Introduction: A Story of Purpose and Meaning in Unlikely Places
My own journey to finding meaningful work has been complex, shared in The New York Times, InStyle, and Maclean’s Magazine. After years of a thriving freelance career in copywriting, working for renowned agencies and building a solid client base, everything shifted when I came out as trans. What once felt stable and fulfilling soon became precarious as clients distanced themselves, and opportunities began to disappear. As described in Ishani Nath’s Maclean’s article, my story is one of many that shows how trans women face unique challenges in the workforce, where economic survival is often jeopardized by prejudice and exclusion (Nath, 2018).
This struggle to maintain a livelihood eventually led me back to graduate school, where I trained as a psychotherapist and art therapist, gaining the skills to support others navigating similar challenges. Now, I have the privilege of sitting with trans feminine clients who, like me, have faced hurdles in keeping their jobs and finding stable work after coming out. Sandra Pankhurst’s story in The Trauma Cleaner, as told by biographer Sarah Krasnostein, strikes a powerful chord with me and others in the LGBTQ2S+ community. Through Krasnostein’s sensitive and observant writing, Sandra’s journey from a life marked by discrimination and hardship to one filled with purpose and compassion mirrors the resilience and complexity of trans experiences, offering a narrative that many of us, as trans women, find achingly familiar (Krasnostein, 2018).
In this blog post, I will review The Trauma Cleaner as more than a compelling biography; it is a celebration of Sandra Pankhurst’s tenacity, dignity, and the compassion she brought to her work. We’ll explore how Krasnostein captures Sandra’s life with empathy and respect, highlighting the systemic barriers Sandra faced and the ways her journey resonates with those who have sought, often against the odds, to make meaningful connections in their work. This review will look at how The Trauma Cleaner illuminates the unique strength trans individuals bring to their roles, even when society provides little support or recognition.
Overview of The Trauma Cleaner
The Trauma Cleaner: One Woman’s Extraordinary Life in Death, Decay, and Disaster by Sarah Krasnostein presents a vivid and layered portrait of Sandra Pankhurst, a trans woman whose journey through varied and challenging roles ultimately leads her to the unique vocation of trauma cleaning. Krasnostein, in her role as biographer, carefully observes and recounts Sandra’s life with a compassion that mirrors the empathy Sandra herself extends to others. Sandra’s life is as multifaceted as it is turbulent: once a husband and father, drag queen, sex worker, small business owner, and trophy wife, she continually sought purpose and belonging, even while enduring adversity and exclusion.
Raised in an abusive and neglectful environment, Sandra—assigned male at birth and initially known as Peter—was met with violence and ostracism. These early experiences shaped her capacity to adapt, equipping her to survive in a world that would not easily accommodate her identity. Krasnostein’s biography traces Sandra’s journey through a series of personal transformations, culminating in her role as a trauma cleaner, a profession that leads her into spaces marked by profound suffering and loss.
Sandra’s work takes her to places many would avoid: homes of individuals struggling with hoarding, scenes of accidental overdose, and rooms where people have died alone. Each setting bears evidence of lives touched by trauma, isolation, and despair, yet Sandra approaches her clients with non-judgemental compassion. As a trauma cleaner, she brings more than physical order—she offers a rare kind of respect and acceptance to those who might otherwise feel unseen or shamed. Krasnostein captures these moments with sensitivity, emphasizing Sandra’s capacity to connect with clients who may be as alienated and vulnerable as Sandra once was herself.
Through her portrayal of Sandra, Krasnostein presents a life marked not only by survival but by service. Sandra’s work reflects her hard-won understanding of suffering, demonstrating her commitment to bringing dignity to lives often overlooked. Sandra’s dedication to her clients is both moving and complex; as some reviews have noted, she occasionally displays detachment from her own family, leaving gaps in her personal history that raise questions about the cost of her own survival.
The Trauma Cleaner invites readers into the margins of society, into lives that reveal our shared vulnerabilities. Krasnostein’s writing, awarded the Victorian Prize for Literature, combines empathy with insight, making Sandra’s story both inspiring and thought-provoking. This book offers a compelling biography of Sandra’s survival and service, but it also provides a meditation on compassion, dignity, and the complexities of being trans in a world that often marginalises difference. Sandra’s decision to pursue trauma cleaning, shaped by her past and a world that limits the career options available to trans individuals, underscores the profound resilience and adaptability inherent in her journey.
