My name is Lisa Connell, I was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour at the age of 26, being told I may never walk again or ever have children of my own.

Since being diagnosed in 2006, I have helped to raise awareness of brain tumours through various means by telling my own personal story in hope that it would help others in similar situations. 

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15 years on... I'm walking, all be it a little unsteady on my feet but I now have an amazing fiancé who has been my rock, two beautiful step children and... my very own miracle child, Ruby Margaret Christine Forster born on 18/03/2016.

I've had surgery to attempt to de-bulk my tumour to allow for a second lot of radiotherapy (2012) which has thankfully since stayed stable.

The repercussions of my radiotherapy spurned on even more problems which worsened from a road incident. It's what's known as 'hemifacial spasms so lockdown really hasn't helped as I have been suffering greatly with anxiety. 

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I know what I NEED to do to get back on track. I've done it before so as they say "you can do it again". 

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I am or was once a very strong confident person, so no matter what life through at me I managed to deal with it head on and in turn helped support others.

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Just lately, I have set up my own Hemifacial Support Group through facebook to not only to find support for myself, but hopefully in documenting my story I in turn can help others.

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I will get through this. Ive done it once before, so I CAN do it again... Follow me through social media and share as much as you can as often as you can. If my story to date has already helped others this one may do too.

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"if you set your mind to it, you can do anything."

"your mind is a powerful thing. when you fill it with positive thoughts, your life will start to change."

In all the years, and through everything i and we as have a family have been through, I have never opened up to anyone. Not just about the way I feel. Not about what's eating me up inside. Not even about living and coping with a brain tumour. I just put on a brave face.

I have been very lucky to have received support through a phycologist over  lockdown and if it wasn't for her, I would not have been able to post as I have. It's time I dealt with my fears head on and showed others as I did before 'if I can do it, they can too'.