My dream had always been to be an actress but very few people believed it would ever come true. Mum and I saw an advert inviting people with Downs Syndrome to audition for a place with Kaleidoscope Theatre (an integrated theatre group where a core group of people lived and worked together).

I went to the audition and I was invited back for another audition and then another and another… I was then offered a place ‘on probation’. I literally left school at 16, left home and joined the company to perform at the Edinburgh Film Festival! I passed and being an actor became my life for 25 years.

Always fight for your dreams but you need to remember it means you have to put in the work too to make it a reality.

Life as an actor was amazing but it was also very hard work. It requires dedication, commitment and a willingness to learn and improve every day.

It was not about me as an individual but what I could contribute to the whole thing. Most importantly it was about team work.

Being an actor is not about being in the limelight, it is about being part of a team which creates the light to allow everyone to shine and for an audience to feel lifted by each experience.

The company appeared all over the UK performing unique performances to packed audiences. The company also travelled to Japan, Hungary and Jersey for special events and performances. Venues included the Jersey Opera House, the RSC Swan Theatre in Stratford, many National Trust properties and many performances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

We also appeared in the Films Shooting Fish and Titanic Town alongside actors such as Kate Beckinsdale, Julie Walters, Dan Futterman and Stuart Townsend.

For bigger performances the company were joined by many famous actors including, David Bradley. Richard Stilgoe, Peter Skellern and Alan Titchmarsh.

Patrons included Dame Judy Dench, Wendy Craig and Peter Davidson.

A lot of time was also spent performing cameos across England and Wales and we could be seen at many fairs and festivals.