This is Kate Hegan, a 22-year-old student who spent every day knowing that eating the wrong meal, smelling a certain scent, or even sitting on her own sofa could kill her in minutes.
Kate, from Somerset, lives with a rare condition called mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS).
It means she can only safely eat around 25 specific foods without her life being on the line.
But her unpredictable reactions go far beyond just what she eats.
Her body is constantly fighting her, reacting to smells, simple temperature changes, and even the fabric of her furniture.
“Now, it's our sofa - It's absolutely terrifying, as when I go into anaphylaxis, I've got minutes before I'm dead,” she says.
For years, the young woman battled terrifying, unexplained health problems that left her suffering reflex anoxic seizures where her heart would completely stop for up to two minutes.
Her dreams of becoming a nurse were shattered by constant fainting episodes and devastating memory issues.
But her entire world changed when she was matched with a black Labrador named Kenny from the charity Medical Detection Dogs.
Kenny can detect her life-threatening reactions before they happen, giving her a crucial ten-minute warning so she can prepare.
When a severe reaction is looming, the dog refuses all toys and treats, pacing restlessly and giving her a "proper Paddington-style stare."
This constant, canine lifeline has given Kate her independence back.
She is now defying the odds and preparing to graduate as a primary school teacher.
“I couldn't see the point in living anymore before he came to me. He's shown me there is something to live for and I will be around to find out what that is.”
