On 8th June 1986, at 11.33pm, Susan Harrison gave birth to her fifth and final child. She and her husband, Stephen Harrison, were delighted with the latest bundle of joy, and couldn't wait to take him home and introduce him to the rest of the family.
There was just one problem. They couldn't agree on a name.
Stephen had always thought Edward would make a fine name for a son. The child already hated and would continue to hate the name Edward for the next 25 years (though could not communicate this on the day of his birth). His mother, always with his best interests at heart (as she would continue to remind him for the next 25 years) called him David, and that was that.
They continued to argue over the name for 6 weeks, but Susan had been calling him David the entire time, and he had clearly been a David all along. As a begrudging compromise, they settled on the name David Edward Harrison.
That was 25 years ago.
And so, in the spirit of a quarter-century celebration of life, here are 25 achievements of 25 years:
1986 - I was born. Pretty miraculous if you ask me.
1987 - I learned to walk. Hmmm... perhaps "escape" is a better way to put it?
1988 - I learned to talk. Biggest mistake of my parents lives. They would say I learned to "answer back".
1989 - I learned to control my bladder. It's an achievement and I'm sticking to it!
1990 - I learned how to read. A lot of learning going on. Damn that developmental psychology.
1991 - I learned how to write. And how I loved to write. :)
1992 - I survived my parents' divorce. It wasn't that difficult for me - I was distracted by gifts and treats and days out. It was actually an awesome time to be a 6 year old.
1993 - I moved to Warwick. The uprooting could have been traumatic, but again, being so young I think I adjusted pretty well.
1994 - I was Baptised and Confirmed into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by my father. Some people might wonder why I'm putting this here. At the time, it was really important to me, and to this day I'm still grateful I did it. I wouldn't be the person I am today without my upbringing in the church, no matter how awfully it ended.
1995 - I was the lead in my school's production of The Gingerbread Man. In my memory, I rocked it. In reality, I'm sure it's a train-wreck.
1996 - I took the 11+ exam to attend a local grammar school, and passed.
1997 - I started secondary school at King Edward VI Grammar, Stratford. God, what a shitty time that was... The achievement here was enduring.
1998 - I was given the Aaronic Priesthood by my step-father, and passed the Sacrament for the first time. It meant a lot to me and my family at the time.
Not much happened in 1999 / 2000, but the years that follow more than make up for it in events!
2001 - I realised that I'm gay. It probably should have been obvious long before this point, but oh well!
2002 (I) - I left K.E.S. forever and started sixth form at Myton School!
2002 (II) - I was in the cast of the school's production of Les Miserables, in Thenardier's gang - and also in the chorus.
2003 - I came out to my parents. It was not brave, it was stupidity. I should have waited until I left home, and had a safe place where I could retreat. I got through it, though.
2004 (I) - I passed my A levels, got into Middlesex University, and left home.
2004 (II) - I helped raise money for The Joshua Foundation, and went to Australia where we completed a conservation project.
2005 - I lost my virginity. Proud moment.
2006 - I started kickboxing and worked my way up to Green Belt. I also received an award for "Most Improved Student" during my yellow belt grading.
2007 - I graduated from Middlesex University with BSc (Honours) Psychology 2:1. Self-proclaimed Show Off.
2008 - I got my first graduate job at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability as an Occupational Therapy Assistant.
2009 - I applied and was successfully accepted onto the MA Professional Writing course at London Metropolitan University.
2010 - I graduated from London Met with MA Professional Writing (Pass with Merit). One of the best years of my life. I learned so much and gained so many skills and enjoyed every second of it.
I still can't believe so much has happened and so much time has passed. I'm so grateful for everyone who has supported me and believed in me. Thank you all so much.
Here's to the next 25 years!
