This week's episode is a wonderful lesson in triumphing over adversity - a brave, beautiful and inspiring conversation for 'Blue Monday'. My guest is the incredible Charlie Beswick of facial disfigurement and visible difference charity 'More Than A Face'. Charlie is mum to twins Oliver and Harry - Harry was born with a rare craniofacial condition and is also autistic. Her experience led to her writing her best-selling book 'Our Altered Life', a brutally honest account of how she came to terms with a life she never expected and often resented.UPDATE: This conversation was recorded in Spring 2022 - Charlie's beautiful wedding did go ahead on 24th April, with Harry playing 'You Are My Sunshine' on piano as she walked down the aisle.*TRIGGER WARNING: *Birth Trauma, Feelings of Suicide, Negative Reactions to Disability*IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:[00:00] Teaser quote.[01:47] Introduction to Charlie.[03:20] Life before motherhood. [04:43] Finding out she was having twins.[08:12] The pregnancy - feeling good, followed by bed rest.[09:52] The birth - waters breaking at 32 weeks.[12:49] Meeting the boys. [15:03] The shock of hearing Harry's diagnosis.[19:16] Lack of support.[20:48] Hiding behind a smile.[23:40] The impact on her partner and her relationship.[25:25] Coming out of hospital.[26:50] Getting used to the ICU, feeling like a visitor rather than a mother.[29:12] Bringing the boys home.[32:32] Becoming aware that she needed help. Muscle memory of the shock.[36:05] The relationship with Oli.[39:05] The power of validation.[39:41] Finally breaking down in front of her mum.[41:07] Receiving Harry's diagnosis of Autism.[45:40] Reaching rock bottom - planning to take her life. *TRIGGER WARNING*[46:43] Recovery - medication and counselling. [48:20] The need for self compassion.[50:30] Charlie's work - charity 'More Than A Face' and helping mums accept their 'grief'.[54:27] The affect on Oli of having a sibling with additional needs.[58:07] The boys now, as teenagers.[1:00:15] The happy ending.[1:01:58] Charlie's book, charting her motherhood journey, 'Our Altered Life'.[1:03:03] How to get hold of Charlie.[1:03:33] Advice for when meeting a parent of a child with additional needs. KEY TAKEAWAYS:Support for parents of multiples via the Twins Trust (formerly TAMBA)For more information about Harry's condition, Goldenhar syndrome, please click this link.For parents of children with Autism, charity 'Ambitious About Autism' have a Parent Toolkit which may be helpful to you.Listen to our special episodes on Self Compassion Part 1 and Self Compassion Part 2 with Poonam Dhuffer of

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