Stories

August 23, 2009 - Army of In Can’t Wait

Sometimes I can’t wait any longer – so I just have to go .

(Originally in ‘Rock The Boat’ handmade book.  Now in Clunk & Jam book 2019)

August 20, 2009 - Army of Rain Rain Go Away

Rain, Rain Go Away .

This little soldier discovered that sometimes there isn’t an answer for everything – and the uncertainty that now holds her so tight and still will, in time, also hold some answers. 

(Originally in ‘Rock The Boat’ handmade book.  Now in Clunk & Jam 2019)

February 28, 2008 - Children’s Hospital Evening

Baring Souls.

Below is a talk I presented from The Black Dog Project  at Princess Margaret Children’s Hospital, Bridge’s inspirational evening, during Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week, September 2008.  Audience – patients, sufferers, carers, families, health professionals.

I think a lot of you here tonight would have heard of or know about The Black Dog Project so I’ve decided to step out from behind the Black Dog tonight and talk (uncomfortably) about myself.   I’ll start by talking about what prompted me to change the focus of my talk.

On Monday I attended the launch of Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness Week. One of the speakers was Chris Harris (a Psychologist from Princess Margaret Children’s hospital). Chris said something very simple yet quite profound. It was along the lines of;

“ . . . eating disorders are an indication that something’s not right. “

It was the ‘not right’ that made me sit a little taller in my seat. . . . his use of not right when he could have said ‘something’s wrong’.

Being diagnosed with having something wrong with you can feel much like being crushed into the carpet. I’ve been diagnosed with depression, anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and post traumatic stress disorder.  It was so refreshing to hear someone flip the whole ‘disorder’ business on its head with a slight change of words. And words are really that powerful, that significant, to who we are and how we feel.  How we see and perceive ourselves and the world around us.

July 29, 2007 - When I grow up …

CAYPAKS International Conference for Youth presentation – exploring the experiences that impact on children growing up.  Click image for details.

August 18, 2006 - Are school mottos aiming too high?

 Are School Mottos Aiming Too High ?

A child’s pain is unknowable, incomprehensible.  Has he fallen off his bike or been taunted by Bullies?  Some days it’s hard to aim high.  A photographic exhibition by Toni Wilkinson.

These photographs are from Toni Wilkinson’s photographic exhibition ‘Prolepsis’ at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts March 2005 (exhibition photos were full colour, however Toni has allowed them to be presented in black and white format for Black Dog). The following is an excerpt from the text describing Toni Wilkinson’s work written by Amy Barrett-Lennard (Director, Linden St Kilda Centre for Contemporary arts Melbourne).

‘Prolepsis’ is a rhetorical device in which as expected future event or characteristic is presented as though it was an already accomplished fact. School mottos, as Wilkinson suggests in her latest series of photographs, are an example of ‘prolepsis’ in every day life.  Those high-minded slogans, usually matched with crest and emblazoned on the hats, bags, chests and ideally, the hearts of dutifully dressed school children, are designed to portray the ideals and values that these students will aspire to live by.

July 25, 2006 - Fat – a dirty word

Fat – A Dirty Word?

There are people you meet who have a profound impact on your life —Michael Levine is one of them.  Recognized as an ‘eating disorders prevention expert’ he is much more. He is a ‘voice’, a window into the souls of women and girls through his sensitive articulation of the many issues that construct who we are. He is a conscience for men and boys, making this article an essential read for everyone.

Not only do his views have the potential for creating a better world but so too the experience of feeling his warmth; his depth of compassion and empathy; and most of all, his humility. The following article was written by Michael Levine for the Bronte Foundation newsletter ’Our Journey’ and Michael has kindly made it available to share on ‘Black Dog’. The article is presented in its entirety.

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