Annie’s Story

Annie Thompson

Annie is 38 and lives in Filton. She was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus - a condition which has meant that she has spent many painful and stressful weeks in hospital over the years.

Having the conditions has not stopped her from living an independent life and moving to her own flat in Filton.

This was a big move for Annie and she’s really chuffed that she achieved it because she knew she needed to be independent - it was vital for her to move on in life.

“I wouldn’t like to be a able-bodied person and suddenly have a stroke or something like that,” she says.

“Because you then know the best of both worlds which is not as easy as just knowing one world. I think that would be hard.”

Filton is a special place for Annie. She’s lived there all her life, the people of Filton have been very supportive and that’s why she’s stayed.

As Annie explains: “I see my life in Filton now as contented, I see people who say ‘hey it’s old Annie’ and I think that’s why it’s so nice.”

Further Info | Transcript | Credits

Further Info

Throughout June 2006, BBC Radio Bristol broadcast a series called Through My Eyes in partnership with CSV, featuring recordings of ordinary and extraordinary people who live and work in Bristol.

The sound was exhibited at Watershed and in local libraries, along with specially-commissioned photographs by students from Filton College.

Following the exhibition, the recordings and photographs were put together by Bristol Stories staff and made available on this site.

Thanks to Vikki Klein and Debra Hearne from BBC Radio Bristol.

Transcript

Annie’s Story

I’m Annie Thompson. I’m 38. I live in Filton and this is my story.

I’ve been born with Spina-bifida and Hydrocephalus. I’ve had it all through my life. I think having this disability has made me very determined because… because it’s had to.

If I didn’t get up and fight I’d be sat in a… sat down for the rest of my life.

When I moved to this flat in Filton I felt as though I’d achieved something. It felt as though I needed to progress: to become myself.

Filton has always been very special to me because I’ve lived around Filton all my life really. I’ve been in and out of hospital, oh, loads of times, and people have come to come and see if I’m alright after a long time in hospital. People have been really really supportive throughout my life in Filton. I think that’s why I like it so much.

I think people don’t understand about people’s disability and when people don’t talk to me as a person, or they go talking to whoever I’m with, I get really frustrated then, really… a little bit angry inside because… I feel that OK, I’m only a midget, OK I’m a midget with a very short memory but surely they should have the courtesy of asking me my question: if you’re going to talk about me then ask me the blasted question!

I feel in my life in Filton quite contented. There are always people who know me, over the phone or whatever: “Oh, it’s old Annie!” and I think that is what is so nice.

Credits

All photographs created by Anna Steven, used under copyright licence.

All sound recording not otherwise credited created by BBC Radio Bristol, used under Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 licence.