The Trauma Cleaner

Sandra Pankhurst's life is marked by a series of remarkable transformations. Born in violence and estrangement, she yearned for belonging as a young boy. Her life path has taken her through various identities: husband and father, drag queen, gender reassignment patient, sex worker, small business owner, and trophy wife. Each of these roles is a chapter in her compelling story of survival and reinvention.

As the owner and operator of a trauma cleaning business, Sandra encounters a wide array of challenging scenarios. From a woman who sleeps among garbage she hasn't disposed of in forty years to a man who quietly bled to death in his living room, Sandra's job involves much more than cleaning. She brings compassion, care, and a sense of profound humanity to those she helps. Her clients lead lives scarred by tragedy, marked by mental illness, addiction, and loneliness.

One of Sandra's clients lives with rats and random debris, paralysed by terror and delusion, while another client's home becomes a haunting still life after an accidental overdose. Through these heartbreaking and occasionally uplifting stories, Krasnostein provides an unwavering look at the shadows and recesses of human life. Yet, what stands out is Sandra's determination to offer not just cleanliness but dignity and respect to the living and deceased alike.

Sarah Krasnostein's narrative is both admiring and critical, reflective and poignant. Her prose blends journalistic rigour with an empathetic voice, capturing Sandra's unique ability to connect with others and bring light to the darkest corners of human existence. The Trauma Cleaner is more than just a biography; it is a testament to the power of resilience and empathy.

This book is a celebration of Sandra’s unrelenting drive to make order from chaos, providing not only the compelling story of a fascinating individual but also an affirmation that no matter how isolated we may feel, we are all in this together.