13/03/2026
In a week set aside to honour women, I’m doing a ‘shout-out’ (as my daughters say 😊) to my mum. Mum would never have thought of herself as strong or successful &, seen through the eyes of the world, she probably wasn’t…and, I’m ashamed to admit, I could see her this way too. She was complex, pitied, misunderstood and medicalised with severe mental illness, spending too much of her life sectioned in wards I’d feel sad leaving my dog in. Not because they weren’t sterile but because they were; Devoid of so much that is fundamental to wellbeing*. She is buried under many painful memories. But she is fundamental to everything I do and believe in - well the better parts of me - and has informed my beliefs about what people truly need to repair, to thrive and to connect. She ‘succeeded’ against all odds to be independent, to fight for what she needed, she had such integrity and she loved fiercely. It could be, and often was, uncomfortable for those around her and I took too long to realise how extraordinary she was. It’s said often but understood little, ‘the playing field of life is not level’…we cannot compare eg. (who I think is incredible) with my mother. No-one truly knows how to successfully measure a person’s worth, and yet we unceasingly do. Let’s challenge mainstream definitions of success and potential which often exclude the ordinary…. for the truth is the, often unknown, success and potential in every person we meet is extraordinary🙏🏽💜
*please don’t for one second think I don’t appreciate the dedication of every hospital, nurse, psychologist, medic who supported my mum. I am challenging our world’s neglect, even denial, and lack of understanding of mental health. This has directly led to under-resourcing and this has a devastating effect on all our lives.
