I felt abandoned. I felt invisible. I felt like I didn’t matter.
I felt abandoned. I felt invisible. I felt like I didn’t matter.
We had little chance of developing as healthy children.
We had little chance of developing as healthy children.
From around the age of nine, I began to understand that my mum was struggling with alcoholism.
From around the age of nine, I began to understand that my mum was struggling with alcoholism.
From the outside the house looked like any other, but inside was a different matter.
From the outside the house looked like any other, but inside was a different matter.
My Dad’s drinking was the backdrop of my childhood, always dictating the atmosphere in our home.
My Dad’s drinking was the backdrop of my childhood, always dictating the atmosphere in our home.
Behind his bright smile, he fought a silent battle with alcohol.
Behind his bright smile, he fought a silent battle with alcohol.
I’m still angry but I know it’s not something he had control of.
I’m still angry but I know it’s not something he had control of.
I often wonder what I would tell you if I had just one more day to spend with you.
I often wonder what I would tell you if I had just one more day to spend with you.
Mandy’s mother was talented, loving and kind when sober. When drunk, she was a monster.
Mandy’s mother was talented, loving and kind when sober. When drunk, she was a monster.
She was an alcoholic. So much shame and secrecy surrounded that word.
She was an alcoholic. So much shame and secrecy surrounded that word.