MARVELLOUSMums

Nic Manning

Carol Barraclough

My mum – my best friend, my coffee pal, my brick. She became the dual parent when I lost my dad in 1994. We lost her to cancer in 2015. She taught me how to be kind, funny and supportive. More importantly, how to be strong and when to walk away –traits that I now share with my son, whom she only enjoyed for 16 months.

Mother’s Day for me is about my brilliant, dearly missed mum. And my son; the very reason I can enjoy Mother’s Day again.

Jon Simpson

Life doesn’t come with a manual, it comes with a mother. Shout out to my mum Fran – although mum lives in Mallorca she’s always there to support me from miles away. Mum and Grandma gave me my love of cooking, showing me what to do in the kitchen from age five. Mum and I still love to cook together but I’m head chef now!

I’d love to give a shout out to Nic Manning, my lovely wife, and mother to our little bundle of joy Jenson. Jenson was born in October last year, six weeks earlier than expected, but he’s been happy and healthy since birth. Both myself and Nic are wheelchair users but I’m a tetraplegic, so most of the jobs are done by Nic. I don’t think she realises how much she does for little Jenson, and for me. She’s a super mum and a legend and we love her very much.

Love from Nathan.

Amelia Peckham

Aged 19, Amelia (now 36) had a quad bike accident, smashing her T12 vertebra, causing incomplete paralysis. Alongside her mother, Amelia founded Coolcrutches.com to help others.

Amelia is also an amazing mum to two young boys and deserves a massive shout out for all she does, with a constant smile on her face!

Love from Andrew, Rufus and Ralph

Jo Neale

To me, being a mum means encouraging my children, Caitlin and Eddie, to follow their hearts and find happiness in life, in whatever form that, may take, and teaching them that although things might not always go to plan, there’s always a silver lining.

Beth Lamond

Last November my stepdad suffered a SCI and was in hospital for six months. My mum Judith travelled nearly two hours every day to visit him and when he came home, she played a huge part in his recovery. He wouldn’t be where he is now without her love and determination. Unfortunately, my mum suddenly passed away in November. She was amazing and I only hope to be half the woman she was.

Happy Mother’s Day, Mam.

Emma McGuinness

Being a mum to this little chap has taught me what love is. He’s so funny and smart and brave and thoughtful –he’s my very favourite person to spend time with and it’s just such a privilege to be his mum and watch him grow. My love for him also reminds me to love myself – I find self-care is so important as a parent as it gives me the patience and awareness I need to be able to offer him the best version of myself that I can.

Laura Griffiths

Being a mother to Maida (five) and Etta (three) is all about learning, listening, leading, laughing, loving, and living in the moment, as well as a whole lot of patience. They have taught me more about myself than I could’ve ever learnt in a lifetime without them. Thank you, girls!

Kara Scott

Naomie Conway

Being a mum is absolutely the best job in the world. Marcus is such a lovely, inquisitive and happy fellow and a joy to be around. Every day he makes me laugh. His best joke so far has to be: What happens when a mermaid eats too much marmite? They become marmaids!!!

I have been both an able-bodied and disabled mum. Having full use of my body made parenting a lot easier, but I desperately wanted to be the best parent I could after paralysis. This was difficult as there were so many things I couldn’t do now and in my mind I was being a “bad” mum as I just wanted to do what everyone else did. It took time to realise my disability didn’t change the love I have for my children and my kids don’t need what everyone else has got. As long as they are loved, that’s what really counts.