She's a girl with her issues, our Anna. Aged 13, she has been in and outof care for years. She goes missing regularly, hanging out with somedodgy older blokes. Her arms, crisscrossed with scars, bear testimony tohow she feels about herself.
She is considered a nuisance, one of those children you can do nothingfor. Too damaged, too off the wall. She can be violent. I've heard staffcall her "attention-seeking" and I complained after hearing one describeher as "Sister of Chucky". Not on. If that's the attitude, what's theimpact?
I've known Anna for just over a year. When I first met her, she told meI was a bit weird, which made me laugh. We built up a relationship andshe always drops by when she's in the area to have a cuppa and talkabout what's happening. We don't see each other much, but always talklots when we do, and I've advocated for her when decisions have beenmade about changing placements.
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