Now I know I have written before about my love, hate relationship with social media, how I hate the way that behind the protection of a screen some find the courage to spurt hate and abuse that in real life they wouldn’t have the guts to do, the keyboard cowards as I like to call them.

But what I really want to talk about now is how much I love it and how social media has allowed me to create some amazing networks and some wonderful friendships.

Being a Mama to a complex child isn’t easy and whilst there are a number of reasons for this, one I struggle with greatly is the isolation. The moment your child gets diagnosed or you start facing challenges different to others your world become a lot smaller and a lot quieter.

So because of this and in hope of making my world and others larger, I have decided here on my blog to feature some amazing people that I have met online and who have blessed my life by encouraging me, challenging me and generally being incredibly inspirational to me.

I am going to label this series of blog posts, The Warriors.

Why Warrior?

Well, let me tell you briefly a little what life with a complex child entails, besides being a Mama or Dad you also become nurses, teachers, carers and advocates for your child. Your days become filled with appointments, medications, therapies and fighting for all of the above.

To be truthful before I had Olivia I had this belief that services, equipment, all things that children with complex needs needed were readily available and easily accessible. Well, never have I been so wrong, the naivety I had now makes me wish to hide under a blanket forever.

Days and days, endless phone calls, emails, letters just to get equipment my child needs to survive, to thrive. Endless days and hours advocating and having to repeat myself over and over again just to be heard. A chair to keep my son’s spine in position and to keep him safe “How dare I want such a thing”. Parents of children with complex needs have to become warrior’s themselves to battle for their warrior children.

So, with no further ado,

Welcome to my first Warrior Mama,

Let me introduce you to Danielle, otherwise known as the narrator and dedicated Mama of Evie.

It was a comment on another friends Instagram post that first introduced me to Dan, the way she was encouraging this other mom really struck my heart. It literally was a virtual hug with words, I then decided to pop over to @littlefoots_journey ,Danielle and Evie’s Instagram and haven’t looked back. Evie is a little girl whose smile is enough to lighted the darkness of days, her energy, her love of life and her mom’s singing bring me daily joy. Evie is a true warrior child, having suffered prenatal and childhood strokes Evie has very complex needs. Yet her condition does not define Evie, her smile, her cheekiness and her teasing of her Mama certainly does.

Danielle is just one of the most dedicated parents I have ever known, nothing is too much for her if it means Evie gets to have an experience. She cares for Evie with such enthusiasm, her singing is adorable, and my Daniel could listen to her read stories all day. When I play her Instagram stories, Daniel gets so excited.

What I love about Danielle is her desire to make the most of everyday and every experience for Evie, like myself she knows we are not guaranteed forever, but nothing is doom and gloom, it’s all about making those memories, something you know I am passionate about.

She makes some amazing sensory activities that I confess to have copied, her excitement getting Evie ready for theme days is contagious and as for Halloween, well let’s just say it’s incredible.

Danielle has walked some hard and scary moments with Evie, yet she does so with such transparency and courage than she inspires us all.

Her honesty is so refreshing, she admits when she is scared and that is so liberating for other parents who are walking similar journeys. Her words inspire and encourage so many.

Her love for Evie is evident is all that she does, and I honestly love her for it.

I have yet to physically meet Danielle something we are planning on remedying soon, yet I actually class her as one of my dearest friends. I don’t know if she realises how her messages encourage me and how much her friendship has blessed me.

So, for my first Warrior Mama post, I would love to introduce you all to Danielle, one inspiring, beautiful Warrior Mama.