IS-Abel is a memoir tracing the remarkable journey of Isabel Kelly, who was abandoned by her mother at just four months old and placed in Northern Ireland’s care system. The narrative explores her childhood in a children’s home, marked by emotional and physical abuse, neglect, identity struggles, and the long-lasting effects of early trauma.

Despite repeated setbacks – including failing her O-Levels/GCSEs twice – Isabel’s determination never wavered. She ultimately achieved what no foster child in her region had before: becoming the first foster child to graduate from university. Along the way, she sought emotional healing, engaged with counselling and faith, and embarked on a process of forgiveness – of both others and herself – that she describes as transformative.

The memoir also highlights systemic failures: insufficient emotional support, punitive regimes in children’s homes, limited assistance after leaving care, and even small but meaningful errors, like the misspelling of her name on official documents. Yet, Isabel refuses to be defined by these deficits. Instead, IS-Abel is as much about triumph as trauma. She builds a life grounded in love – through her husband and the family she creates – in purpose, helping others, and in the belief that resilience is real.

Ultimately, IS-Abel is a story of hope. It affirms that your start does not have to determine your finish, and that even when systems fail, the human spirit can heal, connect, and flourish. It offers a raw, honest look at what growing up in care can feel like and serves as a beacon for anyone touched by adoption or foster care, anyone seeking belonging, or anyone navigating the long-term effects of childhood adversity.