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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.”
Workshop details
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.