It’s now 6 years since I stood in a hospital
pre-op room waiting for an operation that would save my life. Shedding my warm familiar clothing, I folded myself
into the impersonal hospital gown, knowing that I would not be the one to
remove it.
I climbed onto the plastic coated mattress of the hospital
trolley, hidden behind drawn curtains that obscured the clinical visuals but
heighted the clinical soundscape. Alone I waited, with my thoughts louder
than my surroundings. Should I let in the fear? Just for the count
of 10? I open my mind and my heart feels exposed. 1…2…3…4…5… it's too much to bear, I close the
door on my fear and focus on what I know to be true. I know I am loved, I know I am safe and in
good hands and ultimately, I know that all will be well – and it was.
Today I work with an amazing team of
colleagues at A Way Out charity. The
organisation supports vulnerable women, young people and families many of whom
have faced their own fears.
We hear of the experience of young women who
also find themselves in unfamiliar rooms wearing clothing they know someone
else will remove. Who climb upon a plastic coated mattress – but this one is
lying on a dirty floor. Curtains are
drawn. With thoughts, louder than their
surroundings and warped by alcohol they feel exposed and afraid. Trying to focus upon what they know to be
true – no one loves me, I’m not safe … but
maybe these hands upon by body right now belong to someone who will love and
care for me, maybe all will be well?… but it isn’t…
The role of A Way Out is to reach out,
intervene, prevent further harm and provide support to empower and enable safe
and secure lives… we do this through our
Liberty and Blossom services working together to encourage a future where all
will be well.
You too can support these services with
donations of food, toiletries, financial support or by donating your time by
volunteering. For further information
please contact 01642 655071 or via our website www.awayout.co.uk.
Written by Anita Burke, General Manager
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