25/05/2026
I never thought I’d say this publicly…
Losing Andy to su***de carried a stigma I wasn’t prepared for.
That stigma turned to shame.
And shame kept me silent — for years.
Breaking that silence was one of the most vulnerable things I’ve ever done. The fear of being judged, seen differently, treated differently — it was excruciating.
But something unexpected happened when I opened up. Something shifted — in me, and in the conversations that followed.
When we share our vulnerability, we find each other.
Because healthcare workers are human, just like our patients. We feel loss. We carry grief. We struggle. And we deserve to thrive — not just survive.
Last Thursday, the Dental Awards 2026 recognised this work as Best Outreach or Charity Initiative. I still don’t quite know what to do with that. The images are the unfiltered, unpolished, human version of me. My first thought was how much I’d have loved to tell Andy — and how much I miss him. ❤️
This recognition isn’t mine. It belongs to The Baton of Hope, The Canmore Trust, and Bupa Dental Care UK — and to every person who has reached out for help, and every person who has listened to understand.
A special mention for John Gibson — for your mentorship, and most of all your friendship 🤗 You have this uncanny ability to make us laugh together with tears of joy, and feel safe enough to share our tears of loss. Thank you for being you.
If this post means anything, I hope it means that someone reading it — carrying their own silence — feels a little less alone tonight.
You are human.
You are not alone.
The world truly is a better place with you in it. ❤️
Hold On, Pain Ends. 💙
