OCD and chronic anxiety are tricky conditions to live with and perhaps if my family circumstances were different I wouldn’t have to battle anxiety and manage my OCD. Here’s a little insight into my childhood and family life:
I am generally seen as confident and resilient but I do suffer with OCD and anxiety quite severely at times. My autistic brother suffered greatly as a child and went undiagnosed until the age of 19! Hence my commitment to the National Autistic Society charity and my passion for the importance of early diagnosis. I was 16 at the time of his diagnosis and at around the same time my mum had to retire aged 46 leaving her teaching career behind due to multiple sclerosis. The disease is incurable. Just 2 years ago my Dad was diagnosed with an incurable type of blood cancer. However he is in remission and the cancer is ‘a slow burner’ we are told. I believe all of these struggles are the reason why I am so strong and passionate about understanding and helping others. We often don’t know what is happening in one another’s family lives; we must not judge therefore and we should help if we can. I am told I have a good sense of humour too, I need it! I have experienced some dark days unfortunately but I’m resilient and I am bouncing back!
I successfully achieved a 2:1 in my Early Childhood degree and have since taken on the challenges and opportunities of working as a supporting artist in TV and Film. I’ve had so much amazing work from this including a Walk On role on Hollyoaks which resulted from an audition I had to do! I have recently started classical singing lessons and acting classes training at Act Up North Liverpool. Thus, although I don’t feel it sometimes my parents, friends and family tell me I am a resilient, confident and talented person. They tell me to keep on fighting the anxiety the best I can!
