A 29-year-old woman from Stewartby who experienced the death of her parents at a very young age has launched a YouTube channel to help others deal with their experiences.
Mel Robinson entered the care system at the age of 15, after circumstances following the death of her her mum from ovarian cancer when Mel was four and her father’s death six years later.
While in foster care, the tables were turned when Mel ended up caring for her foster mum following a diagnosis with lung cancer. “She battled with lung cancer for 18 months and had entered remission.
“Then we were told the cancer had become terminal. Her mum had been diagnosed with the same cancer and we lost them both within four days of each other, just before Christmas 10 years ago this year.
“I then went on to lose my half brother just two months later.”
Setting up the YouTube channel has been cathartic for Mel, enabling her to reach out to others who have similar experiences.
“Speaking about it has been a self-healing for me,” said Mel. “I’m hoping that by sharing my experiences it will help others dealing with grief and trauma in their lives.”
Despite going through such extreme childhood trauma and coping with depression, anxiety, bulimia and PTSD, Mel is determined to use her experiences to help others.
“Although I have been through a lot, I’ve always wanted to help others, and I hope by me sharing my story I can achieve this.
“I’m a real person, with very real feelings who can relate to other people who may have experienced or be experiencing similar to myself.
“With all that we’re experiencing right now, it could be one thing they hear me say that could resonate with them and help someone that maybe struggling.”
Mel is uploading weekly videos which you can watch on her YouTube channel and you can also follow her on Instagram.
“My motto is ‘keep smiling and stay strong’ and I hope that I’m able to share that belief with other people through my videos.”