Milestones and Challenges: Investigating Life Course of Young Women with Disabilities who Grew up in Foster Families
Abstract This paper refers to the project Quali –TYDES, GA CR No. P407/11/2009. Aim of the project is to investigate and explain how developments in European, national/local policies are impacting on the lives of young disabled adults. By combining qualitative longitudinal methods (life stories) with critical policy analysis, the project aims to generate a comparative understanding of European, national/local regimes in relation to disability and family. This paper sought to understand life course of young females with disabilities who grow up in foster families. Careful attention is paid at 2 key categories: turning points, resources and capital. The findings show that young females with disabilities participating in the study identified their experience of being accepted by their foster families as the most important turning point during their life course. Similarly support provided to them by their foster families was identified as a crucial life course element related to category resources and capital.