Friday, 12 October 2018

BritMums Brilliance in Blogging Awards announced

Stephs Two Girls October 12, 2018 #BiBs2018, autism, BiBs2018, Blogging, Brilliance in Blogging Awards, Britmums, Community, PDA

Today at 1 pm is when the Winners of this year's BritMums Brilliance in Blogging Awards will be announced. A month or so ago I was so chuffed to find out I had made it to the list of finalists, as part of the Reader's Choice category. However, I'd forgotten all about the winners being announced today, until I saw it on someone else's timeline.

I'm so sure I won't win the award; but I appreciate everyone in the running always says that. I'm just happy to be in the finalists list; again, everyone says that. I was going to try and let this moment slip by quietly, so as to not draw attention to the fact I hadn't won... but then I realised that I wanted to say a huge 'THANK YOU' to everybody who did take the time to nominate me in the first place. It does honestly mean so much to me, and I'd hate to think anyone thought I didn't care.

I care very much, not just about my child but about all the children and families who are going through tough times. From my involvement locally and nationally with the PDA Society, I know of so many who are being failed, who are fighting a system that doesn't work. I can't get out and work as much as I'd like to, because my younger child is different. Because she isn't yet settled, and we have matters to sort as a family. Both my girls are a priority and obviously they come first. So I do what I can from behind this keyboard, regularly getting a backache from how I set and a headache because I'm not getting enough fresh air I suspect!

It's all worth it to me; after eight years of blogging I can see some ripples and whilst it's lovely to be appreciated from a personal point of view, it's even more heartening to know that the ripples are spreading and changes are happening. As the numbers of people who can see my writing increases, I've received more messages thanking me for sharing and letting me know that I've made a difference to another family's life. Honestly, that does mean more to me than winning any award. I'm under no illusion that I'm a brilliant writer; it's never been about that for me. It's about telling our story honestly and helping others to understand all about Pathological Demand Avoidance. Because if others understand, that helps our daughter.

There are so many people out in communities who I admire because they are 'doing stuff'. I wish I was able to do that all the time; I only do very small bits here and there when I can. We all need to know and understand our limits! Blogging is a way I feel able to help, and I'm proud to be part of a community which appreciates and builds others up. Today I'll be having my fingers crossed for PDA Parenting who is also a finalist, in the Fresh Voice category. But I'll also be thinking of all the other bloggers who are just starting out, who who don't have the time to blog as much, who want their voices heard. To them I say please don't be despondent about not making the finals list, you are still helping, you are reaching people and it does matter. The award is a fantastic way to gain publicity for a 'cause' like mine, but it in no way means anyone is better than anyone else. We're a team, all working together, to communicate with others.

So I want to say thank you. Thank you to my readers, to all of you who like, comment or share, and also to those who just read. You are also making a difference; you are helping everyone who is having a difficult time.

To find out more about our experiences, please check out our 'About Us' page. If you are looking or more information on Pathological Demand Avoidance, why not try some of these, my most popular posts?