A Parent Carer journey from NSPCWT's lovely Dani:

 It was around the middle of the pandemic, the year 2020, when my boy Richie-Jon was 18 months old that I started to get those niggly thoughts and the gut instinct that something was just a little a-miss with my son. 

As expected, those around me tried to convince me (and themselves) that it was just because of covid, and he hadn’t interacted with his peers like normal, so he would soon catch up. The months carried on, the world recovered yet he was still behind; he still had his funny little ways. His peers had all carried on with their development but Richie-Jon was just a little stuck and I became determined that I would fight his corner. 

I remember thinking, “I know parenting is supposed to be hard, but I don’t think its supposed to be this hard.” I felt so alone, made to feel like I was going mad and I had days when I wanted to give up everything and run away. 

Then I found Springboard, and for the first time someone placed their hand on my shoulder and said, “We can help you; I can see what you're talking about”. I burst into tears and that fireball in my tummy relighted. I was ready to fight for him again. 

Although there are days that I grieve for what I thought parenting would be, I am so grateful Richie-Jon has introduced me to this world of SEN. The people I have met on this journey are the kindest and most fierce group in the world. It feels amazing to be united with others and I am determined to make a change for our kids. 

💖Love is so powerful it really is a miracle💖

Written June 2023