One sentence that transformed my life
Lucy Watts was told in her mid-teens that she was going to die early. Her original prognosis was that she wouldn’t see her 18th birthday. Yet she did. Then came her next prognosis: that she wouldn’t live to her early twenties. In October 2019, a few days after her 26th birthday, Lucy delivered her TEDxNHS talk. And she’s determined that she’s still got a lot of living to do. Resolving to make an impact on the world around her, Lucy has found her purpose as a prominent patient advocate and disability advocate. Through sharing her roller coaster experience of highs, lows and everything in between, Lucy speaks of the importance of talking to every patient about what quality of life means to them. Of personalising care and building it around, not just needs, but desired outcomes, goals and aspirations. We may not be able to change the end result, but together, we can improve the journey. Lucy is a young adult with a life limiting condition who has exceeded every prognosis given. She is a prominent patient advocate and disability activist. Lucy works closely with the NHS to improve patient experience as well as internationally to improve access to palliative care. She received an MBE in the 2016 New Year’s Honours at the tender age of 22 in recognition for her work. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community