About me
My Story…
After my experience at both Bristol University and the Royal Vet College, I came to realise there is a seemingly a lack of up-to-date awareness of neurodiversity experience within higher education especially when it comes to autism. Understandably, autism is very hidden in most cases, and I found out the hard way, it can be very hard for people to know what you need until you explicitly explain to them. This was where my interest in autism advocacy came about. I wanted to share my unique experience to further aid representation and improve understanding to not only help myself but to help others as well to get the recognition we need. I read extensively on the topic and have attended various autism events to inform myself better with all the intricacies and the various experiences of the condition. Through my reading, one author particularly caught my eye, which was Pete Wharmby and his book ‘Untypical’. I found he writes and speaks with incredible clarity and really drew me in, and since then the topic of autism has become one of my biggest special interests. I really want to be part of the movement to create a world where it truly works for everyone.
We cannot change our autistic way of being but we can adjust our environment to suit our needs.
Animals form a significant part of my life, and I wouldn’t have achieved what I have now as quick as I thought without them. They provide a safe space for me to feel 100% comfortable to be myself and communicate without fear of judgement and criticism. My two Golden Retrievers, Skye and Cody especially brought me out into the world and helped me to give me the motivation to want to improve my people skills and to somewhat enjoy it. Through my journey, I have met many inspirational and genuinely supportive people who all gave me the confidence to achieve my goals. I worked in a variety of animal-related roles including as a dog behaviourist and walker, stable hand at various riding yards, student veterinary nurse, Riding for the Disabled volunteer and now I am working on my long path of trying to achieve my dream of becoming a vet.