Her achievements, her unyielding spirit and her infectious joy have taught me that hope, acceptance and kindness are the most powerful forces of all.

As I count down to Isabella's 19th birthday, I recall our journey together; a path paved with profound challenges yet carpeted by unparalleled joys. This journey, while it has diverted me far from the person I once was, has filled my life with a richness I would never have experienced, which I wouldn't trade for the world.

Navigating the uncertainty of raising a child with Down’s syndrome and autism, I've been transformed in ways I could never have anticipated. The early days felt like a galaxy away from my former self, each sleepless night a step further into the unknown. Staring into the mirror, the reflection gazing back bore little resemblance to the person I remembered, marked by the physical and emotional toll of our journey.

This road has been laden with hurdles, each one testing my resolve and my very sense of self. It's demanded re-evaluation… of everything; from my personal relationships to my career, my health and my faith. Yet, amidst these trials, I've been privy to the most profound expressions of love and beauty, experiences that seemed to reserve a special place just for us, moments of immense splendour and connection.

The world has shown us both its kindest face and its cruelest sneer. I've learned that the protective instinct of a parent knows no bounds, and the desire to make the world a better, kinder place for Isabella has become a ceaseless quest. It has been a relentless race against time, diagnoses and societal barriers, yet punctuated by moments of sheer triumph when Isabella shattered expectations and redefined her milestones on her own terms.

In my darkest days of doubt and exhaustion, where I feared we could go no further, it was Isabella who illuminated the steps forward. Her achievements, her unyielding spirit and her infectious joy have taught me that hope, acceptance and kindness are the most powerful forces of all. Through every challenge, we've been bound together with strength and determination, emerging not just intact but transformed.

As I reflect on our special relationship, ahead of Isabella's 19th birthday on Thursday (21 March, World Down’s Syndrome Day), I stand in awe of the person it has shaped me to be. Special needs parenting, with all its upheaval and all its beauty, has not just changed me—it has redefined the essence of who I am. And for that, I am eternally grateful. Isabella has not just enriched my life, she has made it infinitely more meaningful.

As we grow older together, I know that the future will be uncertain. Through lived experiences we become wiser but age brings inevitable physical and mental decline. That said, I do not fear what’s in front of me - the world is learning to embrace diversity - and my hopes and dreams for a better society remain.?

Happy birthday my baby girl and I will continue to give everything I have for you. Always x