Dear diary: Some special memories

Well, last Sunday there was a special ceremony at the Stradey Park hotel in Llanelli, South Wales, which I was very lucky to go along to since I was one of the 12 people who were given special recognition for overcoming challenges they have encountered in their lives. 

Some of Wales’ bravest and most inspirational children and young people were recognised and awarded, some stories bringing tears to the eyes of everyone in the room whilst others filled the place with laughter. 

The special programme ‘Dathlu Dewrder’ aired on S4C on Friday night, it was a truly lovely programme which can be seen on catch up here. 

DEAR DIARY: SOME SPECIAL MEMORIES

27/01/19

THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING SPECIAL

Let me take you back to the end of January, my mum had been frantically cleaning the house which instantly made me think that something was about to happen.

Little did I know that a camera crew would turn up on our doorstep the next morning to let me know about the award they wanted to give me and 11 other children and young people across Wales in a programme they called ‘Dathlu Dewrder’ which translates to Celebrating bravery.

It’s safe to say that I was honoured especially since this was the first programme of it’s sorts to be made in Welsh. 

As if the award itself wasn’t enough, I was then told that a surprise trip to London had been arranged for my mum and I and not only that, I was also told I’d be going to The One Show studio to meet presenter, Alex Jones. 

I often don’t know what to say but this left me speechless in a completely new way. 

14/02/19

THE START OF OUR LONDON ADVENTURE

Fast forward to February when my mum and I made our way down to the capital. We spent that evening with the TV crew which was a lovely way to kick start our trip before going along to the BBC the next day. 

15/02/19

THE BIG DAY

I woke up on Friday with butterflies in my stomach, I had always wanted to go to the BBC studios in London and I couldn’t quite believe that a visit there was on the agenda for the day ahead.

After filming our arrival at the broadcasting house and getting stuck in some revolving doors (of course that would happen to us), we made our way to The One Show’s green room where Dolly Parton would be getting ready later that evening. 

Photos of some of the show’s guests lined the walls, it felt quite special to be in a room where so many iconic people have stood.

The cameras were set up and when Alex arrived, we had a lovely chat about sight loss, blogging, university and everything inbetween. 

Alex used to present some children’s TV shows on S4C and I remember watching her as I grew up, I really admire the way she’s built her career so it was such an honour to meet her, she really is a lovely lady. 

We then made our way to the studio itself which was a lot smaller than we all imagined it to be.

Although the array of colours and the bright lights didn’t do my sensitive eyes any favours, it was amazing to be there and to see what goes on behind the scenes.

A few more clips were filmed for the item the crew were working on for the ceremony and of course a few photos had to be taken.

Apparently I looked quite at home on that ever iconic green sofa so watch this space!

I can’t quite believe how many amazing memories I was able to create on this day, it’s safe to say that it’s one I’ll remember forever and I’m so grateful to those who managed to make it happen.

17/03/19

THE CEREMONY

After months of hard work from the team over at Tinopolis, the day of the ceremony finally arrived.

The room was filled with some well known faces and of course, so many inspiring children and young people.

Everyone had such unique stories and I felt really honoured to be one of those who were featured.

It can be a little daunting when you have to stand up in front of a room full of people, some who appear on TV almost everyday so when it came to my story, I was shaking like a leaf but thankfully, I didn’t trip or fall which means that it went well in my books.

My mum guided me on stage followed by the lovely Llinos Lee who presented me with my award.

Even more special memories were created during the evening and I’m still quite baffled that I was one of the people they wanted to feature.

The 5 hours of travelling was definitely worth it to be a part of such a special evening.

I just want to say huge congratulations to everyone involved.

23/03/19

REFLECTING

I’ve felt a rush of emotions over the past week and as I’m sat here writing this, I feel quite overwhelmed because I’ve been able to create such amazing memories over the past few months thanks to the amazing team who have been working their socks off to make this programme the best it can be.

But it has also made me feel quite emotional and the fact that others see me as being ‘brave’ and ‘inspirational’ in some way creates a feeling that I can’t describe

I don’t see myself as being brave or inspiring in any way and those aren’t just modest words. 

Life with sight loss is all I’ve ever known, it’s what’s normal to me, it’s my reality. 

I don’t see myself as being brave because, to me, the challenges that are put in front of me come hand in hand with my life as a disabled person and my mind is constantly telling me that I have no choice but to overcome them.

I stumble and fall (sometimes quite literally – #BlindGirlProblems) but when I come face to face with those hurdles and challenges, I do everything I can to overcome them.

I have setbacks as does everyone but I learn from them and most often than not, I come out stronger on the other side. 

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In the last 17 years and a half, I’ve lost a considerable amount of eyesight and it all became more real when I was registered blind/severely sight impaired nine years ago.

I’ve shed a lot of tears, I’ve felt defeated and lonely and I still feel incredibly overwhelmed by it all at times. 

But I’ve become stronger over the years thanks to the help and support of my family and friends who are true gems and if I’ve learned one thing in my sight loss journey so far, it’s that even when you’re in your darkest moments and you feel like everything is against you, it’s possible to overcome the toughest of challenges.

Things like this help me to acknowledge how far I’ve come and I’ve realised that I need to give myself a lot more credit because, right now, I don’t do that half as much as I should.

Milestones such as this one shouldn’t be the only time I give myself a pat on the back. We all deserve to applaud ourselves sometimes.

Even if I haven’t reached where I want to be just quite yet, I’m doing the best I can and I’m doing that as a severely sight impaired person in a world which wasn’t designed for me and fellow blind/VI people, that can be quite a challenge.

We’re all doing the best we can and that’s all anyone can ever ask for.

The moral of these awards were to prove that even though some people face life’s toughest challenges, with a smile, a song or a blog, they can be prevailed.

All the children and young people who were recognised in this programme are proof that no matter what challenge or hurdle stands before you, it’s possible to overcome them. They proved that even your biggest challenge doesn’t have to be a barrier to what you want to achieve in life.  

There were so many unique stories, so many lovely surprises for everyone involved and I think every individual story can touch someone’s heart in some way.

All those children and young people are incredible in their own way and I feel really honoured to have been featured alongside them. 

I can’t thank the crew over at Tinopolis enough for creating such a lovely programme and recognising people with such powerful stories and voices which deserve to be heard. 

And to everyone who continues to support me, I hope you know how grateful I am.

Diolch yn fawr iawn – Thank you so much ❤️

Elin x