Tag Archives: alice vs the system

Opinion: Alice vs the system: Lessons from a lifetime of “help” from public services #3

“Begin at the beginning,” the King said, very gravely, “and go on till you come to the end: then stop.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

This is the third in the series about Alice and her experience of ‘the system’ and covers her life as a young adult. The first article, introducing the series, can be found here and the second, on her adoption and early life, here.

It’s taken me longer to write this article than I thought it would. Things have been difficult for Alice over the past few months; she has recently come off her meds and we’re dealing with the fallout (my contribution is largely indirect, trying to support my mum), and I haven’t had the heart to bring myself to write about it. David Cameron’s “family test” fired me up again though.

Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged , and | Leave a comment

Opinion: Alice vs the System: Lessons from a lifetime of “help” from public services #2

Bubbles. White rabbit. Photo by jay turnerThis is the second article in the series about Alice and her experience of “the system.” The first can be found here. Alice didn’t legally become my sister until she was 3. Alice’s adoption was the white rabbit, I guess, that we chased for the next three years.

I was too young to fully understand the nature of the legal wrangles over her adoption. From conversations with my mum and dad, the issues were twofold. First, that as foster parents it wasn’t so easy to …

Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged , , and | 7 Comments

Alice vs The System: Lessons from a lifetime of “help” from public services #1

Alice in Wonderland Central lark, New York. License Some rights reserved by -JvL-

Down the Rabbit Hole

“But I don’t want to go among mad people,” Alice remarked.
“Oh, you can’t help that,” said the Cat: “we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.”
“How do you know I’m mad?” said Alice.
“You must be,” said the Cat, “or you wouldn’t have come here.”

― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

Posted in Op-eds | Also tagged , and | 8 Comments
Advert

Recent Comments

  • Chloe
    'The truth is that our freedoms are being subtly eroded in an era where emotion and sentiment are prized above reason and rationality'... KB...
  • David Allen
    "Starmer failed to communicate the home truths that the country needs to be told. Over promising led to under delivery." This doesn't quite cut it. One, bec...
  • Nonconformistradical
    "which is more than I can say for Ms Badenoch who was shrill and cheap in her remarks" I can't recall ever being impressed with anything she has said......
  • Chloe
    After Burnhams arrival at Westminster hall on a Donkey - given the adulation he received, maybe he's tired from such a long journey. As for Phillipson, she des...
  • David Raw
    Watched P.M.Q.'s today. Thought Sir Keir Starmer handled it well with great dignity - which is more than I can say for Ms Badenoch who was shrill and cheap in h...