Bashed gran Elizabeth Foster inspired by kids

as posted on PerthNow

WITH just two sleeps until the big day, The Sunday Times and PerthNow bring you some good news for a change - a celebration of some of WA's most inspiring Christmas miracle stories.

BASHED Gosnells grandmother Elizabeth Foster credits her miraculous recovery to the wonderful letters of support she received from a Perth primary school.

When Mrs Foster gets the giggles, she finds it hard to stop.

This week, the Gosnells grandmother met two of the Willandra Primary School students who gave her cause to smile when she needed it most -- as she lay bloodied and bruised in hospital after being bashed in July.

Through months of treatment and rehabilitation, loving letters flooded in from around the state. But it was the kindness of Willandra's Year 7 class that hit a chord.

"What the children wrote was so beautiful. Whenever I felt a little down, I would pick them up or have the nurses read one to me,'' Ms Foster told The Sunday Times.

There were lots of giggles when Ms Foster met Stacey Leeb and Ashlee Bratt this week. She got to thank two of her cheer squad when they dropped in at Ms Foster's son's house in Southern River with teacher Jen Merema.

The Willandra pupils, both 12, were moved to write letters and send paintings after reading about Ms Foster's harrowing assault and seeing the gruesome photos that accompanied reports.

The 79-year-old woke up to find a man at her bed, wielding a weapon. After multiple heavy blows to her head and arms, the intruder fled without a cent.

Ms Foster has never seen the photos of herself that followed. ``I knew how bad I felt, so I didn't need to see how bad I looked,'' she said.

As her skull slowly repaired, and steel inserted into her forearm, the letters were a source of comfort and calm to Ms Foster.

"We just wanted to do anything we could to help her,'' said Stacey.

Teacher Jen Merema beamed as she watched the three chat and share cake on Thursday.

"Elizabeth's story inspired the students in a way you don't see very often,'' she said.

"We have a big focus in the classroom on principles such as courage, tolerance, bravery and kindness and I guess the kids recognised these in Elizabeth.

"But it was the reply they received from Elizabeth that gave them a real kick.''

Despite the steel in her arm and the loss of sight in one eye, Ms Foster wrote back to the class as soon as she could.

"To the wonderful children of Year 7 who sent me so many beautiful drawings and lovely, kind thoughts,'' she wrote.

"I have been home only for a few weeks after more than 3 months in hospital. I have only now been able to read all the cards.

"I thank you, and if I could, I would like to visit your school ... at present it is not possible.

"If I feel a little bit sad, I only have to look at your cards and it truly makes me feel better.

"My writing is not very good because of my injuries. I make a new goal for myself every day and feel good about it when I can achieve it!''

Ms Merema said the children were in awe at the determination Ms Foster had shown through her ordeal.

"It was a good lesson in empathy and fairness for them,'' she said. "The kids knew it was horribly unfair for such a dignified lady to be treated so cruelly.''

Ms Foster is not bitter. "I don't hate the man that did this. I don't really feel anything for him, though I did have a couple of nightmares,'' she said.

"The sad thing is, he could have just asked me for the money and I would have given it to him, but he didn't give me that chance.''

Ms Foster will never drive again, and lives with her family while she tries to sell the Gosnells unit in which she was attacked.

She has been invited to visit Willandra Primary School in the new year. Elizabeth Foster has a lot to teach about courage and grace.

as posted on PerthNow