Unfortunately, I'm not very good at "Telling my story" - so instead I'll explain a little about the event and how I happened to get involved etc.

I came across the event via a friend on Facebook who happens to live in Ipswich.  Being overdue a catchup I asked my friend if she would like to team up.  She was already booked in to the event with her work colleagues on the Sunday, but suggested I sign up for the Saturday and then meet up for dinner afterwards.

I've never really been involved in any charity work before, as I suffer from ASD (High Functioning), OCD & Aspergers, many "events" are way out of my comfort-zone.  In this particular instance however, the idea of giving ziplining a go "seemed cool" and meeting my friend afterwards makes it more comfortable for me too.

Many of my friends, in fact I think all apart from 3 perhaps, don't know about my more recent diagnosis.  I was diagnosed as an adult about a year and half ago. There was a lot to process, and a lot I still have to deal with. This of course changes here and now as they (maybe) read this.

Having dealt with the stigma surrounding Mental Health (general public perceptions) and the problems within the NHS itself that I've dealt with, I'm glad to see that recently there have been more and more pushes to bring mental health to the forefront of topics to be made less taboo, and eliminating the stigma involved.

The biggest problem with Mental Health issues I feel, is the typical stigma that goes along with "Invisible Disabilities".  Just because I have no physically visible symptoms and manage a night out once in a blue moon, does NOT mean I am not disabled.

A particular "movement" as of late came to my attention, due to two TV celebs (Chris Wood and Melissa Benoist) supporting it and so it caught my attention as I was browsing Instagram.  Having looked at the site I personally feel it is a compelling movement.  The site can be found here: 

http://www.idontmind.com/

So, I have decided that I would like to raise money to help the research and the wards dealing with Mental Health.  The event has a minimum target of £150.  I would of course love to get over this amount, and if I did, I would split the money with the Oncology wards as Cancer is a very close subject to my mum’s heart and she supports many cancer charities.

Just for fun, I am thinking of doing the event (and thus spending the day) dressed in a Superman Costume.

The charity event details can be found at this URL:

http://www.ipswichhospitalcharity.co.uk/zipline/