Katie Price has described the void that not having her son Harvey at home with her has left in her life. The reality star and model has always spoken of her intense love and pride for her son, who has learning difficulties and requires a high level of care.
Katie also spoke about how starting therapy has helped and that she will continue it for the rest of her life. In an interview with The Guardian, she said: " Everyone would benefit from therapy. I started recently and will continue for the rest of my life. When you’re in the Priory and hear other people’s stories, it’s easy to think, 'God, are you only here for that? You’d never cope with my life'. I’m learning you can’t have that attitude. Trauma affects people differently."
Katie's life in the public eye began when she was on Page 3 for the first time in 1996. She became a regular in the so-called "lads' mags" of the late 1990s and has been a regular on reality TV and in newspapers and on websites ever since.
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" I love what I do," she said. "The reality shows and photoshoots, I don’t know any different. I’ve done it since I was 17. But I’ve become fair game in the press and people don’t realise how mentally damaging it can be. I feel suffocated and isolated, and don’t know where to turn for help. It’s making me paranoid. But it’s not just that I enjoy the job – I couldn’t walk away at this point even if I tried."
She was also attacked at gunpoint in South Africa in 2018, when six men tried to carjack her when she was in the car with her children. She was assaulted and her friend was knocked unconscious.
She said it was taking her time to adjust to not having Harvey at home with her, saying: "His complex needs mean looking after him is full on. It’s a relief to not have the house totally destroyed every day, but it’s hard adjusting. I expect to hear his shouts and banging; to have our cuddles and kisses. It’s left a void in my life. I miss him, but you adapt.
"People in the public eye who have children with complex needs are starting to be more open. It wasn’t like that before. People didn’t like to admit it, as if they were ashamed. But I’ve always been so proud of Harvey. He’s not an embarrassment. He has plenty of qualities other people don’t. It’s as simple as that.
"Now I’m in the Houses of Parliament campaigning for better laws and opening up people’s eyes to life for people with disabilities. Honestly, I see others getting MBEs who’ve done less than me, and I think: why not me? A controversial woman in power who lived and breathed what she believed – that’s how I’d like to be remembered. That no matter what, I’d do what I wanted to, and defied the odds."
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