I was born in Croydon to 1st generation British parents. I was raised by my mother until the end of primary school, and then by my Jamaican maternal grandmother until the age of 18.
My mother and grandmother are my role models. Despite the challenges life has thrown at them, they have still managed to find a way to succeed and have played huge roles in my life. Making them proud is my way of thanking them for what they have endured.
My maternal grandparents migrated to the UK during the 1960s. My grandmother was a nurse, and my grandfather was a social worker whilst I was growing up. I spent my early years between England and Jamaica with my mother and grandmother, my native tongue was Jamaican Patois before starting primary school.
At a young age, due to my grandparents professions as well as enjoying science and sport in school, I wanted to be a PE or Science teacher if I did not make it in sport (I competed nationally in athletics and was crowned county champion in triple jump four times, most recently in 2019, and in high jump once).
I was interested in helping people whether that meant teaching them or caring for them.
In secondary school I was always labelled as ‘easily distracted’ and ‘distracts others’ which were probably symptoms of my subsequent ADHD, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia diagnoses in 2016 whilst at St George’s. Having avoided permanent expulsion in year 11, I was able to complete my GCSEs and finished school with 1A, 7Bs and 5Cs.
As the eldest of six siblings (at the time, it’s now eight) and neither of my parents having been to university, I wasn’t sure about what path to take next. I took a BTEC in Sport at NESCOT college in Epsom and went on to achieve Distinction, Distinction, Merit which meant I was accepted onto the Sports and Exercise science course at the University of Portsmouth.
I worked in retail, did Personal Training and did summer scheme roles during my time at university to fund myself as I was unable to rely on financial assistance throughout my first (and second) degree.
During my penultimate year in Portsmouth, I undertook a module called Sports Rehabilitation while suffering from a Grade 2 hamstring strain. It furthered my interest in Physiotherapy which had been sparked watching physiotherapists work with my Auntie (may she rest in peace) during her end-of-life care to help maintain her quality of life and independence.
I decided to apply to study Physiotherapy at St George’s, University of London to start in 2014. However, due to a fire that broke out in the flats I was living in at the time, I was left homeless meaning I had to defer my entry to 2015. I started in 2015 and was progressing okay until 2017 when, due to ongoing family issues having a huge impact on my ability to complete my studies, I took an interruption of studies until 2018. I returned to St George’s and finished with a 2.1 in Physiotherapy in 2019.
I then worked in an NHS Trust for six months before moving to Horder Healthcare in Eastbourne. During 2020 I had numerous negative experiences which had a huge impact on my mental health and led to me being diagnosed with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder following a suicide attempt.
I have since worked as a Band 6 and 7 Physiotherapist in the NHS, for a Championship professional football club (which I continue to do) alongside working in private Musculoskeletal clinics and now as a Lecturer in Physiotherapy at St George’s as well.
I am proud of becoming the youngest lecturer in the Centre for Allied Health as well as being admissions lead for the BSc and MSc Physiotherapy courses.
I was welcomed into the centre with open arms and have been supported in my role as I continue to develop and learn. In addition to being supported professionally, I have been shown empathy whilst learning to live with my mental health and neurodivergence. Thank you, St George’s, University of London.
I have learnt that everything happens for a reason. You will endure some hardships, but they do not define you. They will shape you and guide you onto greater things.
Sanchez-Jeremiah Davis is a Lecturer in Physiotherapy at St George’s, University of London