Comment - YearDot

I know its hard not to be at home when you have family members of you'r family with special needs i have 3 brothers with special needs. Its hard now i have moved out not to think about them and what they need but some times we have to be selfish and think of what is good for you'r self it is very hard but we have to do it now and again. good luck if you need any info i'm on facebook

ashley mcdonnell (345 days ago) Report Comment

I have just seen the footage on telly where you reached the end of your first term. You were still home sick and had just taken part in a drama production. I think you have probably changed a lot since then looking at the clips on this site.
I am 32 and still miss home when I'm away but doesn't that show that we have lovely families that we care about?
I thought you were a beautiful, clever, positive young lady and I hope you come to see that and your self confidence grows. You can do anything you want to and I wish you luck!

Nicky (345 days ago) Report Comment

I have just watched year dot on channel 4, I think personally the boarding school setting is very structured and the feeling you have is a normal feeling and I think you're very brave!
Charli x

Charli (345 days ago) Report Comment

First of all i would like to thank you for sharing your life story. As someone who has also experience chalehges, i would like to thank you once more coz you are an inspiration. The way you have managed to combine everything that was going on at home and still perform well at school is amazing and an example for us all. And i truly beleive that you will go from stregh to strengh and will become unstoppable in whatever you will do in your life. That does not mean that your life is going to be plane sailing but i beleive that you will overcome anything thrown your way. Because no problems will ever be bigger than you are. Thank you for being bold, courageous, and always daring dreaming big, may God bless you and have a fantastic journey that will lead you to reaching your dream. LIFE REQUIRES THE CONTENDER WHO SEES NO VIRTUE IN SURRENDER FROM THE CRADLE TO THE GRAVE THE HEART MUST PERSEVERE.

Alex (353 days ago) Report Comment

Hi Nicolette,
Have been ill and had some time off work in the last couple of days, which as caused me to watch some morning TV, which ?I would not normally do. Have to say the majority of it is pretty bad, but i have really enjoyed watching Year Dot and saw the programme today with you in. It seems that you have come a long way and things are going well for you - hope this is still the case. I was intrigued to see the coat of arms in the programme today above the door as you were going in to Felsted, which read "Garde ta foy'. As Foy is my surname, it caught my eye, do you know what it translates in to, by any chance? Would be good to hear from you.

Jackie Foy (353 days ago) Report Comment

Hiya Ellen, Thanks for getting in touch :) It means alot. I'm glad boarding for 7 years! Wow, i don't know if i could have done that! Just one year of it was hard enough..and god knows what this year will throw up for me..i guess after 7 years it must be nice to have a good group of mates there, and the community atmosphere of boardng would be really good..its so strange now being the top year of the school and still knowing so little about it all..i guess all you can do is try ^^..Again, thanks for getting in touch :) x x x

Nicolette Ester (360 days ago) Report Comment

I'v been bording for the last 7 years and enying it, Its beem hard work but enjoyable. Hope you are enjoying it too. Keep in touch

Ellen Frith

Ellen frith (362 days ago) Report Comment

hey, wow your duke of edinborough sounds tough, i am completeing my Baden Powel award for guides and have got to go on a residential trip for that. but i'm going on my own and i relly scared no-onbe will talk to me and ill hate it. got any adivice?
beth

Bethany (517 days ago) Report Comment

Hi nicolette

i just wanted to say Hi and that I really enjoyed watching the episode about you. You look like you're having fun at boarding school, and you seem to be settling in well :)

Christa (546 days ago) Report Comment

Hi Ellen,
Wow, the same people are still doing the exchange, but not John Star, but yes, i loved South Africa! I went with Kayleigh as well, i believe she was on your exchange? She came along as a youth worker :) It was an amazing experience, and i want to go over there again soon, to see everyone and also do some work over there, its such an inspirational, magical country!
I've just started my Gold D of E too, the school have a scheme here, so i'm making the most of it! Wish you the best of luck with it! Its just so strange to meet someone on here that knows people like Charl in South Africa! :)

