11 Dec 2025
When Danny first met with Magic Life’s Business Development Manager, Raff Baccus, she didn’t expect the conversation to become such a pivotal moment in her life. Coming from years of instability, hospital admissions, and misunderstood diagnoses, she walked into the meeting uncertain about what her future might hold. But within minutes, something felt different.
Raf didn’t rush her. He didn’t overwhelm her with questions or paperwork. Instead, he created a space where Danny felt genuinely seen and heard—perhaps for the first time in a long time. What was supposed to be a standard placement assessment became, in her words, more like a therapy session. Raf focused on how she felt, what she needed, and what she had been through. He wasn’t looking at her history as a list of challenges; he saw a person who deserved compassion, clarity, and hope.
In that moment, Danny knew Magic Life was the right place for her.
She felt safe. She felt understood.
And for the first time in years, she felt a sense of possibility.
A Long Road of Struggle
Danny’s difficulties began early in life. Growing up around the Portsmouth area, she was bullied at school, struggled with her mental health from the age of eleven, and faced family upheaval that left her emotionally vulnerable. Years of self-harm, hospital admissions, and misdiagnosed conditions led to a long cycle of crisis and recovery—with no lasting stability.
It wasn’t until 2025, after pushing tirelessly for answers, that she was finally diagnosed with Autism and ADHD. The diagnosis gave her something she never had before: understanding. She finally knew why she struggled in certain environments, why she reacted so intensely, and why she often felt different from those around her.
But having answers wasn’t enough—she needed the right environment to heal.
Finding Safety and Structure at Magic Life
When Danny arrived at Magic Life, she was still self-harming almost daily. She didn’t feel safe alone, and her life was dominated by overwhelming emotional cycles. The team immediately stepped in with compassion, structure, and clarity.
Magic Life worked closely with her to develop a support plan tailored to her needs. This included:
✔ 24-hour one-to-one support
A vital measure that helped Danny feel physically and emotionally safe.
✔ A personalised zone-card system
A simple but effective way for Danny to communicate her emotional state—red for high risk, amber for struggling, green for stable, and blue for tired or withdrawn.
✔ Therapeutic routines and grounding strategies
Built around Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills such as sensory grounding, paced breathing, and emotional regulation techniques.
✔ Positive, consistent staff relationships
Danny learned to trust the team, including long-standing staff members and managers like Cheryl, Amanda, and Hannah, who always showed patience, understanding, and encouragement.
Magic Life didn’t just keep her safe—they helped her grow.
Breaking the Cycle
Over time, Danny’s self-harm reduced. The behaviours that once controlled her life became less frequent, then rare, and eventually stopped altogether.
With a mixture of therapy, structured support, and her own determination, she achieved something she once believed impossible:
529 days self-harm free.
She tracks this milestone daily, celebrating every step forward. Her progress was so significant that even her social worker recognised she was ready for a new chapter.
Danny says a huge part of her recovery was feeling truly supported, not judged.
“If they give me positive attention, I’m less likely to self-harm,” she explained—and the Magic Life staff understood that. They focused on building her confidence, independence, and sense of self-worth.
Preparing for Independence
Today, Danny is ready to move on to a more independent living environment—a step she once couldn’t imagine taking. She’s studying Psychology with the Open University, completing four hours a day of coursework, and planning for a future where she can help others who are experiencing similar struggles.
Her long-term dream is clear:
To live completely independently and become a psychologist who supports young people facing mental health challenges.
She wants her story to show others that life can change—that recovery is not only possible, but achievable with the right support, persistence, and belief in yourself.
A Message from Danny
To anyone who feels misunderstood, overwhelmed, or stuck, Danny shares this advice:
- Push for the right diagnosis. Keep fighting for answers.
- Accept support. You don’t have to do it alone.
- Believe in yourself. Even when it feels impossible.
- Keep going. There is light ahead—run toward it.
A New Chapter Begins
Danny’s journey is a testament to resilience, courage, and the power of compassionate support. From her first conversation with Raf—where she finally felt heard—to two and a half years of growth at Magic Life, she has transformed her life and built a future she can be proud of.
Magic Life is honoured to have been part of her journey, and we cannot wait to see the incredible things she will achieve next.
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