More about Hazel and CFS (Dec 2005)

About me (Written December 2005, updated May 2007)

I was an action girl living the high life in Sunny Sydney Australia. Then, 8 yeas ago I was struck down by a mystery condition (later diagnosed as a severe case of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/M.E, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and numerous other challenging conditions) and I entered a living nightmare. At times I was so fatigued, debilitated and allergic that I could barely even stand up. It’s often been like that for the past 8 years.

It’s been a hellish journey (and at times still is)...I lost my home, my job, my partner, my beloved truck, motorbikes and adventure toys...I was so unwell that I had to leave everything in Sydney, Australia and moved back in with my parents in Yorkshire, UK (My total belongings ended up being 2 small suitcases!)...sadly family  dramas eventually made living with my parents unbarable too. I didn't have money to get a house so I ended up living in a borrowed tent on a friends organic farm.That was ok until I became so allergic to the grass I was camping on, I had to find somewhere else.

They say that 'Adversity is one of the greatest teachers'...I agree...I've learned a phenomenal amount on my journey and gained many useful insights along the way (I could hardly string a written sentence together before I got sick). Initially, I started writing rhyming poetry to express my personal feelings and cope with what I was going through. As my skills, knowledge and insights increased, I began to share my work with friends/family... Responses were very positive so I continued to write.

My confidence grew and health improved somewhat, so I put together a collection of 25 inspirational/self help rhymes. I made them into cards, books and framed pictures and started to share and exhibit them. Reviews were fantastic so I healed my social anxiety and public speaking phobia and when able, shared them with voluntary groups and clubs.

Times best selling author Richard McCann (author of 'Into the Light' and 'Just a boy') was part of an audience recently. As gift, I gave him a copy of my poem ‘change’. The next day he personally called me to say that he was very touched by my work. He said that he loved my poem and had felt that I’d written about him and so it was published in his book.

I’ve had other amazing compliments too...people often say that I have changed their lives and several occasions (especially after writting/performing my controversial poem 'Merry Christmas,' I’ve been compared to inspirational speaker/author David Icke! I admire his openness, confidnece and honesty, so I find that very encouraging.)

The future
As my health improves, I intend to develop my hobby/passion into a business. I want to and perform to huge audiences around the world and see my inspirational/self-help poetry manuscripts professionally published and become world-wide bestsellers.

Personally I’m still very much on a healing/self development journey and will continue to learn, write and share my experiences. All in all, I want to touch people’s lives and make a positive difference in the world.

Why I wrote the poem 'Merry Christmas'
I wrote ‘Merry Christmas’ after being saddened by how Christmas is treated these days. So many people seem to focus on only the commercial aspects. I hear and see people pushing and shoving in stores, sending out meaningless Christmas cards, meeting relatives they don’t even get on with and worrying about what sized turkey they’re going to buy. At the same time, our beautiful planet and environment are being destroyed, millions of people (including children) are suffering in the world. My poem 'Merry Christmas,' is my way of trying to get people to think about the bigger picture, focus on what’s really important and thus hopefully inspire them to do something about it.
Hazel Trudeau 2005

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas people are dying,
Babies are starving, hurting and crying,

 

Mothers are weeping, no food to eat,
Too sick to stand, swollen bruised feet,

 

Children are sold, their bodies abused,
Then left for the trash, empty and used,

 

Another young boy fights with a gun,
His childhood lost...he never knew fun,

 

‘Hospital’ tents are full of the pained,  
Aroma of death, cries from the maimed,

 

A teenager sits all alone in a park,
Drugs numb her pain and fear of the dark,

 

Majestic forests are robbed, burned and stumped,
Our oceans and rivers have more toxins dumped,

 

Destruction, disease, more creatures die,
Famine and war…a hole in the sky!!!

Merry Christmas…

 

Now, while this poem spells problems and gloom,
And perhaps leaves you with feelings of doom,

Read on my friend, for more is meant,
-Helping our world is my intent,

For MASSIVE GREAT CHANGE is what we will see,
If, you like me, respond to this plea…

So join in the cause… For much we can do,
Because of the sum…one plus one equals two…

Just make a few changes, alter your way,
Build a few habits into your day…

 

Re-use, Donate, and recycle your trash,
Think, about how you spend your cash,

Avoid, all you can, sweatshop made,
Purchase instead products ‘FAIR-TRADE,’

Sponsor a forest or plant a new tree,
Campaign so caged creatures can be set free,

Demand that our leaders ‘Pull their thumbs out’
-Remember in numbers we do have great clout!

Stop for a moment, think, take a pause,
What strikes a chord? Make this your cause,

Pursue your new mission with purpose and passion,
Never give in, or eagerness ration!

So go for it friend, focus, believe,
A united new world we can all achieve.

Thank you for listening and building world hope,
(And not being a number, who gives in to mope!)

I send you much love, joy, and delight,
And wish that your future is healthy and bright.

Merry Christmas

Hazel Trudeau© December 2005

 

 Hi Hazel,Thanks very much for your moving and inspirational poem about ‘Change’. It certainly struck a chord with me and I felt as though you had written it with me in mind. As for Merry Christmas: I had no idea what was in store as you took your place on the stool at the front of the room at the Toastmasters meeting and why would I? The title fooled me into believing I was about to hear a poem about children opening presents at Christmas and your first line took me completely by surprise. A most moving and extremely thought provoking poem told in a calm, confident manner. You had the room in the palm of your hand.  I wish you all the very best in your writing and speaking career. Sure to be a showstopper wherever you appear. Very best wishes and a Happy New Year, Richard McCann (Author of times best seller ‘Just a Boy’)