Shelly grew up and lived most of her life in Cape Town, South Africa, where she completed her BSc Honours degree in OT at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). Since then, she has worked predominantly with children in a range of settings in South Africa and the UK. Shelly currently works as a Band 7 OT for Cognus Ltd., who provide therapeutic and educational services across the Sutton Borough. She works at Oakfield School for Autism in Carshalton. The school has 43 learners from Reception to Year 6, all with a diagnosis of Autism, most with restricted diets, and all requiring varying levels of support.