Posts

Normalising The Narrative: My thoughts on grief and trauma

Normalising the Narrative: My thoughts on grief and trauma. In my previous blog I laid bare the trauma and grief that’s occurred so far in my life. I put so far, as there will inevitably be more to come. That inevitability is always there for the absolute vast majority of us, from day one, it’s inescapable. The trauma each and everyone of us will experience at some point in our lives will be different, one persons trauma will never be the exact same as another’s. However, there will be many similarities. Thinking about the inevitability of grief and trauma, why has the narrative around trauma and grief not been normalised? I know that doesn’t mean it’s not normalised by everyone, and I might be wrong. However, basing it on my experiences as well as simply observing and listening over the last 34 years (yes, I know I know I look younger...) it’s clear to me that the language and actions around the aforementioned grief and trauma is so often suppressed. Suppressed through our own doing....

My story: How getting a puppy has helped me through trauma.

This is my story, often traumatic and it’s not an easy read but I felt compelled to share this. Especially as I now have more confidence in my self than ever. (Hope it lasts, dammit that doesn’t sound very confident!)  It’ll be a long read, well for me anyway as I’m a ridiculously slow reader!  The more we share, the more others are aware. (Not sure if this is a KVB original, but I’m claiming it!) Jan’21 As those of you that I’ve met are aware, I was born in Holland, I think I mention it every now and then! I moved to Exeter, England in August’99 and started secondary school there in September. To move country just as you start high school is extremely difficult as it is but to also do so in another country, culture and language is even more difficult. Especially as I went from attending a €1 Million brand new school in Holland with a non-uniform policy to an old dilapidated school building whilst wearing uniform (green jumper, black trousers and shoes, awful combo! ).  D...