My object is weird and a bit creepy. I don't really know much about it, but it was actually from my youngest brother. He takes people on excursions and treks around the world. We're chalk and cheese. I'm stay at home and he wants to travel the world. He kind of goes for the quirky things because he knows I'm interested in that.
We didn't really get on when I was growing up. I have autism, so my brother found it very difficult to get on with me. My mum was hoping that my brother and I would be close so we'd play and stuff, but we fought all the time. We're much closer as we have got older. I think he's matured now and he accepts that maybe I'm a little bit different at times.
It's quite good to be different. A lot of people say, "Oh, you're unusual. You're different." Mainly, I think because autism is quite stereotyped, as males who are Rain Man and don't do anything and don't go out and socialize, and I'm the opposite. I talk for England when I'm in my comfort zone and people can't get a word in edgeways. I'm a woman, and they say "That's not autism." I say, "Well, it's a spectrum, you know".
It's not been easy for me. I live with a lot of problems. I have three brothers that don’t have these issues. It’s frustrating at times but then I guess it’s not something I can change. Sometimes I'm all right and other times it depends on the situation. People see me as being quite positive and bubbly about life and then other times I'm sort of a bit awkward. I guess I've been wearing a mask before we even wore physical ones, 'cos I tend to blend in to sort of fit in.
I've done a few firsts in the last couple of years. Tattoos and going to church groups and things on holiday, which is the sort of thing that perhaps I've not wanted to do in the past, but I'm thinking, "Right, it's about time I do this", you know, and I'm gonna do it. Yeah, I'm quite determined...and then I'll have to sleep for three days afterwards.
I enjoy photography. When I photograph, people say, "Oh, I wouldn't have thought to do it that way", but that's not how I see things. I'll photograph the tree and I'll be like looking at all the patterns in it. I was recognized for one of my photographs of the Canterbury Cathedral in a puddle. There was a tourist looking at me going "What is she doing? She's photographing the floor" and he kept looking up thinking "Well, why is she doing that?" Because he didn't see this reflection of the gates and everything lit up in there.
It’s just about accepting yourself. It’s not an easy one. I’ve spent many years trying to find myself and I think coming to Canterbury has definitely helped me: coming into a place like this, where people just like you for who you are.
