A journey of hope through loss, trauma, care and health struggles
Chichester-based Chloe Croft-Ford is the author of a new autobiography of a care leaver’s journey through loss, trauma, care, mental and physical health, experiences of living in a psychiatric hospital and living with ADHD and autism
But it is “also a book to show people, no matter how dark, difficult and lonely life can feel, to always have hope because you can, no matter what, have a bright happy future
The book is available on Amazon, published through amazon kindle direct publishing. It comes in two formats, a kindle version which costs £7.38 and a paperback version which costs £10.34.
Chloe, who lives in Chichester but was brought up in Midhurst for most of her childhood, said: “I run training sessions for people working with children in care and care leavers, and at one of those sessions a participant mentioned I should write a book, and how it could help many people. I thought about it for a while and then I got ill so it got delayed quite a while but the more I thought about it, the more determined I became.
“I tried starting to write an autobiography years before but could never complete it. I knew now was my time. I used the help of chat GPT to word it more professionally but still in my words. It helped me lay out each chapter. I just made it my own words, my life experiences.
“The subject is my life. It’s my autobiography. I didn't do an autobiography because I'm special. Quite the opposite. I hope it will appeal to people because it shows people no matter how hard things get, no matter how dark, no matter if you are in care or a care leaver, things can and will get better. My hope is it connects to people and gives them hope.
“Doing my training I tell my story at the end and our feedback is how that was so impactful and how people are amazed what I've been through. I realised sharing my life with those who have experienced similar or work with those who are going through it that I could help so many others, that my struggles are my strength. Ever since I was young I wanted to help people.
“This book is for kids in care, care leavers, anyone who struggles with mental illness, those that have suffered loss and bereavement and those who have gone through trauma, anyone who’s in a dark place. I want to be your light, living proof no matter what, always have hope.”
The book is currently a stand-alone: “But I am considering writing other books that are more specified like living with mental health/autism/ADHD/addiction/chronic illness and pain/bereavement and trauma in more detail. Would it be worth it? Would people be interested? That's what I'm wondering. Maybe there will be several more books to come.”