Damaged [Paperback]

Cathy Glass (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2007

Although Jodie is only eight years old, she is violent, aggressive, and has already been through numerous foster families. Her last hope is Cathy Glass. At the Social Services office, Cathy (an experienced foster carer) is pressured into taking Jodie as a new placement. Jodie's challenging behavior has seen off five carers in four months. Despite her reservations, Cathy decides to take on Jodie to protect her from being placed in an institution. Jodie arrives, and her first act is to soil herself, and then wipe it on her face, grinning wickedly. Jodie meets Cathy's teenage children, and greets them with a sharp kick to the shins. That night, Cathy finds Jodie covered in blood, having cut her own wrist, and smeared the blood over her face. As Jodie begins to trust Cathy her behavior improves. Over time, with childish honesty, she reveals details of her abuse at the hands of her parents and others. It becomes clear that Jodie's parents were involved in a sickening pedophile ring, with neighbors and Social Services not seeing what should have been obvious signs. Unfortunately Jodie becomes increasingly withdrawn, and it's clear she needs psychiatric therapy. Cathy urges the Social Services to provide funding, but instead they decide to take Jodie away from her, and place her in a residential unit. Although the pedophile ring is investigated and brought to justice, Jodie's future is still up in the air. Cathy promises that she will stand by her no matter what—er love for the abandoned Jodie is unbreakable.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Cannot fail to move those who read it.' Adoption-net 'Heartbreaking.' The Mirror 'A truly harrowing read that made me cry.' The Sun 'A true tale of hope. ****.' OK! 'Foster carers rarely get the praise they deserve, but Cathy Glass's book should change all that.****' First Magazine 'A hugely touching and emotional true tale.' Star Magazine

About the Author

Cathy Glass has been a foster carer for more than 20 years, during which time she has looked after more than 50 children, of all ages and backgrounds. Cathy runs training courses on fostering for her local Social Services, and helps draft new fostering procedures and guidelines. Her other titles include Cut, Hidden, and Saddest Girl in the World.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK; New Ed edition (August 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007236360
• ISBN-13: 978-0007236367
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #218,314 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I have been a writer for as long as I can remember - articles, short stories, poems, the odd radio play, and writing competitions. Like many writers it was a hobby, something I did almost furtively in my spare time, while employed in my 'bread and butter' work, and looking after my family; all the while waiting to be discovered. The big one, the novel I sent out and was rejected - 'we very much liked your story but our lists are full'. For the last 23 years I have also been a foster carer - looking after children who could not be cared for by their own parents, often rising at 4.30 to write as that was the only free (and quiet) time. Then miraculously the two halves of my life - writer and foster carer - came together in a way that was truly the stuff of dreams. I wrote about a child I had fostered and it immediately became a number one best seller.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Damaged, November 27, 2007

By 

Lisa K. Mitchell (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Damaged (Hardcover)

Cathy Glass writes a powerful visual book which cannot fail to unleash a stream of emotions in the reader. The disturbing account of little Jodie's eight long suffering years filled me with despair, and more. The incompetence and short sightedness of the Social Services brought intense anger. But, thanks to her carer, Cathy, who introduces stability, structure and most of all love to this damaged child, made me realize there is always hope.
This is a well written page turner.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Painful. Moving. Inspiring., April 4, 2009

By 

Book Goddess "Jersey Mom" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Damaged (Hardcover)

This book sat on my Mom's shelf for over a year...it was given to her by her friend from England and she never really intended to read it.

I picked it up and read it in one sitting...beginning at 9 PM and finishing somewhere around 3 AM. I kept saying, "Just one more chapter...just one more page...then I MUST go to bed" but I could not put down the story of Jodie and Cathy.

This story evokes a gamut of emotions...from harrowing sorrow to fierce anger. But, ultimately, it left me feeling hopeful...and grateful. Grateful that there are people in this world who stand up for the Jodies of the world.

Jodie is a little girl who spent her first eight years in an abusive nightmare with her biological parents and their revolting circle of "friends". Once freed from that prison, she went through four foster carers in five months. You see, Jodie *is* damaged...damaged by her parents and damaged by the social system that failed her. Her violent personality reflects that. How can anyone come out of the other side of what she has been through and not be damaged/fragmented/lost. But her one, small, stroke of luck was ending up in Cathy's home. She and her amazing children provided Jodie with a safety net that she would never have been granted with from, most likely, any other family.

This book will make you very, very angry. It may possibly make you weep. But you will also rejoice...and, like me, be thankful for the amazing Cathy...and the love she provided that saved a little, lost girl.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreaking!, June 29, 2009

By 

Terry Langham "VC Fan" (Clyde, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Damaged (Paperback)

I love kids and when I read this book I found myself with a strong urge to see all the bad in the world come upon those who would hurt a little child such as Jodie. I kept trying to imagine as I read, what would happen next or how the book would turn out in the end, then I remembered that this is A TRUE STORY.
If you are faint of heart, be careful reading this heartbreaking story about an 8 year old girl whose life was destroyed and if not for the caring of one woman, would have been condemned to a life of horror forever. I highly recommend this book, Cathy Glass did a wonderful job in telling this tragic true story.