David fell in love with theatre as a teenager and developed an enjoyment for storytelling. His passion earned him a place to study at the world-leading conservatoire, The Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London.
In late 2014, David began experiencing severe breathlessness and dizziness from minor exertion while starting work on a Christmas production. He was hospitalised for tests because of fears of a blood clot in his lungs. The next twenty-four hours became a surreal experience as test after test returned negative. Stumped at how to explain why his resting heart rate was 140bpm, a senior cardiologist took a shot in the dark and ordered a tilt table test. It confirmed Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.
Over four years, David saw many specialists, each helping him manage his day-to-day symptoms. The effects of dysautonomia cover the entire nervous system causing patients to feel symptoms in most disciplines of medicine. It ended in the sad realisation David’s career in theatre was incompatible with his new diagnosis. Today, symptoms still blight his daily life, but his passion for storytelling lives on.
The Waking Relief Series was born after David commented to his sleep therapist treating his chronic insomnia, common to dysautonomia, suggesting he could write his lucid dreams into novels. She agreed.
He hopes sharing his work will allow others who suffer from disabilities to feel less isolated and enjoy reading!