Inspirational - Jamie Baulch looks for his family

What a great programme I just watched!!

Jamie Baulch, Olympic medallist and TV presenter, as Welsh as you like but adopted from the Nottingham area finds his birth Mum and others. Just a great story and what an ambassador for adoption, athletics and Wales!

If you haven't seen it, get it on iPlayer. I won't give anything else away but it is a heartwarming tale and Jamie comes over as usual as a really great guy.

I hope some youngsters were watching tonight because it must inspire someone to go for greatness in sport.

What a great programme I just watched!!

Jamie Baulch, Olympic medallist and TV presenter, as Welsh as you like but adopted from the Nottingham area finds his birth Mum and others. Just a great story and what an ambassador for adoption, athletics and Wales!

If you haven't seen it, get it on iPlayer. I won't give anything else away but it is a heartwarming tale and Jamie comes over as usual as a really great guy.

I hope some youngsters were watching tonight because it must inspire someone to go for greatness in sport.

From my local town a great guy always talks to everyone and very down to earth family man

Seen it on but missed half so will watch on catch up tomorrow

I watched it and being adopted myself It had the added interest for me. However unfortunately it also showed just how helpful the adoption agencies are if it benefits their own agenda.

My wife and I were given the run around for over 4 years by the adoption agency and after that programme tonight she asked me whether I would want to look for my birth parents but that experience we had ensured that I would never allow the adoption agencies into my home ever again.

I watched it and being adopted myself It had the added interest for me. However unfortunately it also showed just how helpful the adoption agencies are if it benefits their own agenda.

My wife and I were given the run around for over 4 years by the adoption agency and after that programme tonight she asked me whether I would want to look for my birth parents but that experience we had ensured that I would never allow the adoption agencies into my home ever again.

Don't take this personally but the stuff you come out with on here, they wouldn't allow you to adopt.

I watched it and being adopted myself It had the added interest for me. However unfortunately it also showed just how helpful the adoption agencies are if it benefits their own agenda.

My wife and I were given the run around for over 4 years by the adoption agency and after that programme tonight she asked me whether I would want to look for my birth parents but that experience we had ensured that I would never allow the adoption agencies into my home ever again.

Don't take this personally but the stuff you come out with on here, they wouldn't allow you to adopt.

After being on the adoption board of Merthyr Council and someone who was trusted to help place children with adopted parents I have seen first hand of how selective they are. Being a councillor was the reason why I couldn't adopt and they didn't have the balls to tell me until years after the application.

Also I've wanted to look at my personal background and all you get is blocks because they have never got the staff available to talk to you.

I watched it and being adopted myself It had the added interest for me. However unfortunately it also showed just how helpful the adoption agencies are if it benefits their own agenda.

My wife and I were given the run around for over 4 years by the adoption agency and after that programme tonight she asked me whether I would want to look for my birth parents but that experience we had ensured that I would never allow the adoption agencies into my home ever again.

Don't take this personally but the stuff you come out with on here, they wouldn't allow you to adopt.

After being on the adoption board of Merthyr Council and someone who was trusted to help place children with adopted parents I have seen first hand of how selective they are. Being a councillor was the reason why I couldn't adopt and they didn't have the balls to tell me until years after the application.

Also I've wanted to look at my personal background and all you get is blocks because they have never got the staff available to talk to you.

I know it's tough for people to adopt,the systems not fit for purpose.Like I said nothing personal,probably tough for your wife.A lot of kids need homes just a shame it didn't work out for you.

I watched it and being adopted myself It had the added interest for me. However unfortunately it also showed just how helpful the adoption agencies are if it benefits their own agenda.

My wife and I were given the run around for over 4 years by the adoption agency and after that programme tonight she asked me whether I would want to look for my birth parents but that experience we had ensured that I would never allow the adoption agencies into my home ever again.

Don't take this personally but the stuff you come out with on here, they wouldn't allow you to adopt.

After being on the adoption board of Merthyr Council and someone who was trusted to help place children with adopted parents I have seen first hand of how selective they are. Being a councillor was the reason why I couldn't adopt and they didn't have the balls to tell me until years after the application.

Also I've wanted to look at my personal background and all you get is blocks because they have never got the staff available to talk to you.

