A Gentle Note: This episode contains discussion of mental health struggles, trauma, and the death of a young person. Please listen with care and seek support if you need it.
In today’s episode, I’m joined by Marianne Griffiths, a mother who shares her experience of losing her adult daughter - first through years of separation and struggle, and later through her heartbreaking sudden death in 2019 from SUDEP.
SUDEP stands for Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. It refers to the sudden, unexplained death of someone with epilepsy who was otherwise healthy, where no other clear cause is found after investigation.
In this deeply moving and important conversation, Marianne shares the story of her daughter, Abi, a young woman who spent much of her life fighting to be understood, supported, and believed.
From an early age, Abi faced learning difficulties, mental health challenges, and repeated trauma. Her family spent years navigating education systems, social services, and mental health support in search of the right care. Along the way, there were moments of hope, heartbreak, and resilience.
This is a conversation about unconditional love, advocacy, and the urgent need to listen to vulnerable voices before it’s too late.
In This Episode, We Explore:
Marianne’s journey as a mother navigating complex systems
Abi’s early life and the challenges she faced
The impact of separation when a child is taken into care
Living with ambiguous grief and loss
The reality of grieving twice
Advocacy within education, social care, and mental health services
The importance of being heard, seen, and believed
Remembering Abi and the legacy she leaves behind
Connect with your host Louise Bates:
https://linktr.ee/louisebates
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