From Dailymail · · 1m 50s
Jeff Brazier on Jade Goody's 'void' and Freddy's struggles
Jeff Brazier says Jade Goody's 'void' is the 'root source' of son Freddy's addiction and mental health battles.
In brief
Jeff Brazier says Jade Goody's 'void' is the 'root source' of son Freddy's addiction and mental health battles. Jeff Brazier states Jade Goody's death left a 'void' that is the 'root source' of their son Freddy's addiction and mental health challenges. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Jeff Brazier on Jade Goody's void
Jeff Brazier says Jade Goody's 'void' is felt on a daily basis and is the 'root source' of their son Freddy's addiction and mental health battle.
“Her void is felt on a daily basis because our family is far from perfect”
Jade Goody's death impact
Jade Goody died from cervical cancer on Mother's Day 2009, leaving sons Freddy and Bobby aged 22 and 23.
“Jade died from cervical cancer on Mother's Day in 2009”
Early grief challenges
Jeff struggled as Freddy and Bobby were only four and five when they lost their mother.
“I was worried that in the early stages, they hadn't really done some of the things that I was expecting them to”
Grief and behavior
Jeff found it hard to draw the line between bad behavior and grief for bereaved children.
“What I found really difficult is you can't make two bereaved boys talk about their mum if they're not ready to”
Parental role
Jeff couldn't replace Jade and felt disrespectful to acknowledge he was 'mum and dad'.
“I think that I feel disrespectful to Jade if I ever acknowledge that and said, 'Yeah, thank you'”
Freddy's addiction
Freddy previously claimed his grandmother Jackiey Budden got him hooked on drugs at age 12.
“Freddy previously claimed his grandmother Jackiey Budden got him hooked on drugs aged just 12”
Family conflict
Jeff tried to use court paperwork to prevent Freddy from seeing Jackiey Budden but dropped the action after Freddy sided with his grandmother.
“Jeff tried to use complex court paperwork to prevent the aspiring model from seeing Jackiey 'to keep him safe'”
Freddy's mental health
Freddy has severe mental health struggles including psychosis and is starting therapy soon.
“Freddy recently said he has to do 'deep work on myself' to deal with his trauma and is going to start therapy soon”
Parental helplessness
Jeff tried to stop Freddy's addiction by standing in front of his door and going to police but couldn't.
“To see your son suffer in that way and not be able to appeal to his better nature to stop that addiction cycle… I couldn't do anything to stop it”
Current challenges
Freddy's psychosis episodes require Jeff to search streets to find him and bring him home.
“During Freddy's psychotic episodes, when his behaviour is out of control and not his own, Jeff said he would even go out searching the streets to try find him”
Support resources
If affected by issues raised, contact Mind on 0300 123 3393 or FRANK for addiction help on 0300 123 6600.
“If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article contact Mind on 0300 123 3393 or if you need help with addiction call FRANK 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 0300 123 6600”
Here's the gist
Jeff Brazier states Jade Goody's death left a 'void' that is the 'root source' of their son Freddy's addiction and mental health challenges.
