I’m Lindsay, the Founder and CEO of both A Beautiful Mind and Dolly Daydream.

I was born in a mining village in Doncaster, South Yorkshire in 1980, schooled at Edlington Hill Top Primary School, and completed secondary education at Balby Carr.

I am a partner, a mum and step-mum.

For 10 years, I was misdiagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. I took a cocktail of medications, some toxic, and underwent blood tests every three months to monitor my liver and kidney function. My driving license was revoked annually, I couldn’t access life insurance, and I faced stigma from many.

Despite this, I never stopped seeking answers for the lifelong differences and challenges I faced, ones that Bipolar Disorder couldn’t fully explain. Thanks to research and a curious psychiatrist, my Bipolar diagnosis was rescinded by the NHS in 2022. Since then, I’ve received a diagnosis of Autism that truly reflects my experience, and I’m awaiting an ADHD assessment.

Advancements in research have helped recognise autism presentation in females, offering long-overdue validation to women like me who have spent years feeling misunderstood and unsupported.

I share this deeply personal journey to foster trust, connection, and a greater understanding of Neurodiversity & Inclusion.

My lived experience gives me a profound understanding of the challenges many face. For years, nothing made sense, I was a ‘master masker’, frequently over-whelmed and burnt-out, until I finally received the right diagnosis. With understanding and support, life now feels positive and authentic.

I am deeply proud of what I have built and achieved, not just for myself, but for many, especially given the challenges of my journey. A Bipolar diagnosis doesn’t come from a life filled with sunshine and stability; there were many dark days.

Looking back, I recognise my strength in relentlessly seeking understanding, my resilience in waiting for research to evolve, and my determination to keep asking ‘why?’ Just as much as I hoped others would ask the same. I took ownership of my journey, embraced growth, and found light in every moment that guided me forward.

Now, I stand as the best version of myself, not just for me, but for my partner and children that I love dearly.

I embrace my journey fully, knowing that even the hardest parts have shaped the good in my life.

Above all, I am deeply grateful to my friends: for standing by me, looking out for me, and accepting me as I am. Your kindness, understanding, and unwavering support have meant everything, because you stayed being my friend even though being a friend with me is ‘very different’. I’m so thankful that you’re still here to share in some of the best moments of my life now. And despite common misconceptions, autistic people do have friendships true, lasting, and meaningful ones. Only with special friends though LOL.

Lauren, who proofread my three-line ‘About Me’ page, told me, ‘You need to share your journey. The hands you were dealt matter. People need to know why you do what you do, and why your work means so much to you.’ Lauren was my very first friend when I moved from Edlington to Balby at just eight years old…and here we are, 36 years later, still special friends.”

“I, Dare To Dream Differently…Not just for me, but for many.”

#DollyDaydream #ABeautifulMind