A night I will never forget!
You might be thinking. How did Kerry get to go to the UK’s premier diversity awards or what an earth is she talking about I have never heard of the National diversity Awards before just now!
From the moment the email pinged into my inbox. ‘Heading ‘Evidence: The National Diversity Awards 2021’ . I have pinched myself over and over in disbelief that my name was in the thousands of nominations. ME…..
The email continued to say – Dear Nominee, Congratulations for being nominated for The Positive Role Model Award in disability for the UK’s premier diversity awards!’.
What came next in the July. I will be completely honest, shocked me. if I hadn’t pinched myself enough before now I was crying into my cereal. I had been shortlisted as a finalist out of 52.000 nominations for the positive role model in disability!
so what is the national diversity awards? – The National Diversity Awards – a prestigious black tie event, which celebrates the excellent achievements of grass- root communities that tackle the issues in today’s society, giving them recognition for their dedication and hard work. Charities, role models and community heroes will be honoured at the ceremony showcasing their outstanding devotion to enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion; thus embracing the excellence of all our citizens irrespective of race, faith, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability and culture. The concept for the National Diversity Awards arose when The Diversity Group identified an urgent need for more positive role models to be actively promoted, with the aim to empower and inspire the wide breadth of diverse communities across the UK. These awards are for people who inspire other individuals through their work, through their commitment to helping others, through their infectious personalities and through adversity.
I couldn’t believe it. My name, was one of the 8 listed in my category!
Ticket confirmed, hotel booked. I wasn’t going to miss this. I may never get the opportunity to go to an awards ceremony like this ever again.
The awards night was held in Liverpool. In the iconic Liverpool Cathedral on the 4th February 2022. We decided to travel on the same day as the awards. It was an early start for us and having Muscular dystrophy a progressive muscle wasting condition, I can’t just get up and walk it or shake it off.
Yes, it was very hard on my body being in my wheelchair from 9am until around 2am. And my body took great pleasure in reminding me I am not in my 20’s anymore. But, wow what an incredibly inspiring night we had at the National Diversity Awards, they definitely know how to throw an event.
It wasn’t mine to win this year, but I am so incredibly honored and humbled to have made it to the final 8 in my category for Positive Role Model for Disability out of over 52,000 total nominations.
I feel extremely privileged to have shared the 10th Anniversary of the awards with other individuals and organisations making the vital and impactful differences needed to their communities across the UK. A huge congratulations to all the other finalists and the winners.
I will of course continue to use my voice and platform to campaign and to be an advocate for disabled people, because yes I do believe that we should be able to live in world that is inclusive. Whether it’s Changing Places toilets, women’s health, better accessible housing or accessibility, if I can help change just one persons life to be more independent the I will be happy Kerry!
I have come back from Liverpool even more fired up and motivated than ever!
Until next time
Kisses K
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Kerry Thompson - My Life, Kerry's Way. 