Daniel was born on the 15th of March 1985 at the University Hospital in Nottingham, England. Daniel's life has been turbulent to say the least. Born and 'raised' in Nottingham, Daniel first lived in the Meadows area with his Father (Fawzi Elsayid Abo) his Mother (Susan Abo) and his brother (Richard Cornish). Daniel's Father left the family whilst Daniel was very young. Since then Daniel has lived in many different areas within Nottingham.

At age 4/5 Daniel attended the William Booth Infant School where he met Miss Dawson. Miss Dawson has been a major influence on Daniel's life even the though time spent at the School was brief. Miss Dawson encouraged Daniel to use his intelligence and natural artistic abilities to realise his full potential. Daniel remembers her reading to him, one particular book stands out, The Whale's Song by Dyan Sheldon.

As far back as he can remember, his mother, as always been an addict of some sort. Daniel led a very confused childhood with his Mother repeatedly with different men. When Daniel's mother hit, what he thought to be rock bottom, she took Daniel to the streets where she satisfied her alcohol problem. Daniel distinctly remembers sleeping in what was called "The Shed" just outside Nottingham Train Station. It was an abandoned property filled with all kinds of paraphernalia to do with drug taking and drug abuse. Homeless people from all over Nottingham would stay there. During Daniel's time there he witnessed his first death. A twenty-something man injected heroin into his foot and within minutes the mans lips had turned blue. Daniel looked on in awe wondering why the man's lips were turning blue. Moments later froth began erupting from the man's mouth until his eyes glazed over and a final jolt was released from his body. Daniel did not know what was happening at the time. Daniel questioned the people around him who didn't seem to notice what was happening to this man. It was at this point that an Ambulance was called. By the time the Ambulance crew got there the man was dead.

Throughout his life, Daniel, has witnessed his Mother being beaten by many different men. The most violent of which was his step-father Craig Cairnduff. At 9 years of age Daniel lived in a refuge with his Mother and his Brother (Richard) he remembers this time because it was the first time he actually felt safe (and received what he remembers to be his first Birthday present, a Monopoly board). His Mother decided to give Craig another chance and Daniel, Craig, Richard and her moved to Lenton Abbey. Daniel's mother and Craig continued with their alcoholism until Craig decided that his only way out was to commit suicide. On December 4th 1996 Craig Cairnduff died. Craig committed suicide by pouring petrol on himself and setting himself alight. Daniel, at this point, was attending Alderman White Lower School. Daniel took time off school to grieve over the loss of his Step-Father. Craig may have been a woman abuser, alcoholic, and a Glasgow Celtic supporter, but Craig treated Daniel like he was his own and Daniel loves him for that.

Daniel's Mother blamed herself for the loss of Craig and continued on her downward spiral. Daniel's brother, being 8 years older than Daniel, was old enough to understand what was happening and left home. (Daniel's brother made himself a new home and has 3 beautiful daughters.) Daniel's Mother turned to harder drugs to help her 'cope'. Aged 17 and just starting a National Diploma course at People's college, Daniel woke up to the fact that his 'Mother' is a crack addict. He also realised that the 'phone calls' she was receiving were from punters. Daniel's Mother is a prostitute. Daniel may seem to have handled his childhood very well, and is wiser because of it, but inside Daniel is still the lost boy he always was.

Daniel is now in a stable relationship with his long-term girlfriend Ursula, has a well paid job and lives on his own in a privately rented flat. After sleeping on the streets, being mentally abused, living with junkies, seeing people die and losing his family among other things, Daniel has lost trust in the world around him. He is slowly regaining his hope with the help of Ursula. Daniel's wish is to one day look back at his past and be thankful for it.


Poems by Daniel
Fawzi Abo Poems by Daniel
Daniel's online profile