I read the letter to children, it made me cry
To the world outside everything was fine, a normal middle class family.
To the world outside everything was fine, a normal middle class family.
Loss of connection with a parent
It felt as though our family had a shameful secret that couldn’t be discussed
I wanted people to understand, to know what I was going through, but no one understands unless they’ve experienced it themselves and I was too messed up to let people get close.
I wanted people to understand, to know what I was going through, but no one understands unless they’ve experienced it themselves and I was too messed up to let people get close.
I felt like I was made up of pieces from other people
I have had the courage to heal the sickness inside me. To rid myself of the shame and blame and guilt that was never mine anyway.
I have had the courage to heal the sickness inside me. To rid myself of the shame and blame and guilt that was never mine anyway.
Mind the gap
There was a silence filled with clanging feelings of humiliation and doubt and fear.
There was a silence filled with clanging feelings of humiliation and doubt and fear.
Safe as houses: No one hits you, yells at you. But there is a great secret, betrayed only by the knowing looks of others
But you will keep the secret to yourself that isn’t even a secret.. You don’t talk about it, you don’t talk about yourself, you don’t talk about your family, you keep your hopes and dreams to yourself but you don’t know why.
But you will keep the secret to yourself that isn’t even a secret.. You don’t talk about it, you don’t talk about yourself, you don’t talk about your family, you keep your hopes and dreams to yourself but you don’t know why.
The Two Mothers
I am haunted by the idea that the telling of these dark truths is an unwarranted betrayal of my mother.
I am haunted by the idea that the telling of these dark truths is an unwarranted betrayal of my mother.
I thought no one would understand what it was like for me – but you may find they do.
I remember I used to find empty drink bottles, hidden in the garage.
I remember I used to find empty drink bottles, hidden in the garage.
Someone dies of cancer, it’s a tragedy, someone dies of alcoholism it’s an embarrassment
“I love/hate you”, “I’m proud of you” / “ What the hell are you doing with your life?
“I love/hate you”, “I’m proud of you” / “ What the hell are you doing with your life?
My name is Shelby I’m 19 and I live in Exeter
Me and my brother were placed together and we had an amazing foster mum.
Me and my brother were placed together and we had an amazing foster mum.
I don’t know what’s more heart breaking
What I don’t ever do though is say out loud, mum you’re drinking too much, have you thought about stopping.
What I don’t ever do though is say out loud, mum you’re drinking too much, have you thought about stopping.
