Radio Shows and a Story

Radio Shows and a Story.

Radio: Radio is the wireless transmission of signals through free space by electromagnetic radiation of a frequency significantly below that of visible light, in the radio frequency range, from about 30 kHz to 300 GHz.[1] These waves are called radio waves. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space.

Where do I begin with my #magicmoments post this week?! Just too many wonderful things have been happening recently and I feel so incredibly lucky.

The last couple of weeks have been challenging in many ways, the antidepressants have clearly taken a while to completely leave my system and I’ve been like a toddler struggling to manage my emotions. I have effectively been learning to feel again and have gone from manic, uncontrollable laughter, to sobbing over something trivial. There have been panic attacks, sleepless nights and a lot of doubt over whether I could do it and live without the tablets. It was almost as if I felt like I had at the very beginning, the illness dealing one last cruel hand. One last challenge to be overcome. It’s horrible how your brain and body can play tricks on you. You can tense your body for a second because you’ve trodden on a piece of Lego and this can trigger your brain into entering full on fight or flight mode and spark off a gigantic panic attack. Thankfully I am learning to dismiss these attacks and carry on as if they’re not actually happening, thus hopefully convincing my brain that I am not in any serious danger and that there is no need to go quite so crazy with the release of adrenaline! It’s a work in progress!

One thing that has helped me immensely through this time, and has been an integral part of my recovery since January was having the opportunity to attend an art therapy group once a week, with other ladies also suffering from post natal depression. I was referred by my health visitor and as I have always enjoyed being creative, but recently haven’t been able to find the time or the motivation, I was looking forward to starting, and I hadn’t looked forward to anything in a very, very long while. It was called My Time My Space and was funded by a project called Creativity Works. ( http://www.creativityworks.org.uk ) It was to be held at the local Children’s centre for two hours every Friday morning, with a crèche provided. It really was going to be my time. The group ran for twelve weeks and finished just a coupe of weeks ago. The artist who attended had blogged about our sessions here: http://elementalanita.wordpress.com

Each week was magic. Time to be me. Time to be creative, to fill my brain with thoughts other than the dark ones that had plagued it for so long. We talked. We listened. We shared and empathised. (as well as drinking tea and eating A LOT of cake!) We made amazingly creative things, brooches, necklaces, paintings. It was during our last session that I was asked to go onto the radio by Philippa, who works for Creativity Works. It was to be an interview with Dr Phil Hammond on BBC Radio Bristol and I was to talk about my experience of PND and about My Time My Space. I jumped at the chance. Excitement obviously quickly turned into nervousness, but I knew that I desperately wanted to speak out, to be as honest as I could be about my experiences of PND and hopefully help others. I had also read my story ‘A Monster Ate My Mum’ http://instinctivemum.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/the-monster-story to Philippa and she thought we should try and have it read out on the air too.

So, skip forward to this past Saturday. I’d prepared, and I knew exactly what I wanted to say. Philippa picked me up and we drove into Bristol talking animatedly about the project and how amazing it is. She is clearly very passionate and enthusiastic about what she does and about helping women who are suffering. We parked at BBC Radio Bristol and sat just outside the studio, watching Dr Phil deliver his Saturday Surgery show. I’ve never been inside a radio station before and imagined endless hustle and bustle, however as it was a Saturday it was surprisingly quiet; a few workmen, a couple of people on their computers, a radio presenter and his producer.

Sitting there watching the show, listening to the guests that were on before us didn’t really help my nerves. I was so frightened I was going to bumble my words, sound stupid, or swear! We were asked to go in and Dr Phil asked me how honest I wanted to be, and I replied, ‘As honest as possible, ask me anything.’ I hoped that by being honest I would help others. So many women suffer in silence or find it hard to admit they are ill. I wanted to show that there was no shame in it, that it can happen to anyone, and that with time you can get better. Very honest questions were asked, and answered as openly and honestly as I could. The nerves went and I wished the interview could continue for longer, as there was so much more I wanted to say. And then the true magic moment happened, I was asked to read my story. The book I would love to be published to help raise funds for My Time My Space and help children whose mums suffer. The traffic report was read out and then it was back to me. Is it wrong that I got lost in my own writing? I could hear my voice shaking, I could see my hands trembling, but I was doing it…me, who one year ago had all of my confidence zapped out of me by this cruel illness. I was reading something I had written on the radio, to thousands of people. And in that moment my confidence came back! With a massive great big bang. And it felt amazing. It’s a little bit addictive being on the radio and already I’d love to do it again! It took a couple of hours for the shaking to stop, but the texts messages and phone calls I received from friends and family made me swell with pride. (Sorry if I’m going over the top a bit here, it’s not often I big myself up lol!)

There is nothing quite like challenging yourself to do something that makes you step out of your comfort zone. And then there is nothing quite like achieving it…and enjoying it!