Nicolette Ester (556 days ago) Report Comment

hi! I just watched you on tv and had a look on here. I did the same South Africa exchange when i was our age, 4 years ago. was an amazing experience. hopefully still the same people running it. shaarl, anna, john star?
all your goals are achievable so keep going! I used to love all my volunteering work and residential etc.. i'm just starting my DofE gold through work now. even though i work for bank and have all sorts of responsibilities there's still opportunities everywhere. well done on your journey so far! x

Ellen (556 days ago) Report Comment

Hi Brett,
Thanks for telling me about your experiences, its always nice to know how other people cope with this type of thing, and yes boarding school did seem scary at first and feeling 'the need to fit in' was a big part of it :) Lucky here everyone is so nice, so i've found it pretty easy to get into the swing of things. And thank you for your advise, i'm trying at the moment to find a load of things to do here that i can get stuck into. And i'm really enjoying it! So thank you :)

Nicolette Ester (556 days ago) Report Comment

Hi John, thank you for your support! I think its always important to have something to aim at in life, to make the most of things, you only live once you need to do something which will make you happy. Not just something which will make Other peple happy. Its nice to be able to do things for others, and live your life to make them pleased. But at the end of the day, all that people want you to do is be happy with who you are and what your doing. But theatre is a tough business, and taking a dramatic step of leaving uni can't just be looked at likely. You need to take time, don't be rash, because you may regret it. Make sure you fully look into your options, but if something is meant to happen, and is right for you, then it will..even if it may seem tricky at the time!..So don't be put off by hard situations!..Best of luck to you and everything you choose to do in the future :) x x x

Nicolette Ester (556 days ago) Report Comment

Hi there Nicolette, how are you ?

Just like you I also went to a boarding school, I battled to fit in in the begining. It took me over a year to feel like " I was one of them," but once in the boarding school way of life everything was great. I found that getting involved with as many activities as possible certainly does make the time fly by and a lot more enjoyable. Playing sports and team based programs build good friendships very fast.

You are very brave to do what your doing, best of luck.

Enjoy it

Cheers Brett

Brett (556 days ago) Report Comment

Thank you Nick and Gordon for your comments, its great to know i've got a good reception from everyone today! And it really encourages me to go on and achieve everything i can :) So thank you for your support, it really helps when things get more difficult, at home or at school :)

Nicolette Ester (556 days ago) Report Comment

Hi David,

Thank you for your support. I think this type of school, like Felsted, public or whatever you choose to call it can never be for everyone. I mean i'm lucky as i've had a chance to experience state schools for all my other education and although some people may see the state system as a bad thing but it really taught me alot about life and i wouldnt change it or regret it in anyway. But i think if people choose to go to these types of schools and pay for education then its up to them :) I mean i have to say the help they give you here is amazing and i love it! ..it suits me..but it wouldnt suit everyone. And i know some people are against it..but i've come here because i got a scholarship, so i have reduced fees, not because i have alot of money!! I think we just have to make the most of the education we do have, i mean its what you personally make of the help your given at school/college its not specifically whether its public or state provided..hope that answers your ques

Nicolette Ester (556 days ago) Report Comment

Hi Nicolette, I'd just like to say you are an inspiration for young people. You are young and beautiful and I admire you so much. I'm currently studying to become a chartered surveyour but have soon realised this isnt the path for me as I have recently come to terms with my sexuality and last night told my parents. I am considering dropping out of university and aiming to get into theatre work, is there any advice you could give? I have huge respect for your family, thanks so much, John Hilton.

John Hilton (556 days ago) Report Comment

I was glad to see you are starting to enjoy life at boarding school, after you spent so much time helping your Dad you deserve a chance to working towards what you want in life.

You looked and sounded really good in the play and seeing your beautiful face on tv has brightened me morning

Gordon (556 days ago) Report Comment

Hi Hayley,
Its great to see that other people can make the most of difficult situations, i know i always try to but its often very hard! I think what you do for your sister is wonderful, and putting yourself out to help her is obviously an amazing thing to do. And i know people can see a disability in the family as a really hard thing to deal with and in some ways 'bad' but its important to always think of the good things that come out of it for everyone..otherwise your going to get no where at all by dwelling on the bad things :) ..Positivity :P

