For over 30 years I have read the Guardian. It started when an ex-partner used to spend hours doing the crossword, and I would read the paper, becoming absorbed in the breadth of topics and astute insights of the journalists. At this time I was an NHS manager who swam for an hour every morning before work, and who spent all her weekends hill-walking and her holidays trekking. Wherever I was, I always got the Guardian. I have climbed Kilimanjaro, trekked towards Everest basecamp, walked across the Mont Blanc circuit, across the Israeli desert and other areas in Nepal, where I also undertook voluntary work in a Children’s Rescue shelter.
Everything changed within two weeks of my retirement, when I unexpectedly became disabled. I created a new life for myself, doing things central to my values, but possible within my limitations.
Having been a vegetarian for the previous 28 years, I became vegan nearly six years ago. I wish that I had become vegan much earlier, but am greatly heartened by the number of young vegans, who are our future. A future that might, therefore, be kinder to animals.
