Lois' Year At RADA
I would never have believed I would get the chance to study acting at RADA - it's an amazing, world famous school, where some of the greatest actors of the stage and screen have trained. It's a dream come true and one I thought could never happen...
A bit about me
This is me in 2008. I had just had my first round of major reconstructive surgery to rebuild my face after an infection called necrotising fasciitis ate through the soft tissues and bones. I was very ill. In fact, over the last eight years,
I have needed five major reconstructions and countless minor surguries; I died twice in theatre; I've needed lung drainage, speech therapy, physiotherapy, respiratory physio; I've had thyroid disease and been diagnosed with a squamous sarcoma (type of early stage cancer). I lost my employment, my home, and I felt for a time that I would never have a normal or meaningful life again.
Recovery has been a real challenge.
A Bright Light for My Future...
Luckily for me, I have amazing friends and family who cared for me when I couldn't care for myself. They've housed me, fed me, got me to and from hospital, done my shopping and chores, and even paid my bills.
In 2015 one friend did something truly unexpected...
I've always loved acting and performing, and over the years have even done a bit professionally on stage and tv. Knowing this, and knowing getting my speech and singing back has been very hard, this friend booked me into a Voice Masterclass at RADA. It's changed my life.
I've now been accepted onto several acting courses at the school, and I am even applying to do an MA there part-time. It feels like a happy ending and a whole new start. I still feel amazed and humbled this incredible school are willing to help me develop and improve.
I feel alive again.
HERE'S WHERE YOU CAN HELP
I am able to work again now, but I'm starting again with nothing and I need financial support to cover the costs of the courses, and also towards travel, books and general living. Can you donate anything at all? Although the costs for a year may seem high, every small sum matters and makes a difference to me: £8 gets me a one-way rail ticket to get to school; £3 buys a secondhand book or £10-15 a new book; £5 will feed me for the day; £15 gets me a bed in a safe hostel close to the school (I'm currently applying for housing as a homeless person on the Isle of Wight where my family live and are looking after me); £32.80 pays for my prescription medication costs for a month!
I am so grateful for anything you can do to help me. I shall make sure I post pictures and videos over the year and if there's anything my donors would like to see me read/act/sing over the year please let me know and I'll do my very best.
With huge thanks and lots of love
Lois xxxx
