Why I’d appreciate a #BiBs vote in Health please

Last year I was amazed and very humbled to discover that my blog had been shortlisted in the Commentary category of the Brilliance in Blogging awards.. I appreciated every vote that got me there and honestly did not expect to be amongst the other bloggers.

This year I’m there again, but in the Health category, something that I am absolutely delighted (and yes, humbled again) about as a) it felt like a natural fit for my blog encompassing mental health and b) me? Really? I couldn’t quite believe it.

As I said last year, I’m not one for self-promotion, I’m not a “jazz hands, I’m here” person but am really, really pleased to be shortlisted and would absolutely love to be a finalist and here’s why:

I started blogging on a regular basis in March 2012, it started as a therapeutic outlet as I found that reading other blogs really helped me realise that I wasn’t alone on this autism parenting journey, however it might feel sometimes.

From 1st April 2012, I started writing a diary post, yes, me, who’d never really kept a diary. I found blogging about the highs and lows of our day really helped me to dissect what maybe could have been done in a different way (yes, usually me. For “different” substitute “better”)

Through blogging I made “met” many other parents/carers of autistic children and adults on the spectrum, each have their own story and experiences to tell and I recently had a month of hosting a guest post every night for Autism Awareness Month under the hashtag #ThisIsAutism, it was an honour to tell their tales and experiences and a few people said it felt good to write down how they felt, blogging is definitely very therapeutic.

There have been instances when I’ve been troll-ed and bullied, it happens. It’s not going to stop me blogging. It’s far better to adopt a “glass half full” approach and think positive, rather than “why me?”.

Autism and other “invisible disabilities” are on the increase, whether it is because of earlier diagnosis or environmental factors, my aim is not only to increase autism awareness but also acceptance. It’s a big “ask”, to ask people to look beyond their initial perceptions of a “naughty” child, I totally accept that.

I have two children diagnosed on the spectrum, D – who is nearly 10 – was diagnosed at age 4.5 and T, he is 11.5 and was diagnosed at the high functioning end last year, although we had known for a few years prior to that.

They have their individual challenges and traits but I am totally proud of them and how far they’ve come to overcome their individual anxieties. It’s not all plain sailing as my blogs do indicate. We are currently going through the appeals process for T’s secondary school place and well, stress is an understatement, he knows we’ll do our best to attempt a successful outcome.

I also host a Wobbles Wednesday linky and have blogged about cancer, depression and how our inner demons can shape who we are.

As I mentioned, I am overjoyed to be shortlisted in the Health category, I would really like to be amongst the finalists with the increased awareness that that may bring.

To do that, I need votes please, I’m not on Facebook so am totally reliant on this means of communication (shares on FB would also be appreciated).

Please consider either clicking here or on the badge below and scrolling down to category 15, voting closes on 16th May 2014 at midnight. I can’t make any promises other than I am very honoured to be shortlisted and will do my best to get a little bit further.

Thank you for reading, Jx

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