My name is Nicole Bates, but my family (and just about everybody else that knows me) calls me Nicky.  N-I-C-K-Y, not the effeminate spelling (aka Nicole, Nichole, etc.).  I'm not what you would refer to as a "girlie" type of female.

First and foremost, I'm a lesbo.  Yes, I am a lesbian.  Not that it matters (and it shouldn't!), but I am.  I've really never felt all that comfortable around guys; I guess that's because when I was a young child, me father, me very own flesh and blood, violated my trust.  He raped me repeatedly, so now I don't have any contact with him.  He is a very sick individual.  I haven't seen or talked to him in years.  This is why I have relationships with females because they understand or know my innermost feelings.  It's that simple.

Secondly, I'm handicapped.  Born that way; I've never really never known what it is like to walk without some type of assistance.  I was born with a divided spine, otherwise known in layman's terms, spina bifida.  I've had more surgeries than I'd like to admit:  have had so many I've lost count.  (I can walk with calipers on me legs or for short distances on a pair of forearm crutches, but I mainly use a wheelchair or a scooter, as it is far easier for me to get around.)

I live in Perth, Australia, with me mum and two brothers Kristopher and Paulie, and me younger sister, Tammi.  My partner, Susana, lives just up the street, so I see her just about every day, which is nice.  Me family loves her and have accepted her; I am very glad about that!

Even though I'm disabled, I still have a fairly good life.  I love music (grunge, punk, rock, rap: you name it, and I like it; however, I cannot stand country music; to me country music is nasty-gross!); in fact, I would love to become a professional vocalist, perhaps sing on television or have a CD with me name/face on it; I think that would be sooo freakin' awesome!!  I am passionate about music; in fact, music is me life!! :)

I am currently attending university to get a major in music (voice); I absolutely love to sing!  Ask me mate or me family:  I sing all the time!!  LOL

Besides music, I love to go on walks (yes, on "walks": either I use my crutches or my wheelchair; Susana pushes me when I'm in my chair!), go out to eat or out to a movie, hang out with me mates or family, and go to the Perth Zoo and watch the animals (the koalas are my absolute favourite; they are soooo cute!! :) ).

I'd do more, but I sometimes end up in hospital for yet another surgery or another procedure; it's really a giant pain in my ass!  It seems I've spent over half me life in hospital!!  :(

Well, Susana is here; she's gonna take me to the doctor's.  Another damned appointment; I'm so sick of them I could just SCREAM!!!!  Take care; I will write in here again sometime.  Until next time, this is Nicky signing off!  Toodles!

~Nicky Exley, Perth, Australia.