The Aberfan disaster is not something I remember every 10 years.

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It is every year, every day. When you live in Aberfan, when you are part of that trauma, you never leave it behind.

I survived the disaster at Pantglas Junior School on 21 October 1966. I was severely injured. My only brother, Carl, was seven years old, and my sister, Marylyn, was 10. I lost them both.

My family and I have paid our respects every year without fail, but this anniversary feels particularly significant. I will be 70 next year, and other survivors and families are getting older, too. We have to face the possibility that this could be our last.

I am glad the world still remembers Aberfan, and I have always spoken out about what happened. But telling your story takes courage. When you write a book or speak publicly about something so horrific, you open yourself up to other people's opinions and criticism, especially when others are not ready to talk.

I speak from experience: as a survivor, a bereaved sister and someone whose family, alongside the community, has fought for justice for 60 years.

For years, I have spoken about Aberfan as if I am talking about somebody else. I can tell the story, explain what happened and speak about the disaster from the point of view of a survivor.

But then there are moments when I stop and think: Oh my........

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