Shutter Release

PhotoVoicein partnership with

DiversityInCare

Workshops with womenrecovering from addiction

Ealing, 2013

Tracey Sumner

My Journey

Tracey Sumner

Change of direction.

Tracey Sumner

Facing my demons

Tracey Sumner

Getting rid of excess baggage

Tracey Sumner

Learning to walk again

Tracey Sumner

My life has been a mess

Tracey Sumner

At times I thought I’d go NUTS

Tracey Sumner

I didn’t tick the right boxes

Tracey Sumner

Lost my sense of own personal affects

Tracey Sumner

Self-medicating led to addictions, but now I listen to what the doctor says

Tracey Sumner

A baby blanket is all I had left of my daughters

Tracey Sumner

Their letters kept my heart going

Tracey Sumner

I kept a shrine to get them back

Tracey Sumner

I want to be a real mum

Tracey Sumner

Tracey Sumner

Tracey Sumner

Tracey Sumner

Tracey Sumner

Tracey Sumner

Tracey Sumner

Tracey Sumner

Tracey Sumner

Tracey Sumner

Now it’s time to focus

Tracey Sumner

The switch is on

Healthy diet

Right beliefs

Tracey Sumner

Clear nooks and crannies

Tracey Sumner

Fill in all the holes

Tracey Sumner

Wipe the slate clean

Tracey Sumner

Make space

Tracey Sumner

Let go of the past

Tracey Sumner

I am a mom, I have a family.

Tracey Sumner

Sian Angus

Anxiety makes me hide away

Sian Angus

I hide behind my brave face

Sian Angus

Discipline. A routine is important to structure your life. Try to go to bed at the same time. Get up at the same time.

Sian Angus

Self Acceptance. You may not like your hair but there are many hats out there. You may not have the money to change the

shape your nose, so you have to live with it. There are so many people worse off than you.

Sian Angus

Sian Angus

Face your fears. What are you scared of? Why are you scared? Usually the answers are simple – you have made yourself scared

and are just using it as an excuse to isolate yourself.

Sian Angus

Don’t sit in front of the TV all daydrinking tea and smoking fags.

Sian Angus

Her name is Baby, my reason for getting up in the morning. But I need more fulfilment in my life.

Sian Angus

Getting Out. You live in the capital of England, yet you go no further than a couple of miles from your home. Get out there

even if it’s on your own and explore this amazing city.

Sian Angus

Create a safe haven to return to.

Sian Angus

These feet should be out walking.

Finding and touching something real. Overcoming fear.

Sian Angus

Recognise your talents. Get out there. Join groups and clubs. If you like yourself then other people will like you. No-one likes to

be around a negative moaning Minnie.

Sian Angus

No excuses now. Get out there and enjoy,come rain or shine.

Sian Angus

Liza Stephens

I want to have inner peace and tranquillity.

Inner peace means quietness and the absence of chatter in my head.

Freedom to express the truth about feelings, showing I am happy in my soul and whole being.

At one with the world.

I hate being naked to the world. I don’t want to be bullied again. I am finding it hard to take life’s knocks

and move on.

I’m stuck and trapped in this endless life cycle of addiction, co-dependency and self-abuse.

I will get there with each step.

Vulnerable

Liza Stephens

Stuck in the middle.

Liza Stephens

Hiding

Liza Stephens

Anxious and fearful.

Liza Stephens

Taking care of business. The reality of responsibility.

Liza Stephens

A work in progress…

Liza Stephens

This is the start of my recovery / journey.

Liza Stephens

Acceptance of my sensitivity and vulnerability.

Liza Stephens

I need love, affection and comfort.

Liza Stephens

Positive steps in the right direction.

Liza Stephens

Developing a passion, with a razor sharp mind.

Liza Stephens

Letting go of pre-conceived ideas.

Liza Stephens

Steps to seeking fulfilment.

Liza Stephens

Knowing the risks of not remaining abstinent.

Liza Stephens

Knowing the risks of not remaining abstinent.

Liza Stephens

Attaining fulfilment and joy.

Liza Stephens

Attaining fulfilment and joy.

Liza Stephens

Letting go of my old ways.

Liza Stephens

Structure daily routine.

Liza Stephens

Inner peace and serenity.

Liza Stephens

Inner peace and serenity.

Liza Stephens

Sobriety and long lasting friendships.

Liza Stephens

Teri Austin

I’m in prison of my own making.

Teri Austin

I’m lost. Where am I going?

Teri Austin

Which route do I take?

Teri Austin

I need something dependable and resilient.

Teri Austin

Unity, recovery and service.

Teri Austin

Accept my Dis-Ease.

Teri Austin

Confront the wreckage of my past.

Teri Austin

I need a solid structure.

Teri Austin

To cross that bridge to normal living.

Teri Austin

Don’t put anything off till tomorrow.

Teri Austin

This is my way to start each day.

Teri Austin

Ready for a workout.

Teri Austin

Face the fear.

Teri Austin

Don’t panic about little things.

Teri Austin

Take control of your life.

Teri Austin

Acceptance is the key.

Teri Austin

Cut back the thorns to move upwards and onwards.

Teri Austin

Are you ready to de-clutter?

Teri Austin

There is a place for your rubbish outside.

Teri Austin

Let go and trust.

Teri Austin

Don’t let excess baggage weigh you down.

Teri Austin

Now for some nosh.

Teri Austin

Share with love

Teri Austin

Don’t give a damn about judgement.

Teri Austin

Time to give back.

Teri Austin

My past.

Teri Austin

Be present.

Teri Austin

Mary O’Neill

Overwhelmed. Trying to do so many things all at once. Seeking perfection of myself in every role I play.

Being pulled in every direction.

Mary O’Neill

Chaos. I was overwhelmed with the loss of my parents, divorce, debt, struggling to keep strong for my three kids.

Mary O’Neill

Make or break. Sink or swim. HELP.

Mary O’Neill

Pain of addiction. To think I thought the answer to my problems was to block pain and emotions in drink .

Mary O’Neill

It’s the climb.

There is always gonna be another mountain.

I’m always gonna want to make it move. There is

always going to be an upward battle – sometimes I’m gonna

have to lose.

It ain’t about how fast I get there.

It ain’t about what’s written on the other side.

It’s the climb.

Cooking and cleaning are menial tasks I have to do,but loving my children and making them smile makes

everything else worth while.

Mary O’Neill

Keep positive. Only actions will make you drink. A thought might suggest it. Can a thought alone open your hand?

Actions speak louder than words.

Mary O’Neill

Stop. Never think negative. When you start experiencing negative thoughts, imagine a red light and put a stop to them.

Mary O’Neill

The one who falls and gets up is so much strongerthan the one who never fell.

Mary O’Neill

Life is in a lot of ways just like a party. You invite a lot of people. Some leave early. Some stay up all night. Some laugh at you.

Some laugh with you and some show up really late. At the end, once the fun is over, some of them will stay and help you clean up the mess, even though they have never made it. It’s those people

that really matter. The ones you can count on. True friends.

Mary O’Neill

I’ve felt pain. I’ve endured hardship. I’ve suffered loss of loved ones and I’ve memories I want to forget. However, these things have made me stronger and today I face the world with a smile.

I know things will always get better. Those who love me will always be there for me. Seeing the light.

Mary O’Neill

Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions.

Mary O’Neill

Gratitude. To be content and happy with everything we already have in life. You can always want more.

Be aware of how lucky we are.

Mary O’Neill