Kevin's thoughts on the #BiBs2018

Kevin wrote this yesterday on facebook and I loved how he expressed it so much that I am sharing it here:

“Evening all - just wanted to share my lovely wife Liz’s fantastic news!! She has been nominated for a blogging award and I am so unbelievably happy and proud of all that she has done, and all that she is.

Since Coraline was born 13 months ago Liz has been writing a rather lovely blog journaling our life with Coraline (www.coralineandus.com), who happened to have been born with an extra 21st chromosome, more commonly known as Downs Syndrome.

Liz worked for the British Council for many years in cultural relations and their mission was always to educate and enlighten using what they called ‘soft power’ which I take to mean using positive messaging to say what you have to say.

When I first heard the news that Liz had been nominated my first inclination was to say “we will make sure you will win!! I will call in favours and get you out there”. I am a sales guy and so I used that rationale on it. It was only a little later that I looked at the other nominees and thought - each and every one is a worthy winner and as cheesy as it sounds, the winning really doesn’t actually matter (I do believe that she will win!). What is important is really raising awareness and acceptance of all people, and of raising awareness and celebration of all the varied communities which exist outside of most peoples’ view. 

Since Coraline was born, and I became a part of the Down syndrome community, I am just so much more aware of many conditions which exist - what I really love is that there are so many inspirational people who choose positivity and love to tackle the hurdles and obstacles they face on a daily basis. Some of this can be quite confronting when you have no experience of this and it doesn’t fit into your life experience to date but I feel that I have grown so much as a result.

Anyway, I’m waffling in a bit as I’m in the bath drinking a G&T but what I would ask is this.

If you are not already following Liz’s blog on Facebook or Insta and you would like to see a lovely little girl grow up, then follow at coraline_and_us

If you like her blog enough then please place your vote at https://www.britmums.com/vote-for-the-bibs2018-finalists/

It is in the fresh voice sector - you can also look at some of the other blogs.

Thanks a lot

Kev”