𝗥𝗮𝗲

As soon as I met Rae, we instantly clicked. She is without a doubt, one of the most inspiring people I have ever met; not only has she overcome, but has thrived in the face of such adversity. Rae was diagnosed as autistic at 17, and now (aged 30) works as a chef at the world renowned Betty’s Tea Rooms in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. She married her wife 2 years ago, after forming their relationship as teenagers at age 16. Both Rae and her wife are approved foster carers, and have now decided to start their own family through IVF treatment. As a child, like many female autistics, Rae was incorrectly diagnosed as ADHD at age 7 and then bipolar at 15, which only leads to misunderstanding within educational systems. Rae’s father was a very well regarded police officer in Harrogate, however when she was 15 years old, he was tragically killed whilst on duty. Despite this tragedy at such a young age, along with her misdiagnosis’s, Rae is an extremely bubbly, hilarious and empathetic person, and above all else, she is selflessly kind. I am so honoured that myself and Rae have formed a close friendship, of which I’m sure will last a lifetime.