Edinburgh Hospitality – poems by doctors

In Forth Valley

we had an integrated

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy service

for Borderline Personality.

From the onset of diagnosis

I was hand-reared and geared

towards a ‘life worth living’.

Whilst giving me the skills to cope,

they held the hope for me

till I could hold it for myself.

My future felt bright

with The Capital in my sights.

I expected continuity of care

Clearly too much to dare!

My notes and referral were lost in transition

and consequent decisions were made

that my PTSD wasn't ‘present’ enough

for a referral to The Rivers Centre

and it was ‘too risky’

to enter into psychotherapy.

So I'm waiting for an appointment

with the Primary Care Liaison team.

I've waited eighteen months.

Now I'm told the OT is off sick.

And I am sick to my core

with the constant closed doors

But I guess that's Edinburgh hospitality:

You'll have had your DB … T!

Selected by Femi Oyebode. From Stigma & Stones: Living with a Diagnosis of BPD, poems by Sally Fox & Jo McFarlane. © Sally Fox. Reprinted with permission.

Through their collection Stigma & Stones, writers/performers/partners Sally Fox and Jo McFarlane seek to promote understanding, improve treatment and reduce the stigma of living with a diagnosis of BPD.