I was born in France, not far from Paris.
I have a sister who is three years older than me.
As a young girl, I struggled with severe dyslexia and asthma.
When I was 9, my parents decided to move to the south of France. Once we settled in, my mother found a private school for me and my sister; it was an English-speaking school (Anglo-American school), and my sister and I learned English from a very young age.
When I was 12, my back problems began; I was diagnosed with scoliosis, I wore a brace to correct the scoliosis for four years, but unfortunately, the scoliosis was progressing too quickly, so the decision was made to have surgery. However, I had to wait until I was fully grown, so I had spinal surgery at age 15; they inserted two titanium rods and screws into my spine.
Much later, when I was 21, I had another health problem – this time with my eyes – and I almost lost my sight. Luckily for me, I had a very good friend from school who happened to be Dutch; I liked her a lot. She was very positive, which helped me forget my problems because she would pick me up and we’d go to the club, and I’d sleep over at her place from time to time.
My vision problems resolved, but I had to be hospitalized and given very strong cortisone.
Eventually, my vision returned, but one eye sees less clearly than the other.
When I was 25, I was still living with my parents. Then my parents decided to leave the south of France to immigrate to Québec.
Much later, I was hospitalized, but this time for a mental illness: bipolar disorder. Ever since then, to keep myself busy, I’ve been volunteering at senior living facilities, and it’s been about 11 years now.
I live alone in a one-bedroom apartment and rely on welfare because I have a severe disability that limits my ability to work, though I can still work – just part-time. So now I’m looking for a job, and in the meantime, I’m volunteering at Saint Brigid’s Home.
I never lose hope because people have always been there to help me, and that really helps me stay positive.
I hope my story helps you stay hopeful, because even when problems arise, there will always be someone or something to help us.
By Clémence Carrizey