Shock at the Ministry of Children

RE: Ministry Decision to Remove child from his Foster Home

I am writing this letter to you regarding the decision made by the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

The child in question is a foster child in the care of Eva and Klemens Koester. He has been in their care for close to 10 years. He is severely disabled as a result of shaken-baby syndrome. The Koester’s took him into their home when many people would shy away from this challenge. This exemplifies a true act of love, kindness and generosity. The Koester’s have been taking care of disabled foster children for over 20 years.

Recently it has been brought to my attention that the Ministry has decided to remove him from the only home and family he has ever known and loved. He will be moved to a group home at the end of June 2014.

The Koester’s have taken amazing care of him and provided him with love, nurturing and their undivided attention. He is able to eat, when many kids with his disability are fed with a tube. He does not suffer from bed-sores, when many kids with this disability do. His doctors and other health care providers do not feel moving him is in his best interests. The Ministry has ignored and continues to ignore the advice of his many physicians and other care providers.

The child also attends Kelowna Christian School (KCS) and is in Grade 4. My daughter has shared a classroom with him since kindergarten. All the kids adore him and he has thrived in the KCS school environment. Having him in class in important, as the students are able to practice empathy, grace and consideration for people living with disabilities. He has been able to enjoy attending school in a smaller class environment and to have the daily one on one care and assistance of an assigned teaching assistant.

It is unfathomable to me that he would be removed from an amazing foster home and school. I understand the Ministry is unable to divulge the facts around why he is being removed; however, I can’t think of a single good reason why he would be removed.

The emotional impact this will have on this amazing child will undoubtedly be sadness, loneliness, fear and wondering why his family doesn’t want him anymore. He will wonder where are his friends, the smiling faces of his classmates and his teachers. My heart aches for the emotional pain he will feel. Put your children in this child's shoes.

My request is that you look at this situation and other families who are in the same situation caused by the Ministry, and stop the Ministry from taking these devastating actions. The lives of many are negatively impacted.

Thank you for your careful consideration of this matter.

Paula and Filicia Ciardullo

Founders of

MCFD Unjustified

Your Silence is Your Consent

The name of the child was removed due to privacy concerns.