Add your Down syndrome blog posts for #DSAM2014
What a wonderful month it has been for our team, with positive media articles left right and centre,
#TeamT21 Down Syndrome Awareness Month Linky #DSAM2014
What a wonderful month it has been for our team, with positive media articles left right and centre,
20 Disability Quotes That Will Change Your Thinking
So very often we think we understand what a particular disability means, or how it feels to walk in another's shoes. We make judgements on what constitutes a good quality of life and apportion pity where we deem it to be required, all too readily.
The following quotes, compiled by Firefly, might just challenge the way you perceive disability and those who live with it.
"Disability is not a brave struggle or 'courage in the face of adversity.' Disability is an art. It's an ingenious way to live."
Neil Marcus
Making a harvest festival box: Teaching your child with Down syndrome new skills
We made a harvest festival box and used it as an excuse to practise our reading and writing skills
Process not product
I know I know... the urge to interfere sometimes becomes too great. The desire to help make that homework or art project look lovely AND not take for ever to complete can be overwhelming.
 |
| Natty makes her harvest festival box |
Blogger vs Troll: I am only human
Blogger vs Troll: I am only human
 |
| The vulnerability of bloggers |
My skin has grown thick to your vitriolic bile
I know it's there, festering, bubbling, inciting
But never new or original in thought
An Outstanding Award for MADs Down Syndrome Blogs
 |
| My raw emotions captured by Tom Arber |
6,500 blogs were nominated
Over 25,000 votes were cast
On Friday night the winners of the
MAD Blog Awards were announced
 |
| Outstanding Contribution Awatd for Downs Side Up and a Best Food Blog Awards (pictured here) for Frugal Queen |
My Mad Blog Awards Poem
For once no nerves on that blissful, quiet train ride
No child to placate, no "mummy"s to field
No speeches to deliver or media to court
This adrenaline-free trip, a treat for me
Soaked deep in scented bubbles, bathed to a prune
Heavenly! Decadent room service and a little fizz
As I planned what to wear, how to scrub up
A #post40blogger, remembering what it's like
Technical tips for the bewildered, counter the trolls
Who comfort, share, advise and support
My collaborative online family
So very proud to be chosen, heard, read
So very humble to witness the power of our words
So very determined to keep our community going
So many thoughts in my head, my heart swelled
Such diversity danced before me
Pregnant, gay, special needs, Mums, Dads too
The PR gurus and those with a message
My original motivation rose to the fore:
Support for new parents and
Stem the fear of Trisomy 21
And as the tribute film rolled
So sprang forth the tears
The sobs, wracking, shaking, wrapped in guilt and love
So much more than a glass award
The trophy I want remains far from grasp
The trophy I want remains far from grasp
I clutched Dr Ranj as he whispered that he understood
His words of encouragement; to keep up the pace
To never give up trying
To get the world to embrace, accept and include
Not seek to eradicate or hide from view
_______________
 |
| Thank you Dr Ranj for your encouragement |
So very proud to know and work alongside every one of these finalists. And huge love to Team Honk for shining the way, and drawing us all in to your fabulous fundraising.
Outstanding Contribution Bloggers
This award recognises that blogger who has contributed most to their community, through campaigning, charity work and practical support, and was sponsored by Thorntons. These are bloggers nominated by their peers and winners were chosen by the judges.
Mammasaurus/Team Honk
 |
| The MADs Outstanding Contribution Bloggers take to the stage |
With special thank you to:
Sally Whittle and sponsors Parentdish for putting so much effort in to a fabulous evening.
All my fellow Outstanding Contribution finalists who work so tirelessly to change the world in so many ways.
The Royal Garden Hotel for making me so welcome (and giving me a cheeky upgrade.)
My dinner neighbour, Tim from Halfords (and apologies for making him cry get something in his eye whilst eating his panacotta).
To Mummy Barrow for holding my hand.
To Mummy Barrow for holding my hand.
Fellow Team T21 bloggers Tom from the Futures Rosie and Sarah from Don't Be Sorry for also striving to make the world a better place for those with Down's syndrome. Congratulations to both for winning awards, Best Blog, Best Writer and Best Newcomer respectively!
CBeebies Dr Ranj for quite simply being incredibly supportive, remembering my name from last year, reading my letter to Richard Dawkins and, despite the bouncy exterior, and ambidextrous eyebrows, being seriously genuine and absolutely 'getting it'.
To Spewing Mummy for sharing a taxi ride from Paddington and educating me further about HG.
To My Two Mums, Skint Dad, Chris Mosler, Gammon and Chips, Merrily Me, Suzanne, Rachel Edwards and Steph Curtis for making my trip unforgettable.
To Spewing Mummy for sharing a taxi ride from Paddington and educating me further about HG.
To My Two Mums, Skint Dad, Chris Mosler, Gammon and Chips, Merrily Me, Suzanne, Rachel Edwards and Steph Curtis for making my trip unforgettable.
What Have I Done to Deserve This? A MADs Honour
 |
| Downs Side Up is an Outstanding Contribution finalist |
Def: An inexplicable mixture of bursting pride,
humbled shock and unswerving determination
e.g. Being a finalist in the MAD Blog Awards for making an Outstanding Contribution has
filled me with prumbleation.
filled me with prumbleation.
Here I sit and ponder what on earth I have done to deserve to be listed amongst 10 of the UK's most dedicated campaign, support and charity bloggers.
I'm just a Mum, a parent on a mission, that has found herself at the helm of a ship that cannot be stopped.
 |
| Outstanding Contribution finalist 2013 with Dr Ranj |
Again.
It irreversibly changed when I became a Mum of course, then again when I became a special needs mum. But 3 years ago our youngest began school and I became a blogger. It happened over night and I could never have possibly envisaged where that blog, that mother ship on a course of its own, would take me.
Until now I have been unsure about writing on the topic of being a 2014 MADs (Mums and Dads) finalist on my blog for fear of sounding like I am blowing my own horn. The event takes place this Friday, and I've been unable to formulate a post until now.
Chatty Natty on ITV Lorraine Show: The Face of Representation
Did you ever have a moment in your life that was so exciting, so surreal that you weren't sure if you dreamt it up? The kind of moment where you are plucked from your ordinary life and sucked into a parallel universe for the briefest of whiles, before being plopped back safe and sound, albeit exhausted and clutching a few souvenirs?
Well, if it weren't for two pink Lorraine clocks in the girls' bedrooms, I would indeed be wondering if I had dreamt up our trip to London to feature live on the ITV Lorraine Show.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)