"Breathing Space and NHS24"

In 2022, my mum was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, having been increasingly unwell for a number of years. She was diagnosed at the end of May. In mid July, my granny (my mum’s mum) who was like a second parent to me, died very suddenly and I was left devastated.

I already had a diagnosis of complex PTSD but this got acutely much worse very quickly and found myself living a life where I was fighting my own mind each day and plunged into a very scary existence with flashbacks and intrusive memories like never before. 

I was advised to call breathing space back when mum was becoming more seriously unwell. 

Unbeknown to them, they’ve saved my life. I can’t remember everyone’s names off hand however I have spoken to James several times. I remember James talking to me the week that my granny died and he was so, so enormously kind. It so happens that when I’ve had another ‘transition’ I’ve called and James has by coincidence (although a pal of mine would say there’s no such thing) answered.  It is so immediately comforting and calming to hear someone who’s been there through it all somehow, telling me I’m doing OK. I remember James telling me over the summer, you’ll get through this and there are still horrible days, things are often a struggle, but he’s right. 

Margaret and Brenda are equally wonderful, and I vividly remember chatting away one night to a lady called Lynsey - I called Lynsey from Aberdeen train station going to visit my mum in care and Lynsey stayed on the call with me from Aberdeen to Insch (about 40 minutes) just chatting and helping me through that journey. I can’t remember exactly what was said now but I remember how I felt and that’s the most important thing. 

Equally NHS24 MH ‘option 1’ - Colin, and Katie are the only two names that stick in memory - Katie because I remember her line, I love a good funeral so I do, the night of my granny’s funeral, which turned my tears to giggles and stayed with me the whole day.

I don’t know what I’d do without you, both an absolutely incredible service. 

Thanks so so so much, much love.