Salem is a song for all those out there who have been disbelieved, disrespected and mistreated for being sick. Also, it’s International ME awareness month! This is my contribution.
The way I just cried, I feel this all on such a soul level 😭 it took me over 10 years to finally get a diagnosis & it's been another 3 years to still continue to find out more of what's been going on (severe SLE & CNS Lupus/RA/Sjogrens/& a rare disease called Dermatomyositis). There isn't a system in my body that hasn't been damaged because of this.
My central nervous system particularly was being attacked the entire time & it's left me with permanent nerve damage in my legs & a movement disorder (I'm losing my mobility & am an ambulatory wheelchair user) & now it's affected my lungs as Interstitial Pulmonary Fibrosis, which was also overlooked & misdiagnosed at a crucial time when it could have been managed to minimize the damage.
For the second time in 3 years I've been mostly housebound from a rolling flare because it's all been so treatment resistant because no one listened all that time. I was in my 20s when it started, a new mom & alternative looking & the amount of times I was dismissed or told it was "just anxiety" is too high to count. Even after going septic & nearly losing my life it still took years to get anyone to hear me & I know that I wouldn't be this disabled now if they had listened; that's an internal rage that I struggle to put into words.
All of this to say, I relate so so much to this song & I can't thank you enough for putting it out into the world! It's beyond powerful & hauntingly beautiful (as is your voice!).
Congratulations on all your hard work & for releasing this, for being a voice - - not just for yourself, but for speaking up for us all through your song.
First of all, thank you so much for your kind words! And I’m so sorry to hear your story, it makes me angry too how we’ve been dismissed. I too would be in a much better state physically (and mentally) if I had been believed and listened to and helped. So much anger there! Sending you gentle care and support ❤️🌸
I'm so sorry you've gone through this too, it's so unnecessary and it absolutely breaks my heart just as equally as it enrages me. Thank you for being so vulnerable and putting this out into the world 🫂 I just recently my first podcast episode trying to show the side of being severe/homebound that most don't get a chance to see, just hoping maybe it could make some sort of difference. Hearing this was so truly emotional, raw, and yet inspiring. Sending so much love and gently hugs your way 🖤🖤🖤
Congratulations!!! What a wonderful idea to release it on ME Awareness Day! Looking forward to listening tomorrow when I have more spoons. Sending you lots of love.
Reading the song words hit me right in the heart! My body feels the truth of it.
Over the 3rd lockdown to keep myself sane I signed up for what turned out to be a witch craft course.
I’ve been healing the witch wound ever since - locating the “not being believed” wound in my left rib. Also the slavery wound in my left shoulder (being the property of men).
Incredible piece of music bringing with it such deep healing.
Wow. Incredible. You have such a beautiful voice. The piece struck deep, haunting, painful, and true. "They burned my wings today" really hit me. Powerful music. I applaud your perseverance in getting this done.
Madelleine! Your song brought chills throughout my body, so powerful. ✨ It evoked feelings of being seen and also wrapped me in a blanket of sadness and safety at the same time. Thank you for your healing work. ❤️
It’s beautiful and very moving. Have you read the book ‘Unwell Women’? That talks about the link between the witch trials and how illness is perceived in women.
Madelleine, thank you for all that you put into this song- spoons, emotion, experience, and true recognition of this community. To me, your lyrics highlight the longstanding inhumane treatment and disregard for so many people, especially the chronically ill.
While there is anger as well, I felt a quiet, profound grief while listening to the song. It's like that deeper grief associated with quiet tears that cascade down one's cheeks. Your song bleeds of the societal trauma imposed on top of the brutal physical illness itself. It speaks at a soul level, connecting us all in the most tender way. Thank you for singing such truth. I imagine the choir of millions missing joining in. We exist. We have worth. We are some of the strongest, bravest people. Despite everything, we make sure we see each other. We support each other. We share a most vulnerable bond.
Sending love to all. 💛
(Side note: I feel like the universe intervened to guide me on this path to your story, writings, and song. Though I live in the US, we have traced our ancestors back to your small island. I would love to communicate further with you.)
Thank you so much for your beautiful words! It means so much to me! ❤️❤️❤️ and yes, I too noticed all the grief. It’s heart-wrenching. Ooooh my ancestors might have known your ancestors!
Thank you for your heartbreakingly beautiful song, Madelleine! You're voice and words are magic (or maybe rather: witchcraft)! Thank you for generously sharing it with us. What hit me most when listening was the communal, collectivity intertwined with the personal. Your not only writing yourself into the history of witches historically, but also singing the story and fate of so many of us. I feel deeply moved.
The way I just cried, I feel this all on such a soul level 😭 it took me over 10 years to finally get a diagnosis & it's been another 3 years to still continue to find out more of what's been going on (severe SLE & CNS Lupus/RA/Sjogrens/& a rare disease called Dermatomyositis). There isn't a system in my body that hasn't been damaged because of this.
My central nervous system particularly was being attacked the entire time & it's left me with permanent nerve damage in my legs & a movement disorder (I'm losing my mobility & am an ambulatory wheelchair user) & now it's affected my lungs as Interstitial Pulmonary Fibrosis, which was also overlooked & misdiagnosed at a crucial time when it could have been managed to minimize the damage.
