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Diane Shortland has ME and receives home visit support and uses direct payments

Who has influenced you the most?
My life coach has given me the courage to be myself.

What one thing would you change about care services in your area?
More flexibility of direct payments to cover all areas of daily living, not just personal care.

What one thing would make your life better?
Telepathy would cut out the daily struggle of communicating my needs and make socialising with friends much easier.

What three words best describe you?

Lost, manic, misunderstood.

What event most changed your life?
Becoming severely ill made me realise the only things that matter in life are being happy and having fun.

What is your favourite book?
Winnie the Pooh because all of the philosophies of life can be found inside.

If you won the lottery how would you spend it?
ME research into the hypothalamus and pituitary gland functioning.

What is your greatest achievement?

Finding the courage to make it downstairs after 12 weeks of bed-bound dizziness and debilitating fatigue.

Who would you like to swap places with?
My former healthy self so I could avoid stress and prevent becoming ill.

Who do you most admire?
My nan for still enjoying life at 91.

What is the most important lesson you have learned?
Life allows for no plans other than its own.