You can hear the interview through the link below until 11th May. Please have a listen, we are on about one hour and twenty minutes into the show.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01809qs

And thank you, as always, for reading x

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20 Comments on Radio Shows and a Story

  1. judithkingston
    May 6, 2013 at 1:07 pm (11 years ago)

    Amazing!! I don’t know where to begin! First of all, can I do art therapy even if I don’t have PND?? It sounds wonderful. I guess really I just want to do an art class. Secondly, could you illustrate your own story using your new skillz? Thirdly, I am SO EXCITED that you got to read your story on air! And a little bit jealous of course. This is brilliant news, what a thing to be able to write in your covering letter to the publisher. When you read it out, were you still happy with it, or were you making mental notes of things you suddenly wanted to change? (Which is what would ahppen to me I think). Anyway, huge congratulations!

    Reply
    • InstinctiveMum
      May 6, 2013 at 6:31 pm (11 years ago)

      One of my dreams is to open a creative cafe where everyone can come and do some art! Would be amazing lol! Reading my story out on Saturday was fantastic and it’s complete, I didn’t want to adjust it at all! I must write my covering letter and get it out there eek! And I hadn’t thought about illustrating it myself, maybe I could give it a go…I do imagine the monsters in my head when I’m reading it, thank you for the inspiration! Xx

      Reply
      • judithkingston
        May 6, 2013 at 7:18 pm (11 years ago)

        If you open the cafe, I will come! You can have open mic poetry nights! And I could run my writing group out of it. (It is called Write Club) (That’s all I can say about it) (I’ve already said too much).

        Reply
        • InstinctiveMum
          May 6, 2013 at 7:27 pm (11 years ago)

          Lol I’m chuckling, but what an amazing plan this is beginning to sound like! I love it! Now…I just need the funds!! 😉

          Reply
          • judithkingston
            May 6, 2013 at 7:46 pm (11 years ago)

            Hm yes, you didn’t happen to marry a millionaire? No? Neither did I…

          • InstinctiveMum
            May 6, 2013 at 7:51 pm (11 years ago)

            That wasn’t very clever of us now was it… 🙁

  2. Jaime Oliver
    May 6, 2013 at 5:29 pm (11 years ago)

    You are more amazing and strong than you give yourself credit for!! i am in awe of the strength it must of taken for you to go there! and i am so honored your have linked this up with #magicmoments xx

    Reply
    • InstinctiveMum
      May 6, 2013 at 6:32 pm (11 years ago)

      Thank you, I must have some inner strength that I didn’t even know I had lol! Going to tap into it a bit more I think! Pleasure as always to link up xx

      Reply
  3. Stephanie Arsoska
    May 6, 2013 at 7:54 pm (11 years ago)

    I want to come to your cafe!

    I have just had a listen. You didn’t sound nervous at all, really clear and well spoken. The story is really, really great too. Congratulations!

    Reply
    • InstinctiveMum
      May 6, 2013 at 7:56 pm (11 years ago)

      Yes come to the cafe, we’ll have a storytelling session too! Thank you for listening to the radio interview, and for reading! x

      Reply
  4. sarahhillwheeler
    May 7, 2013 at 7:29 pm (11 years ago)

    I didn’t hear you on the radio, but your enthusiasm shines through. Cafe sounds like a great idea!

    Reply
    • InstinctiveMum
      May 9, 2013 at 7:27 pm (11 years ago)

      Ah one day the cafe will be a reality! Thank you for reading! 🙂

      Reply
    • InstinctiveMum
      May 10, 2013 at 8:48 am (11 years ago)

      Ahhhh you are too kind! Thank you, will pass on the love later! Xx

      Reply
  5. Jaime Oliver
    May 10, 2013 at 10:15 am (11 years ago)

    popped back for #PoCoLo xxx

    Reply
    • InstinctiveMum
      May 10, 2013 at 10:21 am (11 years ago)

      Thank you, am off to meet my mum now, but I will be #pocolo-ing later! Xx

      Reply
  6. dragonsflypoppy
    May 10, 2013 at 4:33 pm (11 years ago)

    Honey, I don’t mean this to sound patronising, and I hope you don’t take it that way, but I’m so proud of you! Like Jaime says you have more strength and courage than you give yourself credit for. I will pop back later to listen to the interview, but it sounds like you have done so very well. Good on you for sharing your story, goodness only knows how many people you have helped in doing so.
    The charity I work for have projects like the My time My space, for people with depression ( not specifically PND) and I am always so amazed at how effective that therapy can be.
    Well done you for starting to take control of your feelings again. Coming off antidepressants can be so hard, and is a real credit to you.
    What a wonderful post. xx

    Reply
    • InstinctiveMum
      May 11, 2013 at 1:58 pm (11 years ago)

      Ahh tears in my eyes what a lovely comment, not patronising at all honey xx Thank you SO MUCH xx

      Reply
  7. Verily Victoria Vocalises
    May 12, 2013 at 2:05 pm (11 years ago)

    I could bring Prose For Thought on the road to your cafe! Fantastic idea :)) I LOVE that you were on the radio. I know I might be a day late but I will see if I can still hear it. I am so very pleased you were able to read your amazing story – I still have everything crossed that you will get this published. I can get a contact via Ross’ book if you want to get in touch with me? Thanks for linking up to PoCoLo xx

    Reply
    • InstinctiveMum
      May 12, 2013 at 2:15 pm (11 years ago)

      Pleasure as always to link up! Have just sent you an email about that potential contact, thank you! Xx

      Reply

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