WHEN Caitlin Lynch was just 14-years-old, she was told by doctors that if she didn’t receive help for her anorexia nervosa, she’d be dead within weeks. The hidden illness plagued the Castlederg teenager’s mind all day, every day for two years: She struggled to get dressed, isolated herself from her friends, and fought with her own body as she avoided meals which she so desperately needed to survive. By this stage, the eating disorder had Caitlin firmly in its grip and as she was mercilessly under its control, she became thinner and thinner, while being tortured with thoughts that she was fat, worthless and undeserving of food. Advertisement As Caitlin’s condition – which doctors diagnosed her with last year – was so severe, she found herself in Beechcroft Hospital, Belfast as an inpatient, where she stayed for six months and received the vital treatment which saved her life. Fast-forward to the present, and the 15-year-old has made a … [Read more...] about ‘I’m grateful for getting a second chance at life’
What will i look like when im older
What I’m Really Thinking …my annoying sister
It was hard going when she was born. She had some heart thing and there was a big drama and she needed surgery. Mum had to go up to Dublin with her and she was gone for two weeks. That was pretty stressful, just having Dad here. He's not a good cook. We ate lots of toast. When Mum came back she brought my sister, but because of the surgery, we had to be extra careful with her. So, even though I was eight, older than she is now, I wasn't allowed to hold her or anything for ages. To be honest, I kind of lost interest after a while. Mum was always fussing after her, so even though Mum was back home, it wasn't like I got much more time with her. Or at least not much time without my little sister being there. She cried a lot. She still does. I think my parents spoiled her when she was small. It's like she never had to do anything, but give a small squeak and they'd come running. Nothing was too much trouble for her. When I'm feeling charitable, I do accept that she was a surprise addition, … [Read more...] about What I’m Really Thinking …my annoying sister
Why I’m pleased that Dominic Raab isn’t a feminist
Kate Andrews 30 May 2019 12:52 PM 30 May 2019 12:52 PM Share Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Email Whatsapp Dominic Raab is not a feminist. That is the confession the Tory leadership hopeful makes in an interview in this week’s Spectator. Screams, gasps and 240 character rants have swept the internet since. Who in their right mind would reject the notion of treating men and women equally? Of course, Raab didn’t do that. He describes himself as “someone who is passionate about equality and wants a fairer society.” What Raab rejects is the term itself: feminism. And Raab is not alone. In fact, his position represents the vast majority of women in the UK. Most women don’t identify as feminists. Young women, older women, and especially women in lower income brackets actively reject the term. In a study carried out by the Fawcett Society last year, only 18 per cent of women aged 18-25 identified as feminist; and support went … [Read more...] about Why I’m pleased that Dominic Raab isn’t a feminist
‘I would say I’m a ten, but not in a cocky way’
Lucie Donlan (21), surfer, NewquayWhat makes you the perfect Love Islander?I stand out and I’m different to the usual girls that might go on the show. I’m more into sports as well as being glam. I can do both, which makes me stand out compared to other girls. I’m more of a guy’s girl than a girl’s girl. I’ve got a lot of friends that are into riding bikes. I get on with those girls who are bit more tomboy-ish. I get on fine with girls, I just don’t like hanging out with girly girls too much. I like hanging out with guys because they’re into the same type of sports…. less drama really. What are your three best and worst personality traits?I’m always late for everything! I can cut boys off very quickly, that’s pretty bad I’d say. If they really like me, I can be like ‘Whatever, bye.’ I can switch off really quickly. It’s the same with friends as well, I can do exactly the same. But I’m very … [Read more...] about ‘I would say I’m a ten, but not in a cocky way’
‘I’m a useless sack of sh*t.’ Homelessness, hopelessness and me
I’d been about 10 months homeless on that shuddering morning in February 2018, making my habitual way to the bus station. It was a good spot for feeding the pigeons. While traversing the city to get there, I received a call from my night shelter to tell me that I had been selected for a “step-up” in the homeless system. I was being transferred in just two hours to an STA hostel (or supported temporary accommodation), which allows you to stay on the premises all day. For me, this equated to an end to the unpredictability and destabilising chaos of day-to-day life in the night shelter system. It also signalled an end to the insomnia-induced days looking for ways to pass the time around the city before the hostel reopened in the evening. I was elated at the news. Clinging to the edge of sanityConditions had become unbearable in the night shelter. Life in there had brutalised many and every evening it was sometimes shouted, sometimes whispered, but always furiously … [Read more...] about ‘I’m a useless sack of sh*t.’ Homelessness, hopelessness and me