Jade Sempare, 31, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 13
Gardening tools
I have set up my own gardening project in Canning Town Caravanserai. I want to help people have a more simple life through gardening. I spoke to the participants about growing plants and challenging them about how it makes them feel, knowing that when you see something grow it builds your self esteem.
John Waterhouse, 77, was diagnosed with blood cancer in January 2013
A special photograph
I was born at the wrong time – 1937. I don’t remember seeing my father until I was eight years of age. It wasn’t a normal upbringing because my mother was in hospital. She had TB. She died at 32. I was nine. When my Dad came back he was like a stranger because I had not seen him at all really. I remember he came in, he gave us a little jar of sweets and went down the pub. I still remember that day. I didn’t know what sweets was in those days – everything was rationed.
Viviane Fatimani, 29, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in December 2009
A song written for me
My boyfriend wrote me a song when I was on my gap year. It is the best present I ever got. We went to see him play in a bar and he played this song to me. Everyone was like ‘Oh my goodness!’ I said: ‘It is a song about friendship – you don’t understand it, he understands me! I understand him too, this is a friendship song.’ But really, I was in denial about our relationship. I met with my boyfriend before I got diagnosed with MS. He is really supportive, very understanding.
Everlasting Lives by Eléonore de Bonneval is at St Joseph’s Hospice, Mare Street, E8 4SA until 16 January.
www.edebonneval.co.uk
Twitter/Instagram: @edebonneval
