My name is Lyndie Dempsey. I was born in Australia in the early 70's and lived there until my 20's. I was diagnosed with plaque psoriasis when I was eight. Although I went through many treatments, nothing really worked. I eventually realised that, in my case, the hot and sunny Australian climate was a big factor, and decided to move to England, where I find the cool climate is much more comfortable, and my psoriasis is not as bad. I return to Australia in the Southern winter, so I have the best of both worlds.
I am a carer by profession, specialising in looking after deaf-blind people, and write in my spare time. My first book was a travel guide for disabled people. My life working with disabled people has made me realise how lucky I am in comparison, and my psoriasis is a minor thing compared with the problems others have to overcome,
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The idea for writing a series about psoriasis came from reading a post on Facebook, where a young child was embarrassed about his. I was myself when I was small, but tried to make the best of it. As for making Soria my "sis", that is because she is almost always with me, like a real sister. Also, like a real one, she can sometimes be a real pain, but in other ways can be a real help to me. And like a real sister, I know that one day she will leave, and, funnily enough, I will miss her when she goes.
I aimed the series at children hoping that some of my own experience might help them cope with psoriasis, and to show that everything can have a positive side if you look for it. It certainly doesn't have to ruin your life. I am happily married, have many friends and a great work and social life. Soria gets to enjoy them too.
