BLOGS

Books have been printed. They arrive to the room in Westmead where we start our day, via Susanna’s suitcase, neatly packaged into a big, white box. I clutch C.’s book on my way to find her. There’s only half an hour before dinner – half an hour to share it; I worry our meeting will…

When I first met C. she was quite, defensive, and not necessarily trustworthy of me. Fair enough, I thought. In three short weeks I somehow learned a lot: from Susanna’s direct and concrete feedback (I now know why  ‘just’ is a shoddy word and how to act fierce even when I’m not), Shazea’s sensitive observations…

M and I are walking down the corridor together side by side. We don’t look at one another or speak. She walks slowly and I match her speed. She is taking me somewhere. I feel honoured to be walking with her like this. There is a trust between us and a feeling of familiarity. She…

I don’t always understand J – a fact I apologise for regularly and profusely. He’s quiet and we’re often surrounded by noise. Afterwords, I listen to the recordings to fill in the remaining gaps, convinced I’m missing a crucial word, but I still hear the noise over J –  cries and chit-chats, laughter, staff running…

C. is cheerful and buzzing when I approach her. Ten minutes later, it’s clear she doesn’t want me there; her eyes only spark again when I mention we might finish the conversation soon. Walking away, I think I could have been more patient, allowed for more silences, more time. Afterwards, Susanna offers feedback and I’m…