Dominique Nicholls

Dominique developed an illness known as 'Reactive Depression' after a traumatic experience as a child. Her illness peaked in her early twenties. Dominique describes how this affected her. "I felt at the bottom of a pit of despair, I could see no way up. I turned to self harm as a way of coping. Then I discovered running. When I am in emotional pain, I thrash it out on the hills maybe this is a new form of self harm?! I see it as healthy therapy, running helps me cope with an illness that will never leave me." Dominique now works as a carer within the Methodist Home, Stratton, Swindon. She cares for people within the home, suffering with Dementia. She has taken her NVQ2 in Health and Social Care and is currently working towards a Level 3 diploma. Dominique will run the 2012 London Marathon, for the Alzheimer's Society.