In 2016 Anna (not her real name) met the man who would be her future husband. It was amazing from the very start. Within a few months, she knew he was the man that she wanted to get married to, have children with, and spend the rest of her life with. She thought she had met the man of her dreams. Soon after, Anna unexpectedly fell pregnant.

They got married and everything was great until about six months into the pregnancy when things started to change. For example, her husband wouldn't allow her to watch TV and he suddenly started reading the bible (when he had never been that religious beforehand).

At 35 weeks pregnant, Anna found out about her husband's mental illness after a passing question from her mother in law. She asked Anna if her son had been taking his medication. When Anna returned home, she questioned him about the medication and he told her if she didn't stop asking he would stab her pregnant stomach. Anna then found the medication and did some research. She discovered her husband had schizophrenia.

Anna refers to the day her son was born as the day she lost her husband. He didn't hold their son, didn't bathe him, and didn't connect with him at all.

In the months that followed Anna and her husband broke up several times. She left him for good when their son was 7 months old.

In this episode, Anna shares her story.

We also discuss...

• How she managed the separation as well as becoming the primary carer for her son's father and manager of all his appointments.
• Facilitating a relationship between father and son.
• How she has coped over the last few years and how her ex became someone she didn't even know.
• Dealing with the relapses.
• Dealing with guilt.
• The worry she has that her son will grow up and blame her for not helping his father.
• The fear of dating.
• The stigma of being a single mum.
• Looking after ourselves.
• And so much more!

Anna has been through a lot over the last three years, but what is most remarkable is her positive attitude. A must listen!

Links mentioned in the episode:

To contact Julia, email: [email protected].

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