The Stranger

Arthritis makes me do things I'd rather I didn't.

I'm at university now. Everything is new and scary and I am struggling a bit. Some things have gone wrong in my personal life as well. I have had to go and talk to my tutor about the problems I am having. This is something I would rather not do.

I have always been the person who sat quietly in the corner, and always did well. It was always a surprise too. I never really spoke or joined in, I just did and learned and got on and became known as Clever. I like that. I know that can't carry on, and work steps up a notch at university. But now I am different. I am the girl who goes and makes excuses for why things aren't good enough.

I hate that I have to be that person.