So tomorrow there is an awfully big chance that I will look a massive tatie on TV. I took the opportunity to talk about Nate being undiagnosed on ITV North East and the impact of SWAN UK. It's being shown tomorrow. And all over the country local news will feature an undiagnosed child from their area. Videos of 2 families are being shown on Daybreak, and hopefully the gorgeous Eiden makes an appearance on Daybreak, if he's well enough. Though this shows the unpredictable health of our little swans. If this doesn't raise awareness I don't know what will!
When Nate was first born I was desperate for support. And, to be frank, there wasn't any. No one could tell me about life with an undiagnosed child, though at that stage we were expecting a diagnosis, and I don't think we were even aware you could be "undiagnosed". I tried setting up an online support forum. We got a few members, but I was a bit clueless as to how to get people onboard who were in a similar situation. I didn't know how I could reach people. Then SWAN UK reactivated. A lifeline. Finally people who understood. People willing to talk openly about their experiences. New friends. I can't explain what it means to me to be able to check FB or twitter and see what everyone is up to. To read their stories, laugh and cry with them. I often feel my family are on a boat, floating, just about. On occasion that boat develops a leak, we panic, then plug the gap. Support from every source available helps plug that gap, and SWAN is one of those places.
And that, my friends, is why I dont mind looking a tatie tomorrow.
Xoxo
