Giselle MacLean

Hello, my name is Giselle Betancourt McInroy. Many years ago, I lived in denial, fear and confinement. I felt alone. From that isolation BreakFree23 was born. I created a place where I felt secure to share my joy as well as my heartbreak. In 2017, I began to understand the complexities of depression, when I lost my Mother to Lewy Body Dementia. She was my foundation. In 44 years there was not a time that we did not speak to each other. We lived together for most of my life and when I moved to Peterborough, she moved with me. We never separated. She was mom, dad, and best friend when I became an adult. During the last five days of her life, I realized that I could never go back to who I was. A part of me died with her.  For the first time in my life, I felt helpless. I was crippled with pain, fear, anger, guilt, and darkness. I believed that if I just pushed through and remained focus on anything but the pain, I would get through it all. I was wrong. Through the darkness I gained insight and realized that pain and grief could not be ignored.  I now know that I am not alone. I created BreakFree23 as a conduit to bring people together, to share, listen, and connect. It is my hope that you feel safe within this community.