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Today we say a very sad goodbye to @AutismMH.
Zoe was a young woman that simply shouldn't have died yet. She had her full life in front of her and has been taken far too soon, in what was, tragically, a very preventable death.
Zoe was a young woman that simply shouldn't have died yet. She had her full life in front of her and has been taken far too soon, in what was, tragically, a very preventable death.
I've held off posting my thoughts over the past couple of weeks as it's very close to home, and what has happened to Zoe is immensely triggering for me and likely many others that sadly can relate to much of what she wrote about.
'Mental illness' never claimed Zoe.
'Personality difficulties' never claimed Zoe.
'Personality difficulties' never claimed Zoe.
Aspiez may well have taken the final action of ending her life, but ultimately she was killed by psychological and emotional cruelty and abuse, inflicted by individuals, backed by policies, within a system that should have served to protect her.
Many of us witnessed her pain and torment, and could see how this would end.
Most of us were powerless to do anything to prevent it, but some could have intervened yet choose not to.
Most of us were powerless to do anything to prevent it, but some could have intervened yet choose not to.
Zoe was shouting from the rooftops about what was wrong, the harm it had caused her, and what was needed to put it right.
But her shouts went ignored by those who should have listened, and should have acted.
But her shouts went ignored by those who should have listened, and should have acted.
It is absolutely tragic that yet another life has been lost at the hands of an organisation that publicly lavishes praise on itself for its values and successes, whilst simultaneously denying and covering up failings and harm suffered by some of those who reach to them for help.
As we say goodbye to Zoe today, my hope is that her journey will never be forgotten, and that those in positions of power and influence within TEWV will now do absolutely everything they can to ensure that there are no more lives lost as a result of such negligence and injustice.
No doubt in time TEWV will issue the usual 'valuable lessons have been learned'.
But those words mean absolutely nothing unless actions are actually taken to address the failings that lead to such events, and people responsible for those failings held to account.
But those words mean absolutely nothing unless actions are actually taken to address the failings that lead to such events, and people responsible for those failings held to account.
My sincere thoughts go out to Zoe's family and friends.
Rest in peace Zoe. Sleep peacefully.
You must not be forgotten x
Rest in peace Zoe. Sleep peacefully.
You must not be forgotten x
