Many of you know me as Dr Ranjot Bhogal, a Counselling Psychologist who spends my days helping others navigate the complexities of life. But today, I want to take off my professional hat and share a more personal story – a story about the unseen battle I fight every day: living with a chronic illness and the shadows it can cast.

Ranjot grew up with the all-too-common conditioning that, as a South Asian woman, she should serve others - no matter the cost to her mental and physical health. Ranjot often felt like she was not good enough because the culture made boys seem more important and capable. She was constantly sick as a child, needing regular time off school – it was assumed she would not amount to anything in life. At the age of 16, Ranjot was diagnosed with chronic Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) and labelled the “sick” one. Suddenly, she became fearful of the future – who will marry damaged goods? What will other people think? Thoughts no 16-year old should have.