Hayley Goleniowska from Truro has been shortlisted in the health and social care category of the UK Blog Awards for her blog, Downs Side Up.

Now in its fourth year, the 2017 UK Blog Awards is the largest event of its kind for the UK blogging scene, celebrating the best creative writers, photographers and vloggers across 17 different categories. Hayley, who started writing in 2012, was selected as one of the eight finalists for the health and social care category.

“I began my blog initially to buy precious time for other new parents with a baby with Down’s syndrome, not wanting them to feel the desperation I did in the early days, through fear and ignorance and worry,” said Hayley. “Now it is a mouthpiece for those with DS, a campaign space for equal healthcare, unbiased support for prospective and new parents, inclusive advertising, educational tips, relevant book reviews and so on.

"We do a Facebook live broadcast each weeknight which Natty, ten, hosts. I write for medical journals and books about working with patients with a learning disability and the role of learning disability nurses.”

She added: “I find being a finalist a very humbling, almost embarrassing, experience. I get very emotional at being considered in this light, I am just a mum on a mission to change the world for her daughter. That said, being a finalist gets more people talking about Down’s syndrome, thus educating and busting a few more myths as we go and allowing us to gain publicity for our campaigns.

“Natty is the true star, as is her sister who wrote a book about having a sibling with the condition. She’s been on national TV many times, her book has been sold around the world, she is a model, both girls do talks to medical professionals about the importance of their language, and Natty has been to the lord Mayor of London’s special kids fancy dress party. We also took part in a BBC documentary last year. None of which flusters them.”

Panels of experts in each category sector will judge all shortlisted entries and Hayley will find out if she has been crowned the winner at the awards event in London on April 21.