About Judy, author of Grand Love
Judy was trained as an infants/primary teacher and at 18 years old found herself with a class of 52 kindergarten children!
Having her own children made Judy even more interested in child development. She went on to spend several years as a consultant with the Department of Education, first in the area of primary science, and later in writing and reading.
Judy finished her teaching career as an assistant principal and began to enjoy the free life that retirement promised. In retirement she found great pleasure working with adult literacy and an intellectual disability group.
When Judy’s granddaughter, Sapphire came to live with her because neither of Sapphire’s parents were able to meet her needs, Judy’s life changed very quickly. Grand Love tells of those changes.
Judy went on to join a newly formed support group called Grandparents as Parents (GAPS) and met some very special grandparents that she grew to admire and love. Judy had never heard stories like the ones she was told by the other Grandparents at GAPS. Stories of distress, of children suffering badly from neglect, abuse and loss were unfortunately very common.
A number of grandparents she began to meet were the sole carers of their grandchildren. Some received financial assistance, while others had none. Most met barriers when they asked for help and were struggling to manage their grandchildrenʼs very challenging behaviour. Their trials lasted for years and many broke down in tears as they poured out their stories.
The only way Judy felt she could help was to write about these grandparents and raise awareness in the community and in service organisations of what was really happening in these very special and unique families. Grand Love is the result.
Having her own children made Judy even more interested in child development. She went on to spend several years as a consultant with the Department of Education, first in the area of primary science, and later in writing and reading.
Judy finished her teaching career as an assistant principal and began to enjoy the free life that retirement promised. In retirement she found great pleasure working with adult literacy and an intellectual disability group.
When Judy’s granddaughter, Sapphire came to live with her because neither of Sapphire’s parents were able to meet her needs, Judy’s life changed very quickly. Grand Love tells of those changes.
Judy went on to join a newly formed support group called Grandparents as Parents (GAPS) and met some very special grandparents that she grew to admire and love. Judy had never heard stories like the ones she was told by the other Grandparents at GAPS. Stories of distress, of children suffering badly from neglect, abuse and loss were unfortunately very common.
A number of grandparents she began to meet were the sole carers of their grandchildren. Some received financial assistance, while others had none. Most met barriers when they asked for help and were struggling to manage their grandchildrenʼs very challenging behaviour. Their trials lasted for years and many broke down in tears as they poured out their stories.
The only way Judy felt she could help was to write about these grandparents and raise awareness in the community and in service organisations of what was really happening in these very special and unique families. Grand Love is the result.