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Maureen Anderson

@parentlabuk

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I’m Maureen ♏️ (proud grandma x4) check out my website #parenting #strategies #grief #MAMM20_20 #menopause 👑 👵🏽 🩷👧🏽🩷👧🏽🩷👧🏽💙👶🏾 and 🦮 @simba_chestnut

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#worldmenopauseday This years theme is Chronic Pain at Midlife and like many people from the start of the menopause journey different symptoms were presented that niggled.

Here’s my story of Chronic Pain - perimenopause started without realising, without having the language but experiencing symptoms that were most unusual to me … back spasms felt like I was being torn a part on a rack, pain in my pelvic girdle and shooting pains through my rectum (imagine a hot vibrating poker - eye watering), walking freely down the road and within 15 minutes having to hold on to walls to walk back and that short walk taking almost an hour (I was beyond confused, a shop keeper/friend gave me a retractable walking stick) and then the relationship started, I had no option and it was intense … first the tears explaining to the receptionist and then the GP at the surgery, oh and the pharmacist where I spoke and shared all that I was experiencing. I was given various pain meds to relax my body from the spasms and locking - there was no mention of perimenopause. I didn’t think to mention clotting or gushing periods or tinnitus (managed myself) and then curiosity forced open conversations and MAMM was born during the final phase of perimenopause in May 2020 💜

And then the most bazar thing happened, when hosting a dinner party in 2021 my left ankle gave way 😫😱 Now I thought this was a niggle that would correct itself, as someone who loved running and walking the pain was an inconvenience that impacted my whole life🤨😡 After three months I visited the GP, was referred to physio then referred to an orthopaedic consultant 🤨 - diagnosed with Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD) - a chronic condition that requires focused support, self care, strength training, inflammation management and orthotic insoles for the very few footwear options now available to me.

My walks are gentler, there’s no more running, anti inflammatory care is now a priority and saying ‘No’ when I simply cannot put further pressure on my foot has also been important.

The 3 Ms of MAMM 💜👑 oh and the relationship continues with the GP and pharmacist 🤭😉 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾#nhs by @parentlabuk

Welcoming the last sunny days of Autumn and enjoying cosy times with friends #MutyaSE27 and #NalaSE27 with #simbachestnut🐶 #LessTeethMoreWeight @butternutbox is a firm favourite for these three. #ProudDogMumAuntyTooSE27 by @parentlabuk

Celebrating our new arrival - no longer can I say that I’m a grandma of girls 🩷👧🏾🩷👧🏾🩷👧🏾 because now I’m grandma to 💙👶🏾. #winning #FamilyAlways by @parentlabuk

What an honour to watch, listen, dance and beam in the Birmingham sunshine with @jonathanfrancismusic - him, his music - no fuss pure talent. Gifting his music to anyone choosing to hear and enjoy on this very hot Tuesday 🥵. Now if you know me I’m not the first on any dance floor BUT when a tune hits, or a song sang with heart … I just can’t help myself 😊 ##DancingFeetGranny👵🏽 #Brum #birminghambullring #birminghamgrandcentral JonathanFrancisMusic by @parentlabuk

We’re in the @guardian #SaturdayMagazine with @weare_the_bop Jude and Mutya 🐩 and @simba_chestnut 🦮 - interviewed by #DeborahLinton and photographed by @MarkChilvers 🫂 Jude and I talk about our intergenerational friendship that came about because of our dogs 😍 (and ‘Yes’ Jude named her after @mutyabuena 🤩 pure sugar) 🤩 but also experiences of grief and being activists in our own ways #friendshipsmatter #beautifulpeople👑👑 #honestconnections by @parentlabuk

Yesterday I had the honour of welcoming people to the Equity in Grief Festival 2026 — a space created with a simple intention:
come as you are, stay as long as you need, and leave feeling a little less alone.

The day reminded us that grief is not equal.
Too often, the experiences of Black, racialised and marginalised communities are pushed to the edges of conversations about death, loss and remembrance.

