"When I was 8 years old I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), I didn't leave the house for 3 months out of pure fear. There are few people that believe that one moment can change your life. But after two minutes of walking around Minsmere, something in my head just clicked. I wasn't afraid anymore, I felt completely at peace for the first time in a long time. And I realised that I do have a place where I belong.
It doesn't matter how busy the reserve is either, there's always your own space at Minsmere.
I honestly don't know how or where I would be if I wasn't taken to Minsmere when I was. One day at RSPB Minsmere changed my life forever and I want everyone to know that no matter why you come to Minsmere, whether it's for birdwatching, botany, picturesque views, volunteering or even just for the cheese scones, there is something here for you."
Today is an incredible special guest blog from our volunteer Jamie!
The Reserve That Saved Me- By Jamie Everett
"My name is Jamie Everett, I have a mental disorder and this is my story.
When I was 8 years old I was diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), suffering from OCD at such a young age was incredibly challenging. It made fitting in at school pretty much impossible and that constent feeling of not being 'normal' never left my mind. As years went on my mental state deteriorated and my condition had fully overtaken me, as I was controlled by 'rituals'. I had to wash my hands for 12 hours non-stop. Can you imagine going to your bathroom sink and stand there for that long? Now I look back at it I can see how ridiculous that sounds, however at the time I had no choice and this made me not leave the house for 3 months out of pure fear.
There are few people that believe that one moment can change your life and I wasn't one of them until my mum dragged me out of the house, I didn't know where we were going but there was still this increasing fear of being outside for no apparent reason. An hour later we pulled up at RSPB Minsmere, my mum is not a birder and she had never been to the reserve before, however for me, everything changed. After two minutes of walking around Minsmere, something in my head just clicked. To this day I will never truly be able to explain it but I wasn't afraid anymore, I felt completely at peace for the first time in a long time. As I started to discover this new world more, I came in contact with the spectacular wildlife Minsmere has to offer.
Seeing my first marsh harrier was an experience I will never forget, watching a prestine male gliding effortlessly over the reedbed, not a feather out of place. It was moments like this which make me realise that I do have a place where I belong. This was also where my obsession with birds began. There is an indescribable magic about RSPB Minsmere, which only visitors, volunteers and staff understand. The place just gives you a special feeling no matter how many times you visit. It doesn't matter how busy the reserve is either, there's always your own space at Minsmere which belongs to you and the more you visit, the more you discover favourite spots on the reserve. My favourite spot is on top of Whin Hill because of the stunning view and it is very peaceful watching the wildlife below.
Now I'm 18 and proud to say that I'm a volunteer at RSPB Minsmere. Initially I applied to be a guide. As a visitor the guides were incredibly knowledgeable and told great stories. So naturally I wanted to be one of them. Now I am a guide, I can honestly say that I am still trying to be as knowledgeable as RSPB Visitor Experience Officer Ian Barthorpe and RSPB Guide Mick Muttit. A second opportunity occurred when RSPB Warden Katie Fairhurst gave me the chance to work with the wardening team. Habitat management work is very interesting; I am always learning something new and get to see parts of the reserve which are normally off limits. However I have the utmost respect for the wardening team, the amount of work that goes into keeping RSPB Minsmere, Dingle Marshes and North Warren. The way they are for the wildlife that calls these places home and the visitors that get to view it all is truly staggering.
The goal for the future is to keep working hard and hopefully get a job with the RSPB. Maybe if I'm really lucky, one day I will have a job at RSPB Minsmere.
I'm sure many people would ask me the same question. 'Why would you tell your story to the world?' Well I've gone from telling no one my story, to telling anyone who reads this because I honestly don't know how or where I would be if I wasn't taken to Minsmere when I was. One day at RSPB Minsmere changed my life forever and I want everyone to know that no matter why you come to Minsmere, whether it's for birdwatching, botany, picturesque views, volunteering or even just for the cheese scones, there is something here for you."
Brilliant! Great post Jamie. Look forward to seeing you and many other good people at Minsmere. :-)>