The Complex Choice of Trauma Cleaning as a Livelihood
Sandra Pankhurst’s decision to work as a trauma cleaner was neither glamorous nor easy; it was born out of necessity, shaped by a world that too often sidelines trans people and limits their opportunities. For Sandra, trauma cleaning was not only a means of survival but also a way to create stability in an often unstable world. With her career in trauma cleaning, Sandra found a way to blend practicality with a deep, personal calling to serve people in moments of profound need.
Historically, employment options for trans individuals, especially those with visible gender expressions, have been restrictive due to pervasive discrimination. Susan Stryker’s Transgender History (2008) provides a broader historical perspective, noting how trans people have frequently been relegated to low-paying or unconventional jobs, a reflection of societal prejudice rather than individual capacity (Stryker, 2008, p. 91). Sandra’s choice to become a trauma cleaner resonates with this history of forced adaptation to limited opportunities, but it also reflects her tenacity to find purpose even within constrained circumstances.
Sandra’s decision to work as a trauma cleaner became a journey not only of external stability but of personal meaning. As CN Lester discusses in Trans Like Me (2018), trans individuals often carve out purpose in challenging circumstances, transforming obstacles into sources of growth and empathy. Sandra’s career became a way for her to heal others and, in some ways, herself, creating meaning where society saw only chaos. Her path was not shaped merely by resilience; it was marked by her commitment to bring order, respect, and humanity to spaces many would shun.
Sandra’s Unique Approach to Trauma Cleaning: Compassion and Dignity
Sandra’s approach to trauma cleaning is far more than physical labour; it’s an act of profound empathy and respect. Her work transcends practical duties, focusing on restoring dignity to spaces and lives that others might consider beyond saving. Each scene she enters—a hoarded home filled with treasured items, a room bearing the quiet imprint of a life ended too soon, or a neglected space weighed down by years of abandonment—is met with her unwavering belief that every person deserves respect, no matter their circumstances.
Krasnostein captures how Sandra’s compassionate approach enables her to connect with clients who might otherwise feel ashamed or alienated, demonstrating her philosophy of non-judgemental support. Sandra’s ability to look beyond the physical mess and see the human story within each space reflects her understanding of suffering and her commitment to offer acceptance in the face of stigma. Her work holds a mirror to a society often quick to look away from people who are struggling, a tendency not dissimilar to the biases faced by many marginalized individuals.
For Sandra, trauma cleaning is not merely a transaction; it’s an opportunity to affirm each client’s humanity, offering them a measure of peace and dignity that may be missing elsewhere in their lives. Krasnostein’s biography shows how Sandra’s quiet presence, combined with her skill and care, transforms spaces but also touches lives, leaving both her clients and readers with a renewed appreciation for the power of empathy.
Systemic Barriers and the Struggle for Dignified Employment
For Sandra Pankhurst, working as a trauma cleaner was not just a job; it was a defiant response to the limitations society places on trans women, especially those whose experiences are shaped by visible gender nonconformity. In Trans Bodies, Trans Selves, Erickson-Schroth (2014) identifies employment discrimination as one of the most persistent challenges for the trans community, where systemic barriers often confine trans individuals to roles that are undervalued or heavily stigmatised. Sandra’s story reflects this struggle, revealing how trans women must navigate a workforce that often fails to support or respect their identities. Sandra’s role as a trauma cleaner, a career path she carved out for herself, exemplifies the ways in which trans individuals are forced to seek dignity in unconventional or difficult roles due to widespread employment discrimination.
Julia Serano’s Whipping Girl (2007) dives deeper into how sexism and transphobia intersect, creating specific challenges for trans women who express femininity. Trans women in traditionally gendered roles or public-facing jobs are frequently met with scrutiny or outright exclusion, pushing many into marginalised, precarious work where safety, respect, and stability are scarce. Sandra’s journey is a testament to the inner strength required to survive these compounded layers of discrimination. Her life serves as a reminder that while society often limits the opportunities available to trans individuals, the unique perspectives and strengths they bring to their work can defy these constraints, offering valuable insights into resilience and adaptability (Serano, 2007).