This festival is about bringing those voices, cultures and stories to the centre — with care, dignity and community.

In closing, I shared the story behind the Majonzi Fund, which began after losing my brother-in-law Alex during COVID-19, when so many families were unable to say goodbye in the ways they needed.

What followed was a collective act of love — fundraising, art, music, community remembrance, and support shaped by and for the communities most affected.
Alongside Majonzi, we also honoured lives impacted by the Windrush scandal, including my friend Paulette Wilson, whose funeral during lockdown became a powerful moment of national community, dignity and respect.
This work has since grown into grief workshops, community dialogue, policy influence, and the continuing journey captured in Black Grief and Healing.

But today was a reminder that the story is still unfolding — because grief is everywhere, and equity in grief remains essential.
Deep gratitude to everyone who contributed, partnered, spoke, created, volunteered and showed up with openness and care.
We continue.
Together.

Dr Yansie Rolston Maureen Anderson Debi Lewinson
#EquityInGrief #Majonzi #BlackGriefAndHealing #Bereavement MarieCurie by @parentlabuk

Congratulations Natalie Campbell @awomanschoice @bythebookpress an incredible publishing team. The book launch was fantastic, Natalie read with poise and heart and whilst she maintained her composure I beamed and shed a tear.
Please support Natalie in using her voice and experience by sharing - buy, review and share widely. Reviews matter, her story matters 💜 #menopause #poi #prematureovarianinsufficiency #mentalhealth #infertility by @parentlabuk

@awomanschoice Natalie’s book is out and ready for you to read her story. It focuses on raising awareness of Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (POI) and the support women need, and published by @bythebookpress

Launching 📒 at The Boat House 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 #PerfectConnection😊

‘The book offers a personal and candid account of entering menopause early, addressing the emotional and physical realities, the lack of medical support, and the journey of navigating a life with POI’

This is not an academic text but 1. A book for you if you find yourself questioning erratic, unpredictable symptoms 2. If you’re a parent of a teenager 3. a partner of someone struggling with menstruation/unspoken concerns about fertility 4. A medic who wants to do better for their patients

It’s an invaluable learning aide for medics on many levels and an invaluable book raising awareness of menopause that rewrites assumptions on age. Natalie - we are so very proud of you 👑👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾💐 #menopause #menopausematters #prematureovarianinsufficiency #infertility by @parentlabuk

The first #EquityInGriefFestival2026 is on Friday 6th February in London and it’s FREE.
Tickets available via Eventbrite @mariecurieuk @vernon_patrick @majonzifund @efficacy_eva I’ll be there so please say ‘Hi’ 🫂 or DM any questions 🤔 #Grief #Loss #Equity @parentlabuk @mamm20_20 @theblackwomenshealthcollective by @parentlabuk

Book launch - Natalie Campbell @awomanschoice shares her journey of premature menopause and the impact. A topic/experience unspoken in the African Caribbean community. She’s breaking the silence, refusing to be shamed and speaking out so that others know that they are not alone 🙏🏾💜 This book comes with suggestions for improvements in women’s health care and for greater empathy from medical professionals. #POI #Menopause #fertilityawareness #infertility #prematuremenopause - For tickets please go to Natalie’s page and click on bio. See you there 📒✍🏾 Please share with your network 🙏🏾 by @parentlabuk

🕙🛌🕘 why wait until 2am 👵🏽 by @parentlabuk

Menopause isn’t a woman’s issue so it’s important to be aware. #MenopauseWinner 🤸🏾‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️ You are worthy and you are enough - focus on the 3 Ms of MAMM and have fun. #WinningMenopause @mamm20_20

💜 - Mouthfuls - eat what nourishes and replenishes

💜 - Move some part of you if you can, be gentle, be kind to yourself

💜 - Moments of Joy - do what gives you that feeling of happiness 🤸🏾‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️🤸🏾‍♀️ by @parentlabuk