RUTH E DIXON

Performance Poet, Podcaster & Person-centred Therapist

I like the idea that all my identities begin with the letter 'p', so it seems remiss to add that I'm also a former BBC Broadcast Journalist. This is important though as it's part of what has driven me to explore the truth about my mum, Andrea. A mix of storytelling, music and fiction, I bear testimony to a deeply misunderstood woman.

WHAT HAPPENED TO ANDREA?

A true story of loss, hope and enduring love

Inspired by my therapeutic work with traumatised children as well as the #MeToo movement, my poetry explores what happened to my mum. Andrea struggled with severe mental health problems all my life and was diagnosed with several psychiatric "disorders". After her death in 2014, I came across hundreds of her 

letters. I also acquired Andrea's medical notes which attested to an 'unfortunate woman' whose best chance of survival was lifelong sedation. But in scratching beneath the surface I start to uncover a different story...

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