Am I the Best Writer in the MADS Awards Finals? You Decide!

Wednesday was a manic day: my first day back at work in 15 months (postponed by a day because of Martin’s back problems); co-hosting #PNDHour about emotional support following baby loss; and the thrill of discovering I am a finalist in the Best Writer category at the Mum and Dad (MAD) Blog Awards!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate me – I am so grateful.

As regular readers of my blog will have heard me say before, I write for me as a catharsis for my grief, and as a way of raising awareness of Hugo’s Legacy. Some of my posts are quite challenging to read; I am immensely grateful that you do read them, and that even when you are not sure what to say you still leave comments of love and support.

What I value most about your support is the knowledge that Hugo matters, he continues to matter, and that he will never, ever be forgotten.

Like all categories in the MAD finals (congratulations to all the finalists!), the Best Writer category is full of brilliantly talented bloggers. The winner will be chosen by vote so I would like to ask you to take a moment to follow this link and vote for whomever you think is most deserving.

Obviously I would love for that vote to be for me, but I try to keep these things in perspective: all the awards in the world will not give me what I want most in the world – Hugo back in my arms.

That said, I cannot deny that being a finalist in such prestigious awards is a fantastic way of promoting one’s blog – and therefore of raising awareness of the issues that are so very important to me.

In the past year, Hugo’s Legacy has achieved so much – much more than I could have dreamed of.

I am proud to be the #MatExp language champion, challenging professionals to reconsider the words they use and the impact they can have; health care professionals have reflected on and changed their practise as a result of my posts; more people have heard of HELLP syndrome; readers say they feel better able to be sensitive towards those who have suffered a bereavement (whether a baby, or anyone of any age).

This excerpt from an email I received last month from a mother who also had HELLP syndrome, and whose son also sadly died sums up why I blog:

I am plagued with a range of emotions, most of which I couldn’t put into words until I read your blog. It was like you had taken the words out of my mouth. Thank-you from the bottom of my broken heart for being a voice for those of us who can’t speak.

Voting is open until midnight on Friday June 26. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on September 18.

Thank you! And once again, congratulations and good luck to all.

Me and Hugo