Getting to know me…

Diagnosed in my fifties with both autism and ADHD (AuDHD) following a personal crisis, I was driven to explore and better understand neurodiversity - particularly its presentation in women, its connection to menopause, and its profound influence on mental health. This journey of self-discovery has been both illuminating and challenging, shedding light on decades of masking, misunderstanding, and exhaustion. It also gave context to the struggles I had faced as a mother of three, a wife for almost thirty years, and a leader within a demanding business environment.

Balancing family life, relocating between countries and cities, and managing the pressures of running a company often came at a cost to my wellbeing. The combination of AuDHD, relentless responsibility, and societal expectations led to periods of deep mental health crises and emotional burnout. These experiences, though painful, ultimately became catalysts for change - forcing me to reassess my priorities, embrace authenticity, and cultivate greater compassion for myself and others

Before my creative career, I served as a Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force, managing global logistics for rotary spares during international conflicts. Fluent in French and German, I also served as interpreter for the Austrian Chief of Defence Staff at the Western European Union Conference. Sponsored by the RAF while still a teenager, I learned to fly solo at eighteen, during an era when women were only just beginning to gain equal opportunities.

For nearly thirty years, I have managed an international family business supplying air filtration, spraying equipment, and surface treatment chemicals to both individuals and leading brands across industries. Operating in a traditionally male-dominated sector, I have successfully navigated major challenges such as Brexit and the Covid pandemic, expanding into new ventures while adapting to ever-changing markets. Leading the company through these uncertain times whilst managing, understanding, and explaining neurodivergent challenges along the way has been both humbling and transformative.

Like anyone, my life has been marked by triumphs and setbacks, but my AuDHD diagnosis allowed me to reinterpret them through a lens of understanding rather than self-criticism. I draw deeply on these experiences within my creative and professional work, striving to inform, encourage, and inspire others to embrace their own complexities, to speak their truths, and to find strength in vulnerability.

Creative Experiences

As a poet and visual artist, I have performed and spoken at major events including the National Neurodiversity Shows, credible book and writing festivals, and the Royal Festival Hall. My poems have been shortlisted for the Hammond House International Literary Prize, featured in Beyond the Spectrum and Shine magazines, and published by Bad Betty Press and Hammond House. My art and photography have been exhibited widely and have received several awards, including recognition from the Daily Mail and the North & East Midlands Photographic Federation.

In addition to speaking events, I have appeared as a guest on podcasts (available on YouTube and Spotify) and featured on television and