I know it's tough for people to adopt,the systems not fit for purpose.Like I said nothing personal,probably tough for your wife.A lot of kids need homes just a shame it didn't work out for you.

They are middle class scum the lot of them. They blanket banned smokers from adopting now without giving smokers the opportunity to prove their responsibility by smoking outside and away from the children. The result of such a ban is hat more and more kids end up in care.

I watched it and being adopted myself It had the added interest for me. However unfortunately it also showed just how helpful the adoption agencies are if it benefits their own agenda.

My wife and I were given the run around for over 4 years by the adoption agency and after that programme tonight she asked me whether I would want to look for my birth parents but that experience we had ensured that I would never allow the adoption agencies into my home ever again.

Don't take this personally but the stuff you come out with on here, they wouldn't allow you to adopt.

After being on the adoption board of Merthyr Council and someone who was trusted to help place children with adopted parents I have seen first hand of how selective they are. Being a councillor was the reason why I couldn't adopt and they didn't have the balls to tell me until years after the application.

Also I've wanted to look at my personal background and all you get is blocks because they have never got the staff available to talk to you.

I know it's tough for people to adopt,the systems not fit for purpose.Like I said nothing personal,probably tough for your wife.A lot of kids need homes just a shame it didn't work out for you.

They are middle class scum the lot of them. They blanket banned smokers from adopting now without giving smokers the opportunity to prove their responsibility by smoking outside and away from the children. The result of such a ban is hat more and more kids end up in care.

Adopt from abroad, a lot do it these days.

I watched it and being adopted myself It had the added interest for me. However unfortunately it also showed just how helpful the adoption agencies are if it benefits their own agenda.

My wife and I were given the run around for over 4 years by the adoption agency and after that programme tonight she asked me whether I would want to look for my birth parents but that experience we had ensured that I would never allow the adoption agencies into my home ever again.

Don't take this personally but the stuff you come out with on here, they wouldn't allow you to adopt.

Also for the record if we are continuing this conversation it has been mentioned that my adoptive background is linked to some of my behaviour because the way I was told (early teens) is know proven to be the wrong way of going about it.

I watched it and being adopted myself It had the added interest for me. However unfortunately it also showed just how helpful the adoption agencies are if it benefits their own agenda.

My wife and I were given the run around for over 4 years by the adoption agency and after that programme tonight she asked me whether I would want to look for my birth parents but that experience we had ensured that I would never allow the adoption agencies into my home ever again.

Don't take this personally but the stuff you come out with on here, they wouldn't allow you to adopt.

After being on the adoption board of Merthyr Council and someone who was trusted to help place children with adopted parents I have seen first hand of how selective they are. Being a councillor was the reason why I couldn't adopt and they didn't have the balls to tell me until years after the application.

Also I've wanted to look at my personal background and all you get is blocks because they have never got the staff available to talk to you.

I know it's tough for people to adopt,the systems not fit for purpose.Like I said nothing personal,probably tough for your wife.A lot of kids need homes just a shame it didn't work out for you.

They are middle class scum the lot of them. They blanket banned smokers from adopting now without giving smokers the opportunity to prove their responsibility by smoking outside and away from the children. The result of such a ban is hat more and more kids end up in care.

Adopt from abroad, a lot do it these days.

Even tougher unfortunately as you need their acceptance to get a child into he country.

I watched it and being adopted myself It had the added interest for me. However unfortunately it also showed just how helpful the adoption agencies are if it benefits their own agenda.

My wife and I were given the run around for over 4 years by the adoption agency and after that programme tonight she asked me whether I would want to look for my birth parents but that experience we had ensured that I would never allow the adoption agencies into my home ever again.

Don't take this personally but the stuff you come out with on here, they wouldn't allow you to adopt.

Also for the record if we are continuing this conversation it has been mentioned that my adoptive background is linked to some of my behaviour because the way I was told (early teens) is know proven to be the wrong way of going about it.

Ye sure we all carry the traits of our upbringing,not your falt.We're a product of our environment.

I watched it and being adopted myself It had the added interest for me. However unfortunately it also showed just how helpful the adoption agencies are if it benefits their own agenda.