Nicolette Ester (556 days ago) Report Comment

Hi Nicolette, I'm really in admiration of how you've handled your situation, you seem to have a very strong family bond, which I can imagine makes it quite difficult to leave. Felsted looks like an excellent place to study and I'm sure that it'll help you greatly in developing, maturing and giving you the chances in life that you deserve. The only advice that I can give you is to keep doing what your doing, all of life's difficulties have a way of making us stronger as people, and only by staying true to ourselves and those who love us will good things happen. Follow your dreams and never give up hope.
Best of luck for your future.
Nick

Nick (556 days ago) Report Comment

Hi Nicollette, both your achievements and levels of maturity in the way you deal with life's tribulations is an inspiration to us all so well done :)

I want to ask in short; how do you think your time at felsted will change your view of the privileged?
and will it alter your views of equality, and the
quality and quality of opportunities provided by state education for the less fortunate??
Many thanks

David Gottenburg (556 days ago) Report Comment

Thank you Calley and Joe :) It is always a boost to have such kind words from people to support me and if i can in some way inspire others then that is always amazing! Thank you x

Nicolette Ester (556 days ago) Report Comment

hi, i think your a wonderful inspiration to other young girls who like you have a disabled family member. my younger sister is mentally disabled rather than physically but i know how hard it is to come to turns with and then deal with. but you always come through it because there is no other choice. in some ways as well as making you more mature it also gives you a greater understanding of the disibility itself and the many different ways of helping the individual with the disibilty. therefore i feel honoured in a way that ive had the opportunity to experience the effects on my sister firsthand and its helped shape me in to caring and knowledgable person i am today. also i feel that you are very brave to leave your family to go to boarding school because it takes courage and you still need your education and when you do visit your family it makes you appreciate them so much more and see things from a different prospective. so keep going and hold your head up high because your helping o

hayley (556 days ago) Report Comment

Hi Tim,
I would say to all young carers that there is always going to be someone out there who can help you, so never think you are alone, there will always be other people in the same boat as you even if it doesnt feel like it right now!
But i'd say get down to your local youth centre, youth workers are amazing people..and they aren't scary at all! So ask them about young carers groups, they will always be around and give out alot of good advise, and trips with other people for free that are in the same position as you!
Also, search around on the internet, i know theres alot of websites that provide help and support for young people :)

Nicolette Ester (556 days ago) Report Comment

Hi Nicolette, can you recommend anywhere for other young carers to go for advice or support?

Tim (556 days ago) Report Comment

it helps that your beautiful aswel! youve really inspired me.

joe (556 days ago) Report Comment

hiya Nicolette.
you are doing really well at Felsted. Just keep your head high and do the things that you love and enjoy the most. People would be stupid not to make friends with you. you are such a lovely person who would do anything for her friends.
keep strong and keep dreaming.
love you lots
xxx

Calley (556 days ago) Report Comment

Hi Joe, glad you enjoyed the show..and i hope that you get on well in your new job, guess my advise is to make the most of opportunities and put yourself out there.. :) But thank you for watching it!

Nicolette Ester (556 days ago) Report Comment

Thank you so much your comments, Felsted has been quite scary, but i have to say its getting alot better now, and i'm so happy there! I know in life things can seem hard, but at the end of the day you just have to get on with things because they will improve :) But thank you for all the encouragement! Means alot :)

Nicolette Ester (556 days ago) Report Comment

you story really made me confident in myself at my new job. I finally feel i can fit in. Thankyou!

joe (556 days ago) Report Comment

I think you are brilliant with your dad and you are following your heart with your career. You are very talented and have a lot of heart.

Nicole Locker (556 days ago) Report Comment

im watching dis programme its great hehe i think wat ur doing is gud i c u av made freinds now u av got freinds it will get better because u will av ppl to hang out with and ppl to be der 4u wen ur nt wid ur family ppl to make u laff keep it up its great x

roseanne (556 days ago) Report Comment

Hyia Nicollette i am watching you on channel four at the moment, and i would like to say i think what your doing is very brave of you... I no sometimes it can be hard to do things when u set off in the big world and having to leave your family behind must be very hard to and with your dad bein ill aswell must be a great strain... but i'd just like to say follow your dreams and what don't break you will make you....

katrina mullen (556 days ago) Report Comment