Via Telegraph.co.uk:
In a lengthy, moving post on his Instagram, Ahmed shared pictures he drew at the age of 7 of Luke Skywalker and his future co-star Darth Vader, along with a caption expressing his gratitude for the year he’s just had.
“Somehow in the years between then and when I myself ‘got old’, the constant message that someone like me couldn’t ever belong, or shape the world around them, had taken hold,” he wrote, as part of a longer caption.
“Only a year ago, for various reasons, I wasn’t sure I could carry on doing this,” he continued. “I had a realisation through some really tough moments that we have no control in this life. And it got me down, but then, seeing no other way forwards, I had to embrace this helplessness, and through it, rediscover a sense of childishness, and of play.
“Finally, at that point I stopped doing and making things to prove myself to others, and started doing things for my younger self… I cannot be more grateful to those who have allowed me to be a part of their vision and those who were kind enough to watch, listen, read, and notice.”