February is Parent Recognition Month. Strengthening Families Washington, of the Department of Early Learning for Washington State, believes there is no better way to recognize a parent, grandparent, foster or adoptive parent than by acknowledging the numerous and impressive things they do to strengthen their family and those around them in their community.
Seattle's Child is proud to sponsor the Washington Unsung Hero Awards, recognizing our everyday heroes and honoring the important role caregivers play in children's lives. There are 28 nominees for the 28 days of February, and Seattle's Child will highlight each and every one.
Congratulations to the Unsung Hero for February 13:
Sharon Bowler – Bellevue
Sharon is one of the most selfless and dedicated foster parents I know. She is always putting the needs of her foster child first and going above and beyond to advocate for the child's needs. Sharon was selected by the child's biological mother as a fictive kinship provider and although this was unplanned Sharon has embraced everything that parenting a tiny, preemie, medically fragile child has involved. While placement was at first only expected to last a few week/months/days the placement has turned into years and Sharon's love for this child has grown exponentially. Not surprisingly, Sharon and her husband are hoping to soon adopt this child.
Sharon's foster child has been extremely sick and had numerous medical appointments – more than any parent would imagine. Sharon has given up her personal time, taken time off of work, and eventually left her job to spend more time with her family. Sharon's dedication to this child is best illustrated in this example: For the past two years, two to three times per week Sharon drives from her home in Bellevue to/from the Queen Anne neighborhood in Seattle so her foster child can attend a specialized childcare that caters to children of all abilities. This center could handle the child's feeding tube, provides therapy services, and was one of the few places Sharon felt safe to leave this fragile child while she worked.
Driving a child 30 miles to childcare, several times a week, in Seattle rush hour traffic has always been an example to me of just what a dedicated parent Sharon is.
The stress of foster parenting has not been easy for Sharon but she's a highly educated caregiver who knows exactly who to turn to in times of need. Sharon reaches out to caseworkers, CASAs, medical providers, therapists, case managers, family, friends, the court, and her church community for support. She's in constant communication with providers to ensure that decisions regarding permanency planning are in the best interests of the child.
Sharon is a true definition of an unsung hero and deserves acknowledgement for her actions and decisions in life which always benefit others.
Nominator: Elizabeth McKee
