Within the small, rural community where I spent the first years of my life, you could say that I was something of a black sheep. I simply didn’t fit the mould. I still don’t conform to the status quo, but now this is seen as something that gives me an edge, makes me stand out from the crowd. This is something that will never cease to amaze me: what used to be cause for sneers and side-eyes is now considered ‘inspiring’.