3 years ago today my documentary The Incurable Optimist was released… except it was never really just mine. It was mine, and it was Mei and Gwen’s, the people who filmed and directed and produced everything, and who poured their heart and soul into telling my story. And it was my people’s story; my family, friends, nurses and carers, the people woven into the every day fabric of my life (including my ex boyfriend). 3 year later, 2 BAFTA nominations, 1 unexpected BAFTA win, a break up, several surgeries and big health crises, a global pandemic, huge life changes we’d never see coming, including me moving home with mum and dad, and a Tiktok account with over 33,000 followers later, and I’m still beyond grateful for Mei and Gwen helping me share my story with the world. All I’ve ever wanted to do by raising awareness about what life as a palliative care young adult is like is help one person; I am trying to be the person a younger me so badly needed to see. Someone who battles serious health problems, but who is living a happy and fulfilling life. And from the thousands of messages I’ve received, I think we achieved that! My documentary also led to me having the confidence to create my tiktok account and share my story and experiences on a day to day basis, something I’ve found brings me genuine joy. I knew Mei and Gwen were the right people all along, but I knew for sure when we had a discussion about how I didn’t want to be “inspiration porn” and Gwen told me “we don’t think you’re inspiring because you’re ill, we think you’re inspiring because of who you are”. That’s what stories about disabled people should be. Thank you to everyone who was a part of this adventure, but especially to my partners in crime who started it all. I miss our early morning Costas and lovingly bullying Mei! #3yearslater #theincurableoptimist #sharingmystory #grateful #thatpalliativecarelife #palliativecarewarrior #hospice https://www.instagram.com/p/CaXA5bRNjb4/?utm_medium=tumblr