"I also think that if you're positive, more people are likely to help you when you need help. Because they think, Oh, I'm having somebody who's benefiting from this, you know? Oh, yes. They don't want to come and see an old lady. She sits in her chair and wounds all the time."

Annette Smith nee Julien was born in Dec 1927 on the small Caribbean Island of Grenada into a privileged family. She was educated in Trinidad and returned to Grenada where she completed a year of Nursing before embarking on her journey to England aged just 18. She travelled completely alone and this was her first trip abroad.

In 1946,post the 2nd world war, Annette became the only black nurse at the Guildford Royal Surrey Hospital. She married a Londoner and had three children before returning to her nursing profession as a community nurse. She has many interests including Poetry, singing, the Arts, Sport and continues to be a positive member of the community.

In case you are wondering, Annette had Bells Palsy in her 50's which affected her face. This has not affected her attitude towards life.

Bell's palsy is a condition that causes sudden weakness in the muscles on one side of the face. In most cases, the weakness is temporary and significantly improves over weeks. The weakness makes half of the face appear to droop. Smiles are one-sided, and the eye on the affected side resists closing

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