Shirley and Laurie Vhal recognized for 25 years of foster parenting in Melfort. (submitted photo/Shirley Vhal)

By Angie Rolheiser

Melfort Foster Parents

Melfort couple recognized for 25 years of foster parenting

Oct 16, 2019 | 4:00 PM

Twenty-five years of foster parenting in Melfort was recognized by the Ministry of Social Services earlier this month.

Since 1994, Laurie and Shirley Vhal welcomed children into their home.

The couple began fostering when their own children started to leave home after graduating from high school. The Vhals have eight of their own children who had to make way for the other children in their parents’ lives.

“They all have got children that have parents that are secure in their everyday life,” Shirley said. “They say we are crazy but they also talk quite proud of it.”

Shirley said that she was inspired by a lady in Choiceland who was a foster parent so they went for their training and never looked back.

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The Vhals have specialized in newborn babies in their time as foster parents and Laurie referred to his wife as a “baby whisperer.”

“In an emergency case we will take older children up to about age 12 just because of Laurie’s disabilities and because I can’t chase teenagers if they choose to run,” Shirley said.

In March of 2000, Laurie was seriously injured in a logging related incident prompting the couple to take a year off during his recovery period.

“We had to quit for a bit, but it actually got us going again and got things back into perspective,” Shirley said.

Often times, Shirley has babies that need medication on top of the usual newborn needs.

Shirley said they have taken in around 109 placements over the years so the need for foster families is an obvious need in the area.

“We need younger foster families so people like us can retire,” Shirley said. “Right now, I won’t say no because we know there is a need, like where are they going to go?”

Although the fostering road hasn’t always been easy and saying goodbye can be hard, Shirley shared some advice for anyone thinking about becoming a foster parent.

“It’s kind of like they’re on loan. They’re not our babies to begin with so you know that you do your best for them and then when they go, you know you’ve done your best and that’s all you can do,” Shirley said.

The Vhal’s plan to continue to foster for as long as physically possible.

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser