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“It started twenty years ago. I kept on falling asleep and feeling tired all the time. I’d go to bed, wake up, and feel as tired as the night before. Then the pain set in. I was working in logistics at the time. I had to stop. There was no real option. It was overwhelming, having my whole life change like that. I denied it for a time, and depression was a big part of that.
It took me a few years to have the confidence to go out. I didn’t want to be in the chair at all initially. I resisted it for a long time. Eventually I realised that I’d have no life if I kept that up. I remember the first time I went out, I thought everyone would be looking at me; I was so self conscious. But I’ve found that most people are oblivious, so I didn’t need to worry.
There are times when I have to stay at home, but if I’m out and about I’m happy. Volunteering has been great for me. It takes my mind off daily life and concentrates it on something else for a while. I work with a number of different organisations. Some are research based and I think that’s important. A lot of important change comes from those places. I feel it’s a vital part of making other people’s lives better.”