Everlasting Lives exhibition at St Joseph's hospice

Jade Sempare, 31, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 13

Photograph: Eleonore de Bonneval

Gardening tools

I have set up my own gardening project in Canning Town Caravanserai. I want to help people have a more simple life through gardening. I spoke to the participants about growing plants and challenging them about how it makes them feel, knowing that when you see something grow it builds your self esteem.

Photograph: Eléonore de Bonneval

John Waterhouse, 77, was diagnosed with blood cancer in January 2013

Photograph: Eléonore de Bonneval

A special photograph

I was born at the wrong time – 1937. I don’t remember seeing my father until I was eight years of age. It wasn’t a normal upbringing because my mother was in hospital. She had TB. She died at 32. I was nine. When my Dad came back he was like a stranger because I had not seen him at all really. I remember he came in, he gave us a little jar of sweets and went down the pub. I still remember that day. I didn’t know what sweets was in those days – everything was rationed.

Photograph: Eléonore de Bonneval

Viviane Fatimani, 29, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in December 2009

Photograph: Eléonore de Bonneval

A song written for me

My boyfriend wrote me a song when I was on my gap year. It is the best present I ever got. We went to see him play in a bar and he played this song to me. Everyone was like ‘Oh my goodness!’ I said: ‘It is a song about friendship – you don’t understand it, he understands me! I understand him too, this is a friendship song.’ But really, I was in denial about our relationship. I met with my boyfriend before I got diagnosed with MS. He is really supportive, very understanding.

Photograph: Eléonore de Bonneval

Everlasting Lives by Eléonore de Bonneval is at St Joseph’s Hospice, Mare Street, E8 4SA until 16 January. 

www.edebonneval.co.uk
Twitter/Instagram: @edebonneval