I have to admit to being a bit despondent lately. I worked crazy hard setting up the raffle and making sure I had plenty of awesome prizes to offer in return for donations. But then it kind of stopped. And when it did I felt lousy.
But then I realised something (ok, after a couple of days of sulking I realised something) – I am only one person. What I have tried to do is not something that just one person can do; it is something that needs a louder voice of a crowd behind it.
Yesterday that started to happen. The little human shaped pot of loveliness that is Mammasaurus wrote her own post about her experiences with PND. My one lonely voice became louder with hers to back it up. And then lots of you started to help by spreading the word on Twitter (please accept this as my big thank you if I missed saying it personally on Twitter, my mentions were swamped). The raffle pages actually had a fairly low traffic day but the people that did click were the people that mattered.
In less than 24 hours the fundraising total more than doubled. Amazing.
I have all of you to thank for this, I really couldn’t have achieved that without you.
Which brings me nicely to my next point. There really is a lot to be said for the support that you find in other people. There really is an amazing community out there that I am truely honoured to be a part of. The thing is, it’s such a big community that one person can get a bit lost sometimes. As well as the generous donations and the lovely, supportive comments I received yesterday something else just as great started to happen; people started to share their experiences.
Posts about PND are popping up on a few blogs now and that really is amazing. PND is really, really hard to talk about. But talking about it openly is the only way that understanding will build and the stigma will be broken. This is hugely important to the cause. To the brave women who have chosen to share a post already, thank you. I wanted to open a linky so that all these posts can come together in one place. Like a strength in numbers kind of thing. I think it will surprise people just how many mums it affects.
If you have a post, old or new, that you want to share, please add your link. If you feel inspired to write one I’d love you to add your link too.
For about the millionth time, thank you all. Really, none of this would be possible without you and the more of us there are the more of a chance we have of making a change. As it stands we have raised nearly £150 – I’m doing a happy dance right now.
Please, please spread the word if you can. The more people that know about this the better – and lets face it, there are some really great prizes to be won! Tell Twitter, tell Facebook, tell your friends, if you want to sell tickets at playgroup then that would be fantastic! Email me if you have any questions, or if you just want to get in touch.
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You are an amazing inspirational lady, you have set up this whole thing so selflessly and if I can help I will help. I know how you feel, I really do and one day we will meet and share cake and wine and laugh and both be free of it forever and stronger women for it x
I agree wholeheartedly. I am older but suffered bad Post Natal Depression, so I will do a blog for you if it will help. My experiences are rather from the dinosaur age, but it is sometimes helpful to realise that things ARE getting more recognition and that women are getting more help for this distressing and awful condition. Won’t ever be able to meet you, sadly, but send you hugs anyway! xx
ps not sure exactly how to use the Twit thing properly yet, or how to find you on there, but I will try xx
Good for you! YOu will get millions of entries over time – so many of us have suffered. I don’t know if I can do one, being that GG writes my blog, but I would like to if I can think of a way – watch this space
Well done and keep going – we all love you for it!
Guest post for GG as she is busy with the run up to Christmas, so she is taking on Guest bloggers?
Thank you
If you can think of a way then I’d love to read. You’re more than welcome to guest here if you’d like
Here here! You are doing something wonderful and much needed. As requested, here is the link to my PND related post http://wp.me/p17Ew4-7g
Moi again. Sorry to be a pain, just tested that last link and it didn’t work… here is the link to my PND related post http://motherwifeme.com/2011/11/24/post-natal-depression-a-helping-hand-is-so-important/ x
Just to say a big thank you. You and mamasaurus gave me so much insight! Saw my GP (had an unrelated appointment co-incidentally but broke down in her office) this morning and she agrees I am experiencing depression. Recognising this is like seeing light at the end of the tunnel… I started some herbal remedy now, but was wondering whether you ever had some anti-deppressants? Any thoughts? GP thought it would be a good idea but I am reluctant…
Thanks for commenting and a HUGE well done for asking your GP for help. I know just how much courage and strength that takes so see it as a huge achievement.
I have been on anti depressants on and off for about 10 years. Some didn’t agree with me, some have been a life saver. They aren’t a cure but they do help so much. I feel more like me again and more importantly I have the space in my head to make things better.
Talk to your GP, explain your worries and be honest. Do what’s right for you. You know where I am if you ever need to talk x
Superb effort, so have only just seen this yesterday. Have now posted directing people over to your raffle.
Mich x
Thank you x
Hi
I have written a relevant post, signed the petition and now also donated on your charity page (couldn’t work out how to do the raffle).
Your £150 is a thing of the past – gone up a good wee bit since then
Thank you for opening up to us and encouraging us to do the same.
You are doing such an amazing thing.
Would love to grab the badge for the Helping Hand but can’t find the code anywhere.
I have grabbed the code for your PND badge though and have put that on my sidebar.
Liska xxx
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Thank-you so much for posting this and helping us all to fight the battle against PND. I have linked my most relevant post to your linky x
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I am glad people started spreading the word for you as that is how I found my way here. I have had PND since the birth of my second child in May this year. I have written and linked to your post on my blog. What you are doing is amazing.
Thanks for putting this together. Have linked up now.
What an amazing job you’ve done. I just discovered your blog and I’m truly impressed. I wished I had helped if I had discovered your blog earlier on. If you want to do it again, do let me know and I’ll put my new launched website and it’s hundreds of parents on the case too. Contact me when you have a chance.