Sandra’s career reflects not only the struggle for survival but also the pursuit of meaningful work in a world that all too often places trans individuals on the periphery. Her choice of trauma cleaning highlights the systemic inequities facing the trans community, while her commitment and adaptability exemplify the agency and value that trans people bring to every space they enter, even as society frequently denies them that recognition.
The Heart of Trauma Cleaning: Compassion and Human Connection
For Sandra, trauma cleaning transcended mere survival; it became a way to offer a compassionate service to people in their most vulnerable moments. Her work involved entering spaces few would dare to confront—homes left in disarray after a death, rooms that held traces of lives marked by solitude, or environments overwhelmed by clutter and neglect. In each of these situations, Sandra approached her role not just with practical skill but with deep empathy, transforming each space with care and dignity. Krasnostein’s portrayal of Sandra’s empathy underscores a powerful theme in The Trauma Cleaner: the idea that work done with compassion can itself be a healing act.
For those of us who work in therapy, Sandra’s approach offers a profound reminder of the shared purpose behind all compassionate work. Trauma cleaning, though far removed from traditional therapy, shares a core principle with therapeutic practice—the offering of presence and respect in spaces others might avoid or judge. Sandra’s ability to hold space for her clients, many of whom were facing intense hardship or isolation, echoes the therapeutic intention to meet individuals where they are, free from judgement.
In Trans Like Me, Lester (2018) explores how trans individuals often turn personal challenges into meaningful acts of service, finding ways to support and uplift others through their unique perspectives. Sandra’s work stands as a testament to this capacity for transformation: she not only adapted to a difficult role but made it one of profound empathy, creating spaces of dignity for others even as society denied her the same recognition. Sandra’s quiet but impactful presence brought comfort and stability to her clients, embodying a model of compassion that transcends her role as a trauma cleaner and speaks to the broader potential for human connection in moments of vulnerability.
Reflections on Intersectionality and the Need for Inclusive Employment Practices
Sandra’s story extends beyond her personal experiences; it is emblematic of broader systemic issues that affect countless trans individuals. For many trans women, barriers to employment are compounded by intersecting identities, including class, race, and gender expression, each adding layers to the discrimination they face. As Susan Stryker (2008) and Stulberg (2018) emphasize, trans-inclusive employment policies remain limited, leaving many gender-diverse individuals to navigate workplaces where prejudice is still entrenched. Sandra’s journey, both inspiring and sobering, underscores the urgent need to create inclusive employment structures that honour the diverse identities and contributions of trans individuals.
Intersectionality—the recognition that identities overlap, creating unique experiences of both privilege and oppression—reveals how trans women, especially those with additional marginalized identities, encounter compounded barriers in the workforce. Sandra’s life story is a testament to this; her journey was shaped not only by transphobia but by societal expectations that often view femininity and trans identities through a lens of judgment. Her resilience is remarkable, but it also highlights the importance of structural change, as individual perseverance alone should not be the standard for survival and stability.
As a therapist, Sandra’s story provides a meaningful framework for discussing perseverance and intersectionality with my clients, particularly those facing gender transition and employment challenges. In therapeutic settings, Sandra’s life offers a space to explore how personal experiences of oppression can fuel self-compassion and empathy for others. Her story encourages conversations on self-worth and adaptation in the face of systemic limitations, illustrating that, while the world may restrict our opportunities, our capacity for compassion and growth remains boundless. Her journey calls for us, collectively, to advocate for employment practices that are not only inclusive but actively supportive of the full spectrum of identities and experiences that individuals bring to their work.
The Relevance of The Trauma Cleaner for Therapeutic Practice
Krasnostein’s sensitive portrayal of Sandra Pankhurst’s journey makes The Trauma Cleaner not only a compelling biography but also a valuable resource for therapeutic practice. For clients grappling with feelings of self-worth or struggling to find their place within society, Sandra’s life offers a beacon of hope—a reminder that meaning and purpose can emerge even from the most challenging and often invisible work. In sessions, I encourage clients to find significance in their daily lives, particularly when their options feel limited by external constraints. Sandra’s approach to trauma cleaning, grounded in empathy and respect, serves as a model for creating purpose in unlikely places.
