One Windsor couple is being recognized for fostering 214 children with no plans to stop any time soon. Bob and Cindy LaBrecque have been given the Foster Parent Association of Ontario 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award. Cindy says fostering is full of ups and downs. "We have had two children who have passed away in our care. They were both medically fragile," she explains. "We've had lots of laughter, we've had lots of sad times. Our family goes with humour and we try and see humour in as much as we can." One of the many success stories for the family is 18-year-old Celine, who has been with the LaBrecques since she was five. "It was hard when I first moved in, but then as the years came by it was like I'm pretty good here, I'm going to stay here," Celine says. "I can't speak words about it." Her foster father Bob often gets emotional when thinking about Celine's past. "Celine's been through some real challenges that would have brought grown men to their knees," Bob says. "Somehow Celine and the other many, many kids we've had the privilege of knowing find a reason to hope and to keep going. I don't understand how." One of the most rewarding parts, they say, is watching their kids grow up knowing the small role they played. Both Cindy and Bob live by the philosophy "when you're in a position to help, why don't you?"
The LaBrecque family is being recognized for fostering more than 200 children. Cindy, left, Celine and Bob, right, are pictured in this photo, October 22, 2015. (Photo by Jason Viau)
