child living with us > > and > > > to > > > > be cooking veggie food for ourselves and then presenting them > > with > > > a > > > > different plate of food, that's going to make them feel > > > uncomfortable > > > > straight away. > > > > > > > > " By allowing them to eat meat at school and when they go to > > friends > > > > and if we went out to a restaurant, we don't mind paying for them > > > to > > > > have meat. > > > > > > > > " I really didn't understand that it was as big an issue as they > > > were > > > > making it. " > > > > > > > > 'Inflexible' > > > > > > > > The couple, both 43, hoped fostering would provide company for > > > their > > > > 10-year-old son Jake. > > > > > > > > They filled in a one-page application form and said they did not > > > eat > > > > meat, although they would be happy for the child to eat it > > outside > > > > the home. > > > > > > > > A spokesman for the council initially said the problem lay not in > > > the > > > > couple's vegetarianism but in their refusal to serve meat at > > home. > > > > > > > > A later statement said its guidelines were being revised and the > > > > Saunders' application could be reconsidered. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > To send an email to - > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 29, 2006 Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 Hi Nikki Well .... I do like to find out what is going on. :-) BB Jo , " earthstrm " <earthstorm wrote: > > Hi Jo > > That is good news indeed! > > BB > Nikki > > > , " jo " <jo.heartwork@> wrote: > > > > I have had dialogue with West Sussex Council and apparently they > do have > > several vegetarian foster carers, who feed the children vegetarian > meals. > > It is not a policy of theirs to not use vegetarians. > > > > Jo > > > > - > > " heartwerk " <jo.heartwork@> > > > > Tuesday, March 28, 2006 7:36 AM > > Re: Vegetarians refused as Foster Parents > > > > > > > It does seem to be council policy in that area. I have also > written > > > to my local council to see if they have the same policy. > > > > > > Jo > > > > > > , " vegrn4life " <vegrn4life@> > > > wrote: > > > > > > > > That is horrible, you have a family looking to provide a loving > > > home > > > > for a child in need and you have some unenlightened pencil > pusher > > > say > > > > you are not fit to care for that child. If anything it should > be > > > the > > > > other way around, if you eat meat you shouldn't be allowed to > be a > > > > foster parent because you are not smart enough to realize that > it's > > > > healthier for them to be vegetarian. Has the meat lobby now > been > > > > asked to help place foster kids. I'm not usually a radical > and I > > > > never preach to people but this really makes me mad. If this > is a > > > > precidence that a government agency can use then what's to say > that > > > > they can't charge vegan parents with abuse/neglect. I'm glad > they > > > > are rethinking the issue but the fact that it was an issue is > > > > distubing. Kris , " heartwerk " > > > > <jo.heartwork@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > A couple who were told they could not become foster parents > > > because > > > > > they are vegetarians have persuaded their county council to > think > > > > > again. > > > > > Dolly and Paul Saunders from West Sussex were first told they > > > could > > > > > not be considered because they would not give a child meat > to eat > > > > at > > > > > home. > > > > > > > > > > But the county council has now said its guidelines are being > > > > revised > > > > > and the Saunders' application reconsidered. > > > > > > > > > > Mrs Saunders said she did not understand what the fuss was > about. > > > > > > > > > > I really didn't understand that it was as big an issue as > they > > > > were > > > > > making it She said: " If we were to have a child living with > us > > > and > > > > to > > > > > be cooking veggie food for ourselves and then presenting them > > > with > > > > a > > > > > different plate of food, that's going to make them feel > > > > uncomfortable > > > > > straight away. > > > > > > > > > > " By allowing them to eat meat at school and when they go to > > > friends > > > > > and if we went out to a restaurant, we don't mind paying for > them > > > > to > > > > > have meat. > > > > > > > > > > " I really didn't understand that it was as big an issue as > they > > > > were > > > > > making it. " > > > > > > > > > > 'Inflexible' > > > > > > > > > > The couple, both 43, hoped fostering would provide company > for > > > > their > > > > > 10-year-old son Jake. > > > > > > > > > > They filled in a one-page application form and said they did > not > > > > eat > > > > > meat, although they would be happy for the child to eat it > > > outside > > > > > the home. > > > > > > > > > > A spokesman for the council initially said the problem lay > not in > > > > the > > > > > couple's vegetarianism but in their refusal to serve meat at > > > home. > > > > > > > > > > A later statement said its guidelines were being revised and > the > > > > > Saunders' application could be reconsidered. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > To send an email to - > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 29, 2006 Report Share Posted March 29, 2006 Hi Jo I think that is great. And it is always good to follow up on a story too. The media usually just tells the part of the story that will get you to listen and does not always do a good job of following up. I know, surprise, surprise. lol BB Nikki , " heartwerk " <jo.heartwork wrote: > > Hi Nikki > > Well .... I do like to find out what is going on. :-) > > BB > Jo > > > , " earthstrm " <earthstorm@> wrote: > > > > Hi Jo > > > > That is good news indeed! > > > > BB > > Nikki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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