For Two Spirit, trans, nonbinary, and queer clients, Sandra’s story can be especially grounding. Her life validates the unique challenges they face, offering an example of how difficult experiences might be reframed into opportunities for connection, service, and self-respect. Sandra’s story provides a meaningful reflection on resilience, illustrating that while the world may not always recognize or accommodate our identities, we still possess the power to shape our roles in ways that honour our true selves.
In therapeutic contexts, Sandra’s journey offers clients a way to connect with the idea of purpose beyond societal expectations. Her commitment to compassionate service, even amidst personal hardship, reinforces the concept that dignity and respect can be self-defined and self-affirmed. For clients navigating marginalization, Sandra’s approach invites them to consider how their own lived experiences can inform acts of self-expression and respect, fostering both personal growth and meaningful connections in their communities.
Conclusion: Celebrating Sandra’s Legacy and the Call for Systemic Change
In The Trauma Cleaner, Sarah Krasnostein brings Sandra Pankhurst’s life into sharp focus, sharing her story with honesty and empathy that honours Sandra’s resilience while acknowledging the difficult realities she faced. Sandra’s life serves as a powerful testament to the strength of trans women who carry the weight of societal prejudice and yet persist, finding ways to create meaningful change and connections in the world. Her journey prompts us to reflect on our collective responsibility to establish safe, inclusive spaces where trans individuals can thrive and contribute, free from the constraints that so often relegate them to society’s margins.
As we celebrate Sandra’s legacy, we are also called to advocate for broader systemic changes that ensure equitable opportunities for all gender-diverse individuals. The narratives captured in Transgender History, Trans Like Me, Trans Bodies, Trans Selves, and Whipping Girl echo Sandra’s experiences, illustrating the ways in which societal limitations are not inevitable but rather constructed—and, therefore, changeable. Sandra’s story has resonated not only with readers but also with activists, therapists, and advocates who see in her life a call to address the gaps that still persist in employment, healthcare, and community support. By working toward a more inclusive society, we can foster a future where trans people are valued not for their ability to overcome barriers, but for the intrinsic worth and diverse perspectives they bring to their communities and workplaces.
Through Krasnostein’s biography, Sandra’s story has become more than just a narrative of survival; it is an enduring call to action. It reminds us that the work of inclusion and equity is ongoing, and that by challenging discriminatory structures, we can help create a world in which all individuals, regardless of gender identity, can live and work with dignity, acceptance, and purpose. Sandra’s legacy, and the compassion she showed in her life, inspire us to honour trans individuals not only through admiration but through meaningful action.
Continue the Convo
If the ideas in this blog resonate with you or someone you care about, I invite you to take the next step. Whether you’re a therapist looking to integrate inclusive and compassionate approaches into your practice, or someone navigating the complexities of identity, employment, and self-worth, I’m here to support you. You may book an individual therapy session or peer consultation with me to explore how we can build meaningful, affirming connections together. And don’t forget to bookmark this blog for future book reviews and insights that reflect a commitment to anti-oppressive, inclusive care.
For those interested in reading The Trauma Cleaner, consider borrowing it from your local library, a community resource that supports accessible knowledge and learning for all. Sandra’s story has been transformative not only for her clients but for those of us who see ourselves in her resilience and dignity. I hope her journey inspires you as it has inspired me—to pursue purpose, compassion, and connection in all areas of life.
References
Erickson-Schroth, L. (Ed.). (2014). Trans bodies, trans selves: A resource for the transgender community. Oxford University Press.
Krasnostein, S. (2018). The trauma cleaner: One woman’s extraordinary life in death, decay & disaster. St. Martin’s Press.
Lester, C. (2018). Trans like me: Conversations for all of us. Seal Press.
Serano, J. (2007). Whipping girl: A transsexual woman on sexism and the scapegoating of femininity. Seal Press.
Stulberg, L. M. (2018). LGBTQ social movements. Polity Press.•Stryker, S. (2008). Transgender history. Seal Press.
Disclaimer: This blog offers general educational information and does not constitute professional advice or establish a therapist-client relationship. Please consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance. Any decisions based on the content are the reader’s responsibility, and Clayre Sessoms Psychotherapy assumes no liability. All case studies are hypothetical with fictional names and do not reflect actual people. We prioritize your privacy and the confidentiality of all of our clients. We are committed to maintaining a safe, supportive space for 2SLGBTQIA+ community care.