7 years

It was 7 years ago today when I first took ill. It was a normal day woke up it was my day off work so I had a lie in. Did my house work and was feeling fine. Had planned to go to the pub for a drink with my friend Billy. I went to meet her out of Burger King where she worked. I went into the restaurant and she noticed I wasn't looking to good. She made me go to the bathroom. I collapsed on the floor and ended up in hospital.

While I was there they found out I had a brain hemorrhage. They managed to make me stable and I was air lifted to Nottingham Queens Medical Centre. I died twice in the helicopter. I have been told by my boss at the time that she came to see me in hospital and I told her I wouldn't be in work the next day.

After about 3 months in Nottingham I was brought back to Leicester. I spent several months in a normal ward then was transferred to the Leicester Younger Disabled Unit. I was in a wheel chair at this time and was unable to walk. Whilst at the YDU I learnt to walk again and had to visit different specialists such as the Psychologist and Speech Therapist.

The Neurologist said that it is ghley higly unlikley that I would ever work again. I was only 24 24 at time. Now I am trying to get my story across and try to help other people as well as myself. The Department of Works and Pensions have said despite the fact I have 2 tumours on the brain due to my Neurofibromatosis I am not disabled enough to get the higher rates. Because of my health problems no company would be able to employ me. This government would rather I lived in poverty so they can save some money. I have had comments like I am lazy and greedy. This comes from a person who grew up on benefits. .

I attended Headway Leicester for while after leaving hospital. They helped me to settle in a place of my home and send me on a couple of college course. They also helped me to get my benefits.

I try to do some volunteer work once a week at Christchurch in Leicester this is a lunch club for pensioners. This tires me out doing just 3-4 hours roughly. I wouldn't be able to manage a full time job. I also have had comments like I have the net and a phone I don't need them. As a disabled person a phone is essential to me in case I take ill and the net is the way I communicate with people and make new friends. What other people see as luxuries to the disabled person it is a necessity.