My ‘how to guide’: Becoming the perfect scapegoat
My family members would use my behaviour to justify the parental drinking.
My family members would use my behaviour to justify the parental drinking.
Isolated with the family secret
Caterpillars and Butterflies
The stigma, the family I no longer speak to—what will the backlash be?
The stigma, the family I no longer speak to—what will the backlash be?
Growing Up With a Parent Who is an Alcoholic
Talking about having a family member who is an alcoholic is still taboo in our country.
Talking about having a family member who is an alcoholic is still taboo in our country.
I didn’t have a choice as a child, but I do as an adult
Everyone commented on how lovely she was but behind closed doors she was anything but.
Everyone commented on how lovely she was but behind closed doors she was anything but.
Racing Alone
Training alone. Racing alone. A poem by Lydia to give hope to COAs.
Training alone. Racing alone. A poem by Lydia to give hope to COAs.
Behind closed doors, family life was chaotic
Family life was chaotic, and we would have regular police visits to our home.
Family life was chaotic, and we would have regular police visits to our home.
Our mum was perfect when alcohol was not in her system
Growing up with an alcoholic parent is one of the most heart-wrenching experiences.
Growing up with an alcoholic parent is one of the most heart-wrenching experiences.
Doing hard things and allowing negative experiences to drive positive change
I wanted to give myself a challenge and push myself out of my comfort zone.
I wanted to give myself a challenge and push myself out of my comfort zone.
No One Wants To Talk About ‘The Thing’
Why does no one say anything? Because no one wants to talk about the thing.
Why does no one say anything? Because no one wants to talk about the thing.
Breaking the silence from childhood into adulthood
From moments of silence born out of fear and shame to breaking that silence with a phone call at ten, advocating for safety.
From moments of silence born out of fear and shame to breaking that silence with a phone call at ten, advocating for safety.
