This is the third and final post in my series of influential moments. The four key influences of 2012 were;
- 20th birthday.
This might sound like a stupid one as there is nothing special at all about turning 20 except that your not a teenager any more, but for me, it was so much more than that. After turning 20, I was given the freedom that I wished I'd been given at 18 and the first time that happened, was the weekend of my birthday when I was allowed to go away to London with my best friend for a weekend. We had wanted to do this since we were 16 and hadn't been allowed to stay overnight, so this was a big step for me.
- Performing life.
My performing life took a turn for the better. I joined another musical theatre society called Coventry Musical Theatre Society (CMTS) and did a production with them which was great, but I left shortly after. I also got my first part in a YOG show. It was a small part - Curly, the leader of The Lost Boys in Peter Pan - but it improved my acting skills and confidence, plus it made me get close to two people who I now consider very close friends. I went on to do another show with YOG - my 5th and final show - which was a variety performance in which I landed my first ever solo, something I thought I would never achieve during my time with them. It was terrifying for me as I was the oldest member of YOG so to finally be given a chance to prove myself was scary. I was under so much pressure to be good because I was the oldest member and it boosted my confidence a lot. I didn't know it would be my last YOG show until the first night of the variety show, which is the night I got the phone call offering me a job with the holiday park company that I went on to work for this year.
- Lanzarote holiday.
In June of 2012, I went abroad for the first time in years. It was a fantastic holiday until it all went wrong. I ended up with severe gastroenteritis and dangerous levels of dehydration. I was hospitalized over there and was told that the reason it was affecting my body so badly was because I was so thin, as I was underweight at this time and at the worst point in my eating disorder. I've never been so scared in all my life. For starters, I was petrified of doctors and hospitals anyway but I wasn't even allowed anyone to come in with me because I was over the age of 18. I had to have injections, blood tests, drips - all things that I was scared of. I've never been in that much pain, felt that ill or believed I was that close to dying. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. It was a horrible time of my life, but it pushed me to change. I got over my fear of doctors, hospitals, injections, blood tests and drips because without them, I might not be here writing this today. Before, a routine blood pressure check up at the doctors would have caused me a panic attack and now I'm not phased. As for the eating disorder, that scare was the kick that I needed to start recovery, and I'm so glad that I did. Being thin is great, but being healthy is better and if you can find a happy medium between the two without an eating disorder eating away at your mind, then you're laughing.
In June of 2012, I went abroad for the first time in years. It was a fantastic holiday until it all went wrong. I ended up with severe gastroenteritis and dangerous levels of dehydration. I was hospitalized over there and was told that the reason it was affecting my body so badly was because I was so thin, as I was underweight at this time and at the worst point in my eating disorder. I've never been so scared in all my life. For starters, I was petrified of doctors and hospitals anyway but I wasn't even allowed anyone to come in with me because I was over the age of 18. I had to have injections, blood tests, drips - all things that I was scared of. I've never been in that much pain, felt that ill or believed I was that close to dying. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. It was a horrible time of my life, but it pushed me to change. I got over my fear of doctors, hospitals, injections, blood tests and drips because without them, I might not be here writing this today. Before, a routine blood pressure check up at the doctors would have caused me a panic attack and now I'm not phased. As for the eating disorder, that scare was the kick that I needed to start recovery, and I'm so glad that I did. Being thin is great, but being healthy is better and if you can find a happy medium between the two without an eating disorder eating away at your mind, then you're laughing.
- Puppy, Cookie.
When I was younger, we had a dog - a Cocker Spaniel called Brandy. We had to have him put to sleep on 30th November 2005 (a few days after my 13th birthday) due to him being ill. My parents swore that we could never have another dog, but when my uncle's dog had a little of pups in January, we went to visit them. At just two days old, they were tiny, beautiful little things and I fell in love with one of the pups straight away - a dog that would later become my Cookie. I begged for weeks until my parents finally gave in, and at just 5 weeks old, we brought my puppy, Cookie, home to start his life with us. We haven't looked back since. He isn't a dog to us - he's one of the family. He's more like my child than my pet. I love him so much and my life wouldn't be the same without him.
Well, this was the last of my 'influences' posts but I'm sure I will do more in the future as the years go on and I get influenced by more things.
Clare
When I was younger, we had a dog - a Cocker Spaniel called Brandy. We had to have him put to sleep on 30th November 2005 (a few days after my 13th birthday) due to him being ill. My parents swore that we could never have another dog, but when my uncle's dog had a little of pups in January, we went to visit them. At just two days old, they were tiny, beautiful little things and I fell in love with one of the pups straight away - a dog that would later become my Cookie. I begged for weeks until my parents finally gave in, and at just 5 weeks old, we brought my puppy, Cookie, home to start his life with us. We haven't looked back since. He isn't a dog to us - he's one of the family. He's more like my child than my pet. I love him so much and my life wouldn't be the same without him.
Well, this was the last of my 'influences' posts but I'm sure I will do more in the future as the years go on and I get influenced by more things.
Clare
xxx
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