I’m used to spending my life solving problems, it’s the way I find peace. Dealing with a disability means I am different and means others are working with someone with difference.

External influences (how others interact with me) impact on how I deal with certain situations, often creating anxiety where it doesn't need to happen. I am tired of my mental disability having to be the silent undercurrent all the time.

It is important disability is put on the world map, but it also needs to stay there as part of the norm, of society. There needs to be acceptance. People talk a lot about the fact they're okay with working with people of difference, but their words don't replicate their behaviour.

People's responses to us need to be positive. Taking issue with the fact that we have to work with difference, shouldn't be an issue. This is still very much a people's issue. Disabled people need to be treated in the same way as able bodied.