She doesn’t look like a cancer victim; she doesn’t sound like a cancer victim; she doesn’t dress like a cancer victim; and she certainly doesn’t behave like a cancer victim. And that’s because Dame Deborah James is not a cancer victim. She’s not a victim of anything; she’s a celebrator of life, and I’m one of the many millions who love her for it.
I’ve been following Debs’ Instagram account and listening to her podcast for the last five years; like many people, I’ve never met her, but I feel I know her. I felt drawn to her because I think I have just the slightest inkling of what it’s all about for her, and I admire her more than I can say for her spirit of refusing, point-blank, to even be associated with however cancer is supposed to make you look and feel and act.
