Hello and welcome to another episode of the Perception Podcast with me your host Caroline Partridge. In this episode, I talk to undercover artist and cancer survivor Sharon Bennett. Sharon shares unusual and enlightening revelations around the chemotherapy and cancer treatment she underwent, from a wild non-stop stream of ideas, a side effect of the steroids she was taking, to the unexpected employment discrimination she faced, and the effect of PTSD after her all-clear diagnosis. And Sharon also reveals, how she channelled her creativity to smash the perceptions about how cancer sufferers should look and behave by using her condition to allow herself to embrace her fashion and artistic alter egos and provide inspiration for others to do the same. Please join me as we look at life through a different lens.    KEY TAKEAWAYS Sharon has used art to process her battle with cancer, she has used her art to campaign and shift people’s perceptions around illness. Some people didn’t react to Sharon’s cancer in the way she expected. They distanced themselves and Sharon now thinks this is because of fear and being around her made the ‘threat’ of cancer too real. Starting an Instagram account to tell her story and share her journey, gave Sharon the platform to challenge perceptions and educate people on the realities of a cancer diagnosis. A shockingly common experience amongst those with cancer is that their employers aren’t supportive and, in some cases, they have been dismissed from their jobs. Employers need to look at the policies they have in place and if these work in reality. An unexpected side effect of having cancer has been Sharon’s willingness to experiment with how she looks. She has a lot more fun with her hair, make-up and the clothes she wears. After having success with charity t-shirts, Sharon is now focusing on creating work with other artists with army surplus clothing, the aim is to run a fashion show and reveal the synergy between the battlefield and battling cancer. Finishing treatment isn’t the end of any cancer journey. The fact you had cancer is something you continue to deal with every day. Sharon is currently undergoing treatment for PTSD caused by her cancer diagnosis. BEST MOMENTS “Some people became a bit distant and I think that’s because they were frightened to talk to me” “These companies had things in place for dealing with cancer but they aren’t very good” “Work is something that anchors you to some form of normality” “If these people knew what I’d gone through and how strong I am and how resilient I have had to be, they would hire me” “We’re going to promote the beauty of this battle women have to go through” “If you’ve got cancer you don’t have to be ill, we only see people with really sick cancer” “There’s still a lot of shame around illness…it’s fuc*ed up” “The mental battle is something you still have”   ABOUT THE GUEST Blog A Cambridgeshire based self-taught artist, Sharon Bennett is passionate about art that is vibrant and striking. Using a range of medium and techniques, Sharon has an artistic style that is deceptively light and playful with darker undertones and references. Sharon is inspired by pop culture, religion, fashion and passion and has exhibited in London and Cambridgeshire. In 2022 Sharon was diagnosed with breast cancer. As part of her healing, she created a lot of art and collaborated with other artists to make images for clothes that were inspired by her cancer journey. Alongside her cancer artworks, Sharon collaborates with another fashion artist called Jamie Ashman and in December 2023 they created an art exhibition in London based on the Studio 54 disco aesthetic. In May they are holding a show called ‘Tribe’ which will explore fashion tribes, identity and youth subcultures. Charity: 'Something To Look Forward To: home  Socials & Contact https://www.instagram.com/brave_girl_tough_c