What do you do?
I am one of 12 screenwriters currently participating in Philip Shelley’s Channel 4 Screenwriting Course for 2023. The course is a six-month creative process which requires the completion of an original one-hour TV drama pilot script. I hope to work as a screenwriter full-time after completing the course.
What has been your greatest achievement?
Not to sound like a broken record, but earning a place on the screenwriting course at the end of 2022 was a massive deal for me. I had to send my CV and a script I had already written in order to apply. There were over 2,000 applicants, and only 12 writers were given a place, hence why it felt like such a milestone in my career.
What was your biggest challenge, and how did you overcome it?
In the wake of the pandemic, plus the typical struggles of everyday life, sustaining good mental health has been (and continues to be) a challenge for me. This is, of course, true for millions of people with or without a disability, and I overcome it by implementing daily/weekly/monthly methods and mood boosters. These include sticking to a routine, meditation, exercise, socialising, working towards my goals, making plans for the future and listening to music.
Who was your role model growing up?
Outside of family and friends, my role model was and still is Chris Martin, the frontman of Coldplay. The band’s music has soundtracked my entire life so far. Chris in particular is someone I find to be overwhelmingly talented. He is a beautiful human being and my best one-way friend. I had the chance to meet him in 2014, and that was one of my other greatest achievements in life so far.
What do you think would help more adults with CP achieve their ambitions?
I think knowing that you’re not the only one going through something, especially when that something feels so specific and inarticulable, is unspeakably powerful. Being shown what is possible is the gateway to a new reality, whether it’s art, science or personal journeys. A sense of perspective can change everything.