My husband James and I welcomed our baby girl, Amelia, into the world in August 2025. During my pregnancy, we didn’t know she would be born with Down Syndrome. We found out about her diagnosis just a few hours after she was born.

When I first heard her diagnosis, I was scared. Scared of the health challenges she might face. Scared of the milestones she might not reach. Scared of not knowing what her future will look like… or what ours as parents would become. And ultimately, as a first-time mum with no real understanding or experience of Down Syndrome, I was so scared I wouldn’t be enough for her.

I was terrified I would fail her as her mother.

And for a while, I was sad and I grieved. I grieved the version of motherhood I had imagined for myself, and the future I thought I had lost. I had to process everything and adjust to my new reality. And that took time.

But as the poem ‘Welcome to Holland’ says - “if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn’t go to Italy, you will never be free to enjoy they very special, the very lovely things about Holland”.

Since Amelia’s diagnosis, I’ve realised that the fear I felt in those early days was never about my daughter — it was about everything I had been taught to believe about Down Syndrome.

What I have learnt since then is something completely different.

I have learnt that Down Syndrome does not define Amelia. She is first and foremost a happy, determined, and cheeky little girl who has brought more joy into our lives than we ever imagined.

I have learnt that although this journey may look different, it does not mean it is any less worthy. The different and unexpected path is still a beautiful one.

I have learnt that abilities should never be underestimated, and that the expectations society places on individuals with Down Syndrome are often far smaller than what they are truly capable of.

But my biggest lesson has been that Down Syndrome didn’t take anything from me. It GAVE me Amelia. And she is the most beautiful, the most incredible, and the most perfect thing I have ever had in my entire life so far. And I don’t need to prove Amelia’s worth to the world - because her worth is never up for debate !

Down Syndrome is only one small part of Amelia. It’s not who she is, it’s simply something she has. And it’s the least interesting thing about her !

I’m running the Antrim Coast Half Marathon for 2 reasons:

Firstly, to raise money for the charity Special Delivery — a small local organisation that supports parents who receive a diagnosis of Down Syndrome for their baby (both pre- and post- natal). Shortly after Amelia was born, while we were still in hospital processing the news, we received our Special Delivery gift box. It was a small but incredibly meaningful gesture — a reminder that we were not alone in our journey, and that our baby was something to celebrate.

Secondly, I am running to teach my daughter an important lesson I hope she carries with her throughout her life -

It doesn’t matter how good or bad you are at something. If you have a goal you want to achieve — and you work hard, stay determined, stay motivated, and surround yourself with support — you will achieve it.

And it does not matter how long it takes.

I am not a runner, and never have been. I’m not good at it. I’m not fast at it. But I’m going to be doing it for Amelia. For me, this run is not about performance or pace. It’s about showing up for my daughter and challenging myself at the same time. To put my own words into practice and give examples of when her mummy has achieved a goal she set herself, despite how difficult I found it. My husband James will also be running alongside me for support - support for me, for Amelia, and for our chosen charity.

So I’m running this half marathon for you, my girl - to celebrate you, to challenge perceptions of Down Syndrome, and to show you that nothing in this world should ever limit what you dream of doing !

You amaze me with your strength and determination every day and you make me so incredibly proud to be your mummy. I hope I can make you proud too !

Thank you for taking time to read our story. And thank you for your donations, no matter how big or small