Great Expectations

By William Rae

“We changed again, and yet again…and the mists had all solemnly risen now and the world lay spread before me” 

Mahatma Ghandi said, ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world’. Here is William’s story in his
own words:

A long time ago, no, not in Bethlehem but in Aberdeen, I met an organisation called C-Change.
My first thoughts, were ‘Who are they and are they going to help me?’. I remember my first
meeting with Sam Smith, the CEO, and having a conversation about how I previously wanted a
bearded dragon as a pet but had been told I must ‘prove myself’ with a goldfish first. Needless to
say, when C-Change started working for me I got my bearded dragon!

Fast forward a few years and a great relationship developed. I really got to know them and they
got to know me. I was sad when they told me they were going to leave Aberdeen and part of me
wished they would take me with them.

Fast forward again and I found I didn’t need support but wanted to help C-Change, so I decided
to join the board.

Fast forward again and today I accepted the nomination to be their Vice Chair of the board of
trustees.
Mine is a story of Great Expectations, or more accurately, Great Aspirations. C-Change knew I had
the gifts, the skills and the talents to live life I wanted. Yes, there were times we went down a few
rabbit holes just like Alice in Wonderland but we always found our way back to the yellow brick
road.

C-Change didn’t give me the gifts, the skills and the talents, I already had them. I just needed
someone to show me that.

I’m going to give back to an organisation that believed in me, that helped me achieve that
quality of a valued life. I’m going to help others and defend their human rights. It’s important that
everybody loves what’s in their life.

Well, here’s to the next chapter, wherever it takes me – and to C-Change.

To listen an audio version of this, please click the play button below: