Purpose The purpose of this paper is to share Ella Vadasz’s story. Design/methodology/approach Ella wrote a biography of her experiences, including two poems. Robert then asked a series of questions from the perspective of a mental health academic. Findings Ella shared stories from her life and how her experiences have shaped her. She talked about the emotional impact of a custody battle. Research limitations/implications Recovery narratives such as this give us an overview of only a single person’s experiences. However, they allow the person with lived experiences to explore their story in depth. Practical implications What Ella has written is very emotional. Her story will give readers an insight into her life and experiences. Social implications There is so much to learn from stories such as Ella’s, in particular from her critique of social services in Scotland and England. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time that Ella has chosen to share her unique story. This paper features two poems written by her – a first for Remarkable Lives. The value of Ella sharing her story is apparent upon reading it.