| Community Award Runners-Up
Our judges had an incredibly tough time choosing from the shortlist of potential Community Award Winners. So, to give credit where credit is due, here are our runners-up stories. Mum Of The Year Runners-Up
Donna The boys were moved to a hospital hundreds of miles from the family home, to ensure they received the best specialist care, and Donna faithfully made the trip every day. While doing this, she still managed to keep her friends up-to-date with their progress through her blog. The boys are now able to be cared for at home, although one twin is still on oxygen.
Delwyn Her youngest son has had frequent trips to hospital and she herself has been hospitalised with the terrifying illness, Meningitis. Her husband and eldest son have also had to spend time in hospital and throughout all of these trials, and more besides, Delwyn managed to secure a fantastic new job. Carer Of The Year Runner-Up
Ruth Ruth is Community Leader for iVillage and is famed for the welcome and support she gives to everyone who uses her message boards. One person nominating writes: "No matter what is going on in her life, she always finds time to offer kind, encouraging, supportive words. Everything she says is logical, rational and well researched. She never comes across as hostile, judgemental, or condescending, even when she has been up all night with her mum." Another writes: "She is truly amazing and puts her own health aside to solely care for her mum all day every day and I think she deserves recognition for this." Slimmer Of The Year Runners-Up
Jane Jane has four children and has lost the weight by following Weight Watchers and remaining motivated. As well as raising her children and motivating her online buddies, she holds parties to raise money for a local charity and volunteers at her nearest school.
Julia She lost so much weight that she was left with excess skin and made the brave decision to have a tummy tuck and muscle repair operation. She's a different woman! Go back to: Community Awards 2008 winners. Special Recognition Runners-Up
Anne* Anne suffers with an illness that sees her restricted to a wheelchair and she is raising her baby alone, after the baby's father left her during pregnancy. She is a dedicated breast-feeder and is attachment parenting. Anne is incredibly knowledgeable as a parent and in general. She has a particular interest in green living and is trying her best to make the world a greener place.
She never complains, and continues to support all of her friends online no matter what life throws at her.
Nic Sadly, her beloved daughter was born more than 12 weeks early. Nic's online friends watched with admiration as Nic coped with this unexpected challenge and eventually her little girl was allowed home. Then, as her first Christmas approached, the Nic's daughter caught an awful virus and tragically passed away on Boxing Day. Despite her own terrible loss, Nic stayed an active member of the community, posting updates and helping other people with their babies and even coming along to a group meet-up. Spirit of survival Runners-Up
Jenny Jenny has been left to raise their three daughters alone, the eldest was just eight at the time. Jenny has carried on with life, remaining as upbeat as possible for her children, making sure they always feel safe and secure. All three daughters have had to undergo tests to see if they are likely to suffer the same sudden death as their father - so far the tests have been clear.
Naomi Naomi was just about to undergo chemotherapy for her Multiple Sclerosis when she found out that she was pregnant. Naomi and her husband, Lee, were delighted but it did mean putting off the chemotherapy treatment. During her pregnancy, Naomi suffered with SPD [chronic pelvic pain] then broke her ankle when she was seven-months-pregnant, restricting her to a wheelchair for the rest of the pregnancy. She then developed high blood pressure, and baby Kya arrived early! Shortly after this, Naomi's mum was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and sadly died just two weeks later. She has recently, finally, received the chemo treatment and has had a horrible Plasma Transfusion, keeping her away from Kya for a week. Wonderfully, the transfusion and treatment has meant Naomi is starting to improve and can now walk a couple of steps. One member wanted to highlight the wonderful support of Lee, too. "He is a self-employed tiler, and looks after both Naomi and Kya so fabulously. He makes both their lunch for them before he goes to work, stores it in a mini-fridge so that Naomi can reach it. "He does the cooking, the cleaning and loves both Naomi and Kya to distraction. "Truly an inspiring couple if ever I knew one."
Donna For many, many months into little Caden's life, Donna had to get up every half an hour throughout the night to give Caden his medication. She has been at his side for every bout of surgery and is always willing him on with her positivity. Caden has had to stay in hospital many times, and Donna has to juggle his needs with those of her older child. Despite such a busy life, Donna always has time for her friends on iVillage and is always happy to offer advice, virtual hugs and support. Caden still wears 'newborn' clothes and got his first tooth at 19 months. All the mums on the Mums' Club May 2006 message board are so