The following letter was penned in response to Arlene Foster’s recent self congratulatory tweet naming a number of services in Northern Ireland, including Mental Health Services. Dear Ms Foster Although some years ago I was facing regular battles with your Health Ministers, you will not know who I am. My story will not concern you, as I am not a DUP voter, and I do not uphold a conservative “lifestyle”. I am instead a bisexual single mother whose daughter was born out of wedlock. However, I do not see that these factors justify me being left to die while on a two year waiting list for a long o ..read more

In February 2019, I had the immense pleasure of becoming a mother to a beautiful baby girl. To protect her privacy as she grows, I shall only refer to her as Gi in public forums. When Gi entered the world in the early hours, all I could do was look at her in shock. How had I created such a perfect little person? How had something so incredible come from a year of hell? Blood 10 minutes after giving birth, I became aware of a trickling sensation. Instantly, I knew something was wrong. “Mum”, I said, “I think you need to take her”. As I said this, a midwife rushed to pull the emergency buzzer. I ..read more