‘Never give up, keep smiling and reach for the stars!’
Jasmine, now 25, was born at 28 weeks.
Hello, I'm Jasmine, I'm 25 and I live in the West Midlands. In 1997 I was born 12 weeks premature, weighing 2lb (900g).
My disabilities are dyspraxia and autism, which were both diagnosed very late when I was 16 years old. Challenges as a child included learning, memory and communication. I struggled a lot at school and I couldn't do things that other children could, like understanding answers to questions and knowing how to make friends. I had a lot of other challenges as a child, including feeling different and feeling a lot slower than others.
Amazing achievements
Jasmine received the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award in 2022.
I coped with these challenges by always smiling and thinking ‘I can do this, even if it takes longer’. I left secondary school with one GCSE as I found school very difficult but I went to college afterwards. Since then I have done some amazing things and have lots more friends. A lot of my friends have special educational needs (SEN). I love achieving things, it makes me smile.
One thing that has kept me going is my amazing family: my mum Sue, my dad Jon and my brother Casey and friends, who always support me and never say I can't do something. In May 2022 I went to Buckingham Palace to get my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, which was an amazing achievement for me and an experience I will never forget. I saw Prince Edward, he was so nice. For me, it was my biggest achievement.
Helping others
I love to prove everyone wrong and I also love helping others. I do lots for charity and had my hair cut off about eight months ago for the Little Princess Trust. I love thinking of others and helping other disabled young people. In June 2022 I became a Duke of Edinburgh UK Youth Ambassador and have attended various events, such as Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Google HQ and London Geographical Society.
I have worked in retail for five years and am currently at Marks & Spencer, where I love helping customers. My colleagues are so kind. I have also done lots of other qualifications as eventually I would like to work in a special needs school and help young people like me, because I know the daily struggles.
Feeling proud
My proudest moment as a child was at primary school when I received lots of certificates and all the children looked after me in my class. It was an amazing primary school. As an adult, visiting Buckingham Palace was my proudest moment. I have raised money for premature baby charity Bliss by doing charity walks as I love being kind.
“I love spreading awareness of hidden disabilities and showing what can be achieved despite challenges in life.”
Everyone says I'm an inspiration and I just tell them that I keep smiling. I have a pet dog called Winston, who is six years old. He is like another best friend to me and always makes me smile. I like to meet other people who were also born prematurely as I think it has made me who I am today – an amazing individual.
Jasmine has come a long way since her NICU days in 1997
By being a Duke of Edinburgh UK Youth Ambassador I have met lots of other amazing young people who are completing the Duke of Edinburgh award. There are 30 of us in total from different parts of the UK and Ireland and all at different stages. I am the oldest one and I hope we will all be friends for life as I love keeping in touch with everybody. Doing the Duke of Edinburgh scheme has made me so much more confident and I love spreading awareness of hidden disabilities and showing what can be achieved despite challenges in life.
To anyone born prematurely or with a disability, all I can say is: ‘reach for the stars and keep smiling.’
With thanks to Jasmine Pole for sharing her story.