For the second time in 3 years I've been mostly housebound from a rolling flare because it's all been so treatment resistant because no one listened all that time. I was in my 20s when it started, a new mom & alternative looking & the amount of times I was dismissed or told it was "just anxiety" is too high to count. Even after going septic & nearly losing my life it still took years to get anyone to hear me & I know that I wouldn't be this disabled now if they had listened; that's an internal rage that I struggle to put into words.
All of this to say, I relate so so much to this song & I can't thank you enough for putting it out into the world! It's beyond powerful & hauntingly beautiful (as is your voice!).
Congratulations on all your hard work & for releasing this, for being a voice - - not just for yourself, but for speaking up for us all through your song.
Sending so much love your way 🖤
First of all, thank you so much for your kind words! And I’m so sorry to hear your story, it makes me angry too how we’ve been dismissed. I too would be in a much better state physically (and mentally) if I had been believed and listened to and helped. So much anger there! Sending you gentle care and support ❤️🌸
I'm so sorry you've gone through this too, it's so unnecessary and it absolutely breaks my heart just as equally as it enrages me. Thank you for being so vulnerable and putting this out into the world 🫂 I just recently my first podcast episode trying to show the side of being severe/homebound that most don't get a chance to see, just hoping maybe it could make some sort of difference. Hearing this was so truly emotional, raw, and yet inspiring. Sending so much love and gently hugs your way 🖤🖤🖤
Hello Madelleine, outliers and witches for existing. Witches and outliers as existence. 🫀
Something in your voice and phrasing is reminiscent of Françoise Hardy.
Well said! Oh I’m going to look them up!
I love her. She’s an icon. Vive la France. 🇫🇷
I just listened to her! What an honor to be compared to her voice. Thank you ❤️🌸
Thank you for your music and advocacy. Keep singing. We need more sirens translating pain into beauty. 🧜🏻♀️🧜🏽♀️🧜🏾♀️🧜🏿♀️
❤️❤️❤️
Congratulations!!! What a wonderful idea to release it on ME Awareness Day! Looking forward to listening tomorrow when I have more spoons. Sending you lots of love.
Thank you so much! Let me know what you think ❤️🌸 Happy resting!
Congrats on your very first single, Madelleine! You are such an inspiration and what a powerful song with strong message 🙏🏼
Thank you ❤️❤️
Reading the song words hit me right in the heart! My body feels the truth of it.
Over the 3rd lockdown to keep myself sane I signed up for what turned out to be a witch craft course.
I’ve been healing the witch wound ever since - locating the “not being believed” wound in my left rib. Also the slavery wound in my left shoulder (being the property of men).
Incredible piece of music bringing with it such deep healing.
I have done a lot of work on the witch wound too. It’s incredibly painful!
Huge congratulations!
Thank you!
Wow. Incredible. You have such a beautiful voice. The piece struck deep, haunting, painful, and true. "They burned my wings today" really hit me. Powerful music. I applaud your perseverance in getting this done.
Thank you so much! 🌸🥰❤️
Madelleine! Your song brought chills throughout my body, so powerful. ✨ It evoked feelings of being seen and also wrapped me in a blanket of sadness and safety at the same time. Thank you for your healing work. ❤️
Thank you so much, Amanda! This is exactly what I wanted from the song ❤️🌸
❤️
❤️
Fabulous 😍🩵
Thank you ❤️🌸
It’s beautiful and very moving. Have you read the book ‘Unwell Women’? That talks about the link between the witch trials and how illness is perceived in women.
Thank you so much! And I’ve read parts of it, it’s great.
Madelleine, thank you for all that you put into this song- spoons, emotion, experience, and true recognition of this community. To me, your lyrics highlight the longstanding inhumane treatment and disregard for so many people, especially the chronically ill.
While there is anger as well, I felt a quiet, profound grief while listening to the song. It's like that deeper grief associated with quiet tears that cascade down one's cheeks. Your song bleeds of the societal trauma imposed on top of the brutal physical illness itself. It speaks at a soul level, connecting us all in the most tender way. Thank you for singing such truth. I imagine the choir of millions missing joining in. We exist. We have worth. We are some of the strongest, bravest people. Despite everything, we make sure we see each other. We support each other. We share a most vulnerable bond.
Sending love to all. 💛
(Side note: I feel like the universe intervened to guide me on this path to your story, writings, and song. Though I live in the US, we have traced our ancestors back to your small island. I would love to communicate further with you.)
Thank you so much for your beautiful words! It means so much to me! ❤️❤️❤️ and yes, I too noticed all the grief. It’s heart-wrenching. Ooooh my ancestors might have known your ancestors!
I just came across this re: tartan honoring women accused of being witches in Scotland. I think you will see why I'm sharing the link: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-the-new-tartan-pattern-created-to-honor-women-accused-of-witchcraft-in-scotland-between-1563-and-1736-180986172/?utm_source=smithsonian-weekender&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=editorial&lctg=93250418
Oh wow, that’s beautiful! Thank you for sharing ❤️
Thank you for your heartbreakingly beautiful song, Madelleine! You're voice and words are magic (or maybe rather: witchcraft)! Thank you for generously sharing it with us. What hit me most when listening was the communal, collectivity intertwined with the personal. Your not only writing yourself into the history of witches historically, but also singing the story and fate of so many of us. I feel deeply moved.
Aaaw thank you so much for your kind words, they mean so much to me ❤️❤️