An Applied Science student from Solihull College & University Centre has published a book of poems to help her deal with her feelings of being a young person in foster care.
19-year-old Bonnie Doyle has been in care since she was nine. She suffers with PTSD, as well as dyspraxia, anxiety and Ehlers-danlos syndrome type 2, which is a connective tissue disorder which increases joint hypermobility.
Bonnie always wanted to express her emotions but found that talking therapies weren’t working for her. She comments: “I would say that poetry found me. I wanted to share my feelings in a healthy way and found that writing them down was a great way of processing my feelings and thoughts. So, I wrote a book and got it published!”
Bonnie has faced many struggles in her life but felt she found her place at Solihull College & University Centre: “Tracy from the safeguarding team helped me just by being there – the enrichment team brought me out of my shell. I have been helping the team with an Epilepsy Awareness event and it’s built up my confidence.”
Bonnie has applied to BCU and Coventry University where she hopes to study Biomedical Science.
Safeguarding Officer, Tracy Harper, is really proud. She comments: “As a care experienced young person. Bonnie has overcome barriers in life with strength and determination. Through expressing herself and sharing her journey in poetry, she turned her challenges into chapters of resilience. Bonnie has not only had her poetry published but she has become a powerful role model – proving that your past does not limit your future.”
The book is called The Glass Girl: A poetry collection and is available on Amazon.
