The fact is, she was ill

It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

The fact is, she was ill


It’s funny what you remember. Some days I can barely remember to brush my hair in the morning; and yet the moment my Dad told me my mum was dead, is as vivid in my mind as if it only happened last week. 

6.04pm. It was a Tuesday and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air had literally just started. I was sitting in the front room, curled up in ‘my chair’ cracking on with my home work as I did every day. Dad hadn’t long been in from work. I had called up to mum; who was in her bedroom, when I got home from school, but hadn’t got a reply. It wasn’t unusual for her to be asleep when I got in; and so I thought nothing of it, and thankfully, as it would turn out, hadn’t gone up to see her.

I remember the words: ‘Charlotte, I don’t know how to tell you this, but I think your mum’s dead’. 

I imagine that people would think that they would crumple at being told such a thing, but all I felt was annoyance. I know that sounds like an odd reaction, but my Mum was pretty ill, I realise this now. At the time, her manic episodes and her crushing lows were a usual and irritating occurrence. It sounds awful now, but as a teenager I got so exhausted of her bullshit. Crying uncontrollably because she saw an old woman struggling to cross the street. Buying tin after tin of reduced-to-clear items at the supermarket every day. Doing other things that I won’t mention, because it’s not something I would want my mother’s memory tainted by.

The fact is, she was ill. It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it. 

Anyway, back to finding out my Mum was dead. After my Dad told me, I think I swore under my breath and got up intending to go upstairs and tell her to pack in attention seeking again. I stormed up stairs, my Dad following behind, no doubt in a state of shock. I entered her bedroom and there she was on the bed. The room stank as per usual, of general uncleanliness, urine, cigarette smoke and was unnaturally still. I can only describe it as if all the ‘life’ had been sucked out of the room. I moved over to the side of the bed she was lying on; I think she may have been face down but I can’t really remember. I know I felt for a pulse, and as soon as I touched her skin I knew she was dead. 

I don’t really remember a lot of what happened next. I called 999, the operator told me how to perform CPR, I related that to my Dad who performed CPR until the ambulance arrived. Then we went downstairs and waited. 

It turned out, that despite telling me that she had stopped drinking, her room was full of bottles of spirits. The official cause of death was ‘alcoholic cardiac myopathy’ and secondary sclerosis of the liver. I’m no doctor, but I believe that she basically drank so much that her organs shut down.. She’d been in hospital a few times and had always told me that the doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong with her. I know now that she was lying and she in fact had sclerosis and was told that she either needed to stop drinking or die. We all know what decision she made.

I think for a long time I’ve tried to make excuses for my Mum. She was a very unhappy person, but that doesn’t excuse some of what she did, some of the things she exposed her daughter to. She could have chosen to accept the medical help that was offered. She could have chosen to stop drinking. She didn’t. She died.

For a long time I was sad that she didn’t think that I was worth living for; that her child didn’t give her enough to hope to try and get better. It’s definitely the cause of a lot of my insecurities and self-esteem issues. If your own mother doesn’t think you’re worth fighting for.

It was bitter sweet when I became a mother. My mum wasn’t there when I was pregnant to warn me about things like how painful it is when your milk comes in. I didn’t necessarily miss it. My mum died when I was 15; so by the time I became a mother, I’d lived longer without her as with her. If anything I feel really angry with her for being so bloody selfish.

Looking at my girls I can never imagine not fighting for them, I would never give up on life while they’re here to live for. I understand what my Mum did even less. I feel so resigned to it now though that I don’t have the energy to be angry. It won’t change anything. I think I have however realised that it’s ok to be angry with her. It doesn’t mean I love her any less and just because someone has died doesn’t mean you have to make a saint of them. Christ knows my Mum was no saint and she’d be the first to tell you that.

I will never understand her and the decisions she made. There are days when I’m angry, there a days when I’m sad, but more often than not I feel abandoned and I will never leave my girls the way she left me.

@charliehs83

Categories:

The fact is, she was ill

It doesn't excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

The fact is, she was ill

It doesn't excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • About Nacoa

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • About Nacoa

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Hello!

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Nacoa branding - style guide

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Contact us Person looking at Nacoa's website for people affected by a parent's drinking to show different ways to contact for support or to get involved with the charity to help other children of alcoholics

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Governance

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • History

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Nacoa Helpline

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Calling the helpline

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Helpline FAQs

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Managing browser history

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Monitoring & evaluation

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Policies & procedures

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Our people

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Abie Dunlop

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Amanda Brett

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Amy Dickson

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Carolyn Jones

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Ceri Walker

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Dr Anne-Marie Barron

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Dr Piers Henriques

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Euan Graham Euan Graham

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Hilary Henriques MBE

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Jane Elson

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Josh Connolly

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Katy Stafford

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Laura Leadbeater

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Laurence McAllister Alleyne

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Maya Parker MA

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Peter Irwin

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Patrons & ambassadors

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • The Nacoa Promise

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Experiences Search Result

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Get involved

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Donate or become a member

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • About Gift Aid

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Become a corporate member

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Become a member

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Welcome new member

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Donate in memory

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Gift in your will

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Give in celebration

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Make a donation

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Thank you!

