Social services saved me from a life of abuse

FOR years he lived in utter isolation, was refused life-saving insulin if he misbehaved and treated like a slave by those who were meant to love him most.

But 14-year-old Joe Smith is a survivor of the kind of violence hundreds of children die from every single year.

Joe’s life was thrown into upheaval as a toddler when his mother, wracked with grief at the suicide of her partner, gave Joe up as he grew to look more like his tragic dad.

But rather than be welcomed into the bosom of a new loving family, Joe found that nothing but cruelty and violence awaited him at the hands of a relative.

From as young as five he was forced to cook, clean and pick up faeces left by the dog.

“If I didn’t do it properly or I took too long, I’d be thrown across the room or kicked or hit round the head. Once I was thrown down the stairs,” he said.

“I always thought that having a child was supposed to be the best thing to happen to someone, that a baby was a gift but I think I was more of a burden – a slave really.”

Joe, who has type one diabetes, would also be left to fend for himself when it came to keeping his sugar levels under control. When he ‘misbehaved’ he would be denied his life-saving insulin.

“They had a cupboard with food just for me and would just leave me to it. I couldn’t control my diabetes so I’d eat and my sugar levels would get too high.”

There wasn’t much solace to be found at school either as this was the one place Joe could channel his anger – sadly to the detriment of his education.

“I was a bit of a naughty kid really,” he said. “The teachers would always give me lots of chances but I always acted up. Then again I never stayed at any one school long enough to settle down.”

But then in one day Joe’s life was transformed when he was admitted to hospital after going into hypoglycaemic shock.

“I’d been in hospital a lot over the years which meant eventually social services came to see me,” he said, “I’d always told them I was clumsy or this was an accident but this time I was scared I’d never have another chance so I told them everything.”

In actual fact Joe’s legs were covered with bruises upon bruises upon bruises, and when his diabetes was ruled out as the cause, medical staff became concerned.

It has been two years since Joe found the love he deserved, this time with his grandparents who – unknown to Joe – had spent nearly three years and £9,000 fighting to see him.

“I am so much happier now,” he said. “I am allowed to be a child here and play games and laugh, it was a while before I got used to it but I love it here.”

Joe now counts among his hobbies, being an avid fan of Swindon Town FC and cooking. He one day hopes to become a chef and launch a cookbook especially for diabetics.

“I can think of a future now,” he said “I really want to be a chef and love to cook for my family, my grandparents are always encouraging me.”

But one thing still plagues Joe’s thoughts.

“I want other children to speak out if they’re going through what I went through. I know there are so many children who are going through worse and they must tell someone.

“It’s difficult to trust people when the people you’re supposed to trust the most abuse you but find the strength to tell someone and your life will change for the better.”