I Have Been Nominated for a National Diversity Award!

About two weeks ago a lovely friend of mine contacted me and said they were going to be nominating me for a National Diversity Award, in the category of positive role model- Disability.

Wow! I was so surprised and shocked that someone wanted to nominate me.

I am honoured to have been nominated and to be listed next to some exceptional people as fellow nominees.

A banner photo with the words 'National Diversity Awards Congratulations Hannah Deakin you have been nominated for the 2021 positive role model award.' The background is black and gold.

Hannah Deakin- National Diversity Awards nominee banner

What Are the National Diversity Awards (NDA)?

The National Diversity Awards are awards to celebrate outstanding individuals and charities from diverse communities that need to be represented.They are hosted at a black tie event that is held annually at Liverpool Cathedral.

There are categories of positive role model, community organisation, lifetime achiever, diverse company of the year, entrepreneur of excellence and celebrity of the year award.

Positive role model and community organisation also have the subsections of: age, disability, gender, LGBT, race, religion and faith. With the later also including the subsection of multi-strand.

What Happens Next?

Each nominee needs to get people to vote for them. This involves people writing a few sentences on why they think the nominee deserves the award and filling in your name and email address. The voting stage closes on 4th June 2021.

The voting/ nominating process is a bit confusing. National Diversity Awards confirmed the following: ‘To vote for a nominee is the same process as to nominate. Once an initial ‘Nomination’ has been received, any ‘nominations’ received thereafter will be documented as a vote!’

I hope that makes things a bit clearer as I was a little confused myself.

If you would like to vote for me click here.

The next stage involves a short list of nominees being prepared. A judging panel assesses the nominees, the individual’s quantity and quality of votes and a short list announced in September 2021.

The shortlisted nominees are then invited to the award ceremony on 4th February 2022 where the winner will be announced.

ITV news are working in association with and supporting the National Diversity Awards.

Biography

I had to write a short biography for my nomination page. Below is what I wrote.

Hannah sitting in her powerchair, she is wearing a leather jacket and smiling at the camera. She is surrounded by pink and red flowers and the city of London is in the background. She has been nominated for a National Diversity Award.

Hannah up the shard

I just turned 30 years old, in February, and I am a powerchair user. Up to the age of 14, I was well and able bodied until I suffered an injury which caused Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and many other secondary complications including: a plated femur, following spiral fracture, Osteoporosis, Hypermobility Syndrome and Functional Neurological Disorder/Spasms . I spent 4 years in hospital, 3.5 years totally bedbound and 1.5 years in a neuro centre.

I have battled through daily physiotherapy for many years, very slowly I have progressed and 2.5 years ago I took my first step in 13.5 years.

I write a disability and lifestyle blog ‘Hannah’s Hope’, which I started in January 2018, with the aim of raising awareness of disability, sharing my experiences and giving ‘hope’ to others so they do not feel alone. I am passionate about making a difference, changing perceptions and promoting equality.

I have taken part in the Scope #WontBeForgotten campaign; talking about disabled people not being forgetten during the pandemic. I have been interviewed on Sky news and Channel 5 news during the pandemic about PPE for PAs. I write blog posts regularly and I have also written articles for Sky News, Posability magazine, Scope, Ability Today, Disability Horizons and Life on the Breadline.

I have also done a Tedx Talk on Values in Life; telling my story, appreciation of the simple things and highlighting the goals and ambitions of many disabled people. I am an ambassador for White Lodge (a charity that supports disabled people) and have done speeches at schools, Brownies, Guides and Scouts and increased children and young people’s understanding about disability; this year I am holding a year long fundraiser #BenHannah3530 (I wrote about my challenge here). The first stage of my challenge was to walk 30 lengths of our garden assisted by my four wheeled walker, specialist splints and the support of two people before my birthday (which I did).

The second stage will be to walk 35 lengths, in stages, by November 2021 which is held in rememberance of my brother’s would-be 35th birthday: we will be holding a charity event to raise money for Starlight Children’s Foundation, White Lodge (where I am an ambassador and attend for physiotherapy and hydrotherapy) and Child Bereavement UK (who support bereaved families and young people). So far I have raised almost £5000!

I have encouraged friends and family to get involved with their own 30 and or 35 challenges. I have had a great response with people doing 30 runs, cake sales, 30 cycle rides up a mountain, 30 hours of piano playing over 3 days. It has particularly developed a real street community in our road. Many people have planned events for the summer: 30 mile walks and plant sales, etc. Here is the link to my fundraising page: #BenHannah3530

For the last 7 years I have made hundreds of handmade cards and raised several thousand pounds for Starlight Children’s Foundation who granted my wish of a family holiday, my first in eight and a half years, due to being too unwell. I have also raised several thousand pounds for White Lodge, competeting in several Superhero Series events and one year organising two teams for #TeamHannah.

I only did one GCSE exam bedbound while in hospital, being turned halfway through (my peers did 10 subjects while I could only do 1!), however since being predominantly at home, since the age of 21, I have done my Science GCSE then AAT level 2, 3 and 4 part time at college with support. I have just completed some work experience, one day a week for 3 hours, and now have got my first ever job! For 4-5 hours a week; something that I didn’t know whether I would ever be well enough to do! I have also just got my MAAT status confirmed, which for me, is a great achievement looking back at my level of education in my teenage years.

To vote for me or check out some of the other incredible nominees click here.

Hannah x