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • More ways to give

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Fundraising

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Thank you for signing up to Big Nacoa Walk 2024! Big Nacoa Walk thumbnail

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Raise awareness

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Sponsored events

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Volunteering

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Nacoa Volunteer Application Form

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Message boards

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Log In

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Message board rules of conduct

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Start a new topic

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Nacoa: Helping everyone affected by their parent's drinking Nacoa UK Helping everyone affected by their parent's drinking

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • News & events

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Events

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Features

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Latest

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • News

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Privacy and cookies policy

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Research & resources

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Books, videos and media

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Nacoa professionals training

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Nacoa publications

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Research

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Widening Access

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Some Punjabi and Sikh parents drink too much…

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Support & advice

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Adults

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Books, videos and media

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • FAQs

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Help and advice

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Information

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Personal experiences

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Children

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Books, videos and media

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • FAQs

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Help and advice

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Information

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Personal experiences

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Concerned others & professionals

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Books, videos and media

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • FAQs

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Help and advice

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Information

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Personal experiences

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Young people

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Books, videos and media

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • FAQs

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Help and advice

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Information

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Personal experiences

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

  • Topics

    It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it.

The fact is, she was ill


It’s funny what you remember. Some days I can barely remember to brush my hair in the morning; and yet the moment my Dad told me my mum was dead, is as vivid in my mind as if it only happened last week. 

6.04pm. It was a Tuesday and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air had literally just started. I was sitting in the front room, curled up in ‘my chair’ cracking on with my home work as I did every day. Dad hadn’t long been in from work. I had called up to mum; who was in her bedroom, when I got home from school, but hadn’t got a reply. It wasn’t unusual for her to be asleep when I got in; and so I thought nothing of it, and thankfully, as it would turn out, hadn’t gone up to see her.

I remember the words: ‘Charlotte, I don’t know how to tell you this, but I think your mum’s dead’. 

I imagine that people would think that they would crumple at being told such a thing, but all I felt was annoyance. I know that sounds like an odd reaction, but my Mum was pretty ill, I realise this now. At the time, her manic episodes and her crushing lows were a usual and irritating occurrence. It sounds awful now, but as a teenager I got so exhausted of her bullshit. Crying uncontrollably because she saw an old woman struggling to cross the street. Buying tin after tin of reduced-to-clear items at the supermarket every day. Doing other things that I won’t mention, because it’s not something I would want my mother’s memory tainted by.

The fact is, she was ill. It doesn’t excuse some of what she did but it does go some way to explaining it. 

Anyway, back to finding out my Mum was dead. After my Dad told me, I think I swore under my breath and got up intending to go upstairs and tell her to pack in attention seeking again. I stormed up stairs, my Dad following behind, no doubt in a state of shock. I entered her bedroom and there she was on the bed. The room stank as per usual, of general uncleanliness, urine, cigarette smoke and was unnaturally still. I can only describe it as if all the ‘life’ had been sucked out of the room. I moved over to the side of the bed she was lying on; I think she may have been face down but I can’t really remember. I know I felt for a pulse, and as soon as I touched her skin I knew she was dead. 

I don’t really remember a lot of what happened next. I called 999, the operator told me how to perform CPR, I related that to my Dad who performed CPR until the ambulance arrived. Then we went downstairs and waited. 

It turned out, that despite telling me that she had stopped drinking, her room was full of bottles of spirits. The official cause of death was ‘alcoholic cardiac myopathy’ and secondary sclerosis of the liver. I’m no doctor, but I believe that she basically drank so much that her organs shut down.. She’d been in hospital a few times and had always told me that the doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong with her. I know now that she was lying and she in fact had sclerosis and was told that she either needed to stop drinking or die. We all know what decision she made.

I think for a long time I’ve tried to make excuses for my Mum. She was a very unhappy person, but that doesn’t excuse some of what she did, some of the things she exposed her daughter to. She could have chosen to accept the medical help that was offered. She could have chosen to stop drinking. She didn’t. She died.

For a long time I was sad that she didn’t think that I was worth living for; that her child didn’t give her enough to hope to try and get better. It’s definitely the cause of a lot of my insecurities and self-esteem issues. If your own mother doesn’t think you’re worth fighting for.

It was bitter sweet when I became a mother. My mum wasn’t there when I was pregnant to warn me about things like how painful it is when your milk comes in. I didn’t necessarily miss it. My mum died when I was 15; so by the time I became a mother, I’d lived longer without her as with her. If anything I feel really angry with her for being so bloody selfish.

Looking at my girls I can never imagine not fighting for them, I would never give up on life while they’re here to live for. I understand what my Mum did even less. I feel so resigned to it now though that I don’t have the energy to be angry. It won’t change anything. I think I have however realised that it’s ok to be angry with her. It doesn’t mean I love her any less and just because someone has died doesn’t mean you have to make a saint of them. Christ knows my Mum was no saint and she’d be the first to tell you that.

I will never understand her and the decisions she made. There are days when I’m angry, there a days when I’m sad, but more often than not I feel abandoned and I will never leave my girls the way she left me.

@charliehs83

You are not alone

Remember the Six "C"s

I didn’t cause it
I can’t control it
I can’t cure it
I can take care of myself
I can communicate my feelings
I can make healthy choices

Resources you may like

Keep in touch

To find out more about our events and activities, subscribe to our mailing list

We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp’s privacy practices.