Writing this book has made me realise that this is just the beginning. I don’t know how long I have on this earth, but I can promise you one thing: I’m going to make every day count. I want to travel the world and watch the Knicks play in New York, see a show at Caesars Palace in Vegas, try out surfing in Hawaii and go to the Paralympics to cheer on my peers. I want to learn how big charities become global and I want to beat KSI at FIFA. I want to have new experiences and help change the way people view disability everywhere. My illness gave me the ability to understand and help others, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do. Life may have dealt me a challenging hand, but I’m not ready to fold yet. I’m proud of my disability and, for the first time in my life, I finally feel like I’m living.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY a special thank you to my mum, Emma Hine, and my sisters Chloe and Jessica. Their lives changed forever the day I was diagnosed with a brain tumour, but instead of feeling sorry for me or themselves, they helped me to fight, and encouraged me to follow my dreams. They sat for hours and hours during the process of writing this book, helping me to remember things. I couldn’t have done it without them.
Special thanks also go to the Sophie Hicks Agency and Bonnier Publishing for believing in me and giving me this opportunity to share my story with the world. I was a big gamble, as I can’t read or write very well; but with the help of the amazing Charlotte Abrahams, I’ve done it. Charlotte sat on the end of a Skype call or phone and listened to my voice memos for so many hours I lost count; she was brilliant at rearranging our meetings at short notice around my seizures, and always noticing when I was tired and needed to stop. It must have been challenging working with me and around my illness, but she did, and it’s meant that my book has become a reality.
In addition, I would like to thank the following people for their valued contribution to my book: Nan and Grandad Bicheno, Uncle Richard, Mike, Stephen, Alan and Auntie Marie, Callum Austin, Saffron Barnes and Izzy Colville, Elton John, Kid Ink, Tha Alumni Clothing, Nick Grimshaw, KSI, Jennie Jacques, BBC Breakfast, Radio 1 and O2.
I would also like to thank the following who have helped me on my journey. Without them, I wouldn’t be here to write my book:
Great Ormond Street Hospital
Dr Varadkar
Emma Ninnis
Queen Alexandra Hospital Portsmouth
Southampton General Hospital, especially children’s neurosurgery
Mr Sparrow
Dr Whitney
Chrissy Ward
Mandy, Kate, Shona and the amazing team at children’s neuro
My healthcare workers, especially Matt Stevens
Roslyn Ferguson
Solent Mobility Centre
Tech21
Mark Smith and The Car Finance Company
ActionCOACH
Giant Leap Photography
Manic Stage Productions
Hotel Chocolat
The Digital Awards
Young Epilepsy
Philip Haynes
Leon Legge
Marks and Spencer
No Isolation and the AV1
CBBC
Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth Guildhall
Poken
Medtronic Foundation
Audrey, Jacob and team
O2 and Mark Evans for believing in me, the amazing GoThinkBig team – Bill, Tracey, Kerry, Craig, Alex and Lilly – and the gang at the Think Big Hub
Ajit Sharma, Elliott Lenton, Chris Buggie and Adrian Cunliffe from O2 Wifi for helping me meet Kid Ink
Gary Lockwood and 24/7 Fitness for supporting Friend Finder and always being there for me.
And finally, thanks to everyone who has attended a Friend Finder event. We couldn’t have done it without you!
I was 17 months old when I had brain surgery to remove a tumour – I call this scar my shark bite!
You can just see the drain coming out of my brain. My mum never left my side in hospital.
Surgery probably saved my life, but it’s hard looking at someone so young in bandages.
Me and Mum fundraising at the Mini Great South Run. I think I make a cool Superman (lol).
Having my seizures monitored in Southampton General Hospital around the time that my epilepsy started.
The Friend Finder Official logo.
The Friend Finder team. From left to right: Eden, Billy, Jasmine, Eddie, Jess, Hannah, me, George and Callum on the floor.
Me and Nick Grimshaw on stage at Wembley in front of 10,000 screaming teenagers – one of the best moments of my life!
Appearing on the BBC Breakfast sofa to talk about Friend Finder was a crazy experience. Everyone was really lovely.
What can I say? The man himself, Kid Ink, with Jess (left), me and Chloe.
With Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills, who’s wearing a Friend Finder wristband, backstage at Wembley. How cool is that!
Talking live on Nick Grimshaw’s Radio 1 show. Nick’s making me laugh!
Me and Mum at the Digital Leaders 100 Awards dinner where Friend Finder won Mobile Innovation of the Year.
Prince William was very kind and inspiring when I met him with the other Radio 1 Teen Heroes at Kensington Palace.
At the palace with William and Kate, Radio 1 DJs and my fellow finalists. What a photo!
An image from an epilepsy awareness campaign for Young Epilepsy and River Island. I felt privileged to do it.
With my new stormtrooper friend at the Royal Albert Hall for the Star Wars premiere. I felt like a celebrity on the red carpet.