My wife and I were given the run around for over 4 years by the adoption agency and after that programme tonight she asked me whether I would want to look for my birth parents but that experience we had ensured that I would never allow the adoption agencies into my home ever again.

Don't take this personally but the stuff you come out with on here, they wouldn't allow you to adopt.

After being on the adoption board of Merthyr Council and someone who was trusted to help place children with adopted parents I have seen first hand of how selective they are. Being a councillor was the reason why I couldn't adopt and they didn't have the balls to tell me until years after the application.

Also I've wanted to look at my personal background and all you get is blocks because they have never got the staff available to talk to you.

I know it's tough for people to adopt,the systems not fit for purpose.Like I said nothing personal,probably tough for your wife.A lot of kids need homes just a shame it didn't work out for you.

They are middle class scum the lot of them. They blanket banned smokers from adopting now without giving smokers the opportunity to prove their responsibility by smoking outside and away from the children. The result of such a ban is hat more and more kids end up in care.

Adopt from abroad, a lot do it these days.

Even tougher unfortunately as you need their acceptance to get a child into he country.

Shocking

I watched it and being adopted myself It had the added interest for me. However unfortunately it also showed just how helpful the adoption agencies are if it benefits their own agenda.

My wife and I were given the run around for over 4 years by the adoption agency and after that programme tonight she asked me whether I would want to look for my birth parents but that experience we had ensured that I would never allow the adoption agencies into my home ever again.

Don't take this personally but the stuff you come out with on here, they wouldn't allow you to adopt.

Also for the record if we are continuing this conversation it has been mentioned that my adoptive background is linked to some of my behaviour because the way I was told (early teens) is know proven to be the wrong way of going about it.

Ye sure we all carry the traits of our upbringing,not your falt.We're a product of our environment.

My parents followed their advice in the 70s so who's fault is it ?

I watched it and being adopted myself It had the added interest for me. However unfortunately it also showed just how helpful the adoption agencies are if it benefits their own agenda.

My wife and I were given the run around for over 4 years by the adoption agency and after that programme tonight she asked me whether I would want to look for my birth parents but that experience we had ensured that I would never allow the adoption agencies into my home ever again.

Don't take this personally but the stuff you come out with on here, they wouldn't allow you to adopt.

After being on the adoption board of Merthyr Council and someone who was trusted to help place children with adopted parents I have seen first hand of how selective they are. Being a councillor was the reason why I couldn't adopt and they didn't have the balls to tell me until years after the application.

Also I've wanted to look at my personal background and all you get is blocks because they have never got the staff available to talk to you.

I know it's tough for people to adopt,the systems not fit for purpose.Like I said nothing personal,probably tough for your wife.A lot of kids need homes just a shame it didn't work out for you.

They are middle class scum the lot of them. They blanket banned smokers from adopting now without giving smokers the opportunity to prove their responsibility by smoking outside and away from the children. The result of such a ban is hat more and more kids end up in care.

Adopt from abroad, a lot do it these days.

Even tougher unfortunately as you need their acceptance to get a child into he country.

Shocking

And I wonder have adoptive agencies would have allowed Jimmy Saville to adopt ?

I watched it and being adopted myself It had the added interest for me. However unfortunately it also showed just how helpful the adoption agencies are if it benefits their own agenda.

My wife and I were given the run around for over 4 years by the adoption agency and after that programme tonight she asked me whether I would want to look for my birth parents but that experience we had ensured that I would never allow the adoption agencies into my home ever again.

Don't take this personally but the stuff you come out with on here, they wouldn't allow you to adopt.

Also for the record if we are continuing this conversation it has been mentioned that my adoptive background is linked to some of my behaviour because the way I was told (early teens) is know proven to be the wrong way of going about it.

Ye sure we all carry the traits of our upbringing,not your falt.We're a product of our environment.

My parents followed their advice in the 70s so who's fault is it ?

I'm with you.

This was the only reason why I left the leading Independent group in Merthyr Council because they supported me up until the vote and stabbed me in the back. The following day UKIP were on the phone:

A COUNCIL has become the first in Wales to impose a blanket ban on smokers adopting or fostering children.

Anti-smoking campaigners last night welcomed the move by Merthyr Tydfil council, but critics have pointed out there are already not enough foster parents in Wales.

They fear the changes might discourage potential carers from coming forward and could jeopardise the future of children already in the care of smokers.

Increasing numbers of local authorities, including Cardiff and Pembrokeshire, have banned smokers from fostering children under five but this is the nation’s first blanket no-smoking rule for foster carers and adopters.

Roslyn Rees, head of operational children’s services at Merthyr Tydfil council, said: “The health, safety and well-being of children and young people are at the heart of policies and practice related to children.

“We acknowledge that expecting all foster carers who currently smoke to give up immediately is not realistic and that it would be detrimental to remove children from stable foster homes because their carer smokes.”

Anti-smoking campaign group Ash Wales said the move was a step in the right direction. A spokesman said: “Children who are exposed to second-hand smoke are at serious risk of pneumonia, bronchitis, headaches and ear infections. Exposure to second-hand smoke has also been linked to the development and worsening of asthma in children.

“Young children are particularly susceptible to the effects of second-hand smoke because their lungs and airways are small and their immune systems immature. Being exposed to second-hand smoke during childhood may also increase the chance of developing chronic constructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cancer as adults.

“It is however vital that in addition to protecting children from exposure to tobacco smoke, that smokers themselves are supported to quit. In introducing this measure we would urge the local authority to ensure that foster careers are given help and advice on how to quit smoking and how to take the necessary steps to make their home smoke free.”

But others have branded the move discriminatory.

Ex-smoker Pam Brown, 62, of Merthyr, is the adoptive mother of Independent councillor Adam Brown, who has distance himself from his council’s political group over the ban.

Mrs Brown said: “Would they rather a child stay in care than put them with a smoker? What about drinkers and recreational drug users? They can hide that, smokers can’t – it’s a very visible habit.

“I think it’s absolutely disgusting; our freedom on smoking was taken away when we were told we can’t smoke in pubs, but to be told we are not allowed to smoke in our own homes is ridiculous.”

Former Talksport presenter Jon Gaunt – who also spent time in care as a child – was famously sacked after branding a councillor who imposed a similar ban in England “a health Nazi”.

He told the Western Mail’s sister paper the Merthyr Express: “I was in care and the bottom line is the person who saved my life was my aunty Rosemary; she was a hospital matron and smoked like a trooper.”

The ban was condemning children to a life in care, he said. “Most kids who are in a care home, if they have the choice of passive smoking or the very real danger of abuse in a care home, they would choose a smoker every time.”

Sorry if I've stirred up a hornets' nest here. I didn't mean to.
My mother and father fostered 36 children after me and my brothers grew up so I can see what you are getting at. Both my parents smoked but rules were different then. They were on the verge of adopting the last 3 children (a family unit), but sadly my Dad had a major stroke which left him disabled so they "retired" after Mum carried on gallantly for 2 more years.

I sincerely hope Jamie's programme will prompt more volunteers for fostering and adoption but appreciate for you it has. Been a negative experience.

Sorry if I've stirred up a hornets' nest here. I didn't mean to.
My mother and father fostered 36 children after me and my brothers grew up so I can see what you are getting at. Both my parents smoked but rules were different then. They were on the verge of adopting the last 3 children (a ds ily unit), but sadly my Dad had a major stroke which left him disabled so they "retired" after Mum carried on gallantly for 2 more years.

I sincerely hope Jamie's programme will prompt more volunteers for fostering and adoption but appreciate for you it has. Been a negative experience.

Mate I love talking about my adoptive experience throughout my life and seeing people become adoptive parents while I was on the panel on Merthyr Council was very moving but in this area of social services 9 local authorities work together in the area and if you annoy one then you will not have a chance with any of them. Throughout my life my adoptive mum always said that social workers have all the brains but no common sense and I fully agree with that.

What is on the raise is the amount of kids who are forcefully being put into adoption before they are even born!!! And if an adoptive couple are UKIP supporters then they will be turned down

It's a pity that politics can affect children and prospective "parents". The observation about UKIP is disturbing, especially as there is now an MP from that party!!

jamies dad had me in tears when he nearly broke down .... fantastic show