A wonderful night was had by all. I met some amazing warriors x
The BAPS awards showcase valuable contributions SEND (Special Education Needs) bloggers make in raising awareness of additional need, both within the SEND community and across wider society. This is the fifth year of these awards created by a group of parents with SEND children wanting to recognise what they call ‘Bloody Awesome Parents” as they deal with what are huge new challenges.
I was a proud finalist. Recognised within the “Making a Difference” category.
“Being recognised has given me such a boost at the end of what has been an exhausting and heart breaking nine years. I want all those who are suffering to know that we hear you and that your communities have united to speak up. We won’t rest until we get the inquiry that can change outcomes and save lives that have not been valued highly enough. Too many of our SEND vulnerable are dying young because of the challenges they face with their mental health and service failure, alongside our older adults and dementia patients too. We simply won’t accept this anymore as an inevitable reality, because it is not.”
“My sincere thanks to the organisers of such a lovely event and to all of those who voted for me. “
Commenting on Melanie’s shortlisting, Nina Ali, Melanie’s solicitor at Hodge Jones & Allen said
“I am delighted that Melanie’s determination and drive to get to the real truth around Matthew’s death has been recognised by this amazing Parent Group. No mother should have to go through all the challenges and hurdles she has faced in order to get basic answers.”
#matthewscampaign
Janet Willicott:-
BAPS AWARDS ~ Thanks to Debs Aspland, her lovely Team and Organisation for founding these wonderful celebratory awards.
It was a wonderful evening and I was up against 3 other amazing nominees, shortlisted from many many other wonderful humans, the main Championing award category was given to my colleague who equally deserved it.
We were all celebrated, however in the words and speech by the lovely Melanie Leahy, ‘we are all working separately for the same goal, when we all need to stand together to bring ”the system” down, especially the system that brings ‘us’ down’.
Despite having a ripped wrist tendon, and 5 hours stuck in bloody traffic, my main man and handsome date Basti Willicott celebrated with me, it was a lovely evening and an amazing experience for Basti, as it was his first ever formal awards / dinner event.
Not to mention meeting the host of the evening who is the cool actor and grounded human: Mathew Horne, (Gavin & Stacey) who knew about the specifics of my dress design & designer! (That’s impressive).
It’s now back to training and my desk!
Thanks for all your amazing wishes and support, you are all such wonderful humans, SEND doesn’t stop, as we have a system to bring down, as well as corrupt humans who strive to gain lbs as the expense of the vulnerable.
Janet Willicott
Normal Like Me Research Services