On 20th October 2014, our little surprise Oliver was born. I'd contracted an infection after my waters broke which turned into sepsis, and Oliver was born by emergency cesarean section under General Anaesthetic. He was very poorly, but the amazing team at Heartlands sorted him out ready for life. 

For the first month, I felt somewhat detached from reality. The fog continued, antidepressants weren't helping and when Oliver was just over 2 months old I contacted Birmingham Healthy Minds, who referred me to Acacia. 

I can't put into words the difference they made to my life. They helped me deal with my thoughts and feelings, to process what had happened to us and why. My therapist Rachel held my hand as I navigated my brain. She encouraged me to set up a consultant appointment to discuss Oliver's birth. She offered booklets and reading material not just for me, but to help Liam support me too. She put me in contact with their Birth Trauma Specialist. She even offered to arranged for someone to come and help us at home if it would make me feel less overwhelmed. 

In May 2015 after 8 sessions with Rachel, a light turned back on. After what felt like a very long time, suddenly everything was colourful again and I felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. My experience of having Oliver changed me, and will always stay with me, but Acacia's expertise and support helped me to move forward. Post-natal depression and Post-traumatic stress disorder are horrible diseases of the mind; you may not always look ill, and sadly the stigma attached to mental health illness means it's not always easy to discuss how you're feeling. It's a difficult illness to understand, but Rachel and Acacia did, and they knew how to get me through it.

I won't ever be able to say 'thank you' enough to Acacia, and even though I'm fat and lazy I know I always feel SO much better after a good run. So I thought it was time to give something back to Acacia and this is my way of doing so. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.