this blog post is dedicated to a few of those people, mainly the parents because i feel that what they do on a regular basis to help their children achieve their dreams often gets overlooked because rightly or wrongly people are always more focused on the children.
first up is obviously my dad, good old Gary, I really don't know where i would be without him, he has been there for me through thick and thin no matter what. he has been there to hold my hand through thousands of doctors and hospital appointments. I admire his strength being a single parent 3 young children can't have een easy and the fact that i have special needs would have only made it harder.
He is the one that stayed up with me and explained why i had to go through operations and botox injections and physio and wearing my splints, and looking back it must have been hard for him, i was a subborn little girl, who hated wearing my splints and doing my exercises, i would scream and cry and i was daddys little girl so eventually he gave in i stopped doing physio and stopped wearing my splints because he didn't want to upset me anymore.
looking back i wish i had acted differently, i wish i'd understood back then how he was only doing it to give me the best chance in life but i guess that's the beauty of hindsight.
Dad, I am sorry for being a cow at times and making your life hell but thank you for everything you have done and continue to do, i love you so much, Dolly Diamond xxxx
Next we have Amy Hall Shepherd.
I came across this amazing lady on instagram, i don't remember how i found her but i am so glad i did, Amy has 2 beautiful children, one of which (her youngest) has Cerebral Palsy, i have been following Amy for just over a year and in that short time Ailyn has come so far,I love watching her achieve what people seem to think is the impossible, she is one determined little lady and reminds me very much of myself when i was first learning to walk.
Amys strength and courage when faced with some difficult decisions amazes me, she always put her wants and needs to one side to make sure that both Ailyn and Camden have the best shot at life possible, it is obvious from her instagram photos that she would do anything, give up anything for her children and her family and friends.
i know we only know each other through social media but i look up to you am half the mother you are when i have children i know i will be great.
you can follow Amys Journey here:
Then we have Gwen Hartley.
Gwen is another Lady that i follow on Instagram, she has 3 beautiful Children; Cal, Claire and Lola.
Claire and Lola have a range of medical problems, one of which is cerebral palsy, but she doesn't let that slow her family down, she embraces the uniqueness in her children and it is a truly beautiful thing to see. your children are lucky to have you and have the world at their feet because you will NEVER give up on them and that is something that i admire.
Follow this families amazing journey here http://www.thehartleyhooligans.com/
and then we have Todd Nelson
found on instagram, this mans story really touched me, he is a single parent to his 8 year old son TJ after he tragically lost his wife.
Single parents get a lot of stick, but single dads have it worse. and being a single parent when your child has special needs is far from easy but it's nice to see that there are some out there. it's clear to see from your innstagram that your son idolizes you, just keep doing what you're doing and TJ will grow up to be an mzing man just like his father.
follow their story here http://instagram.com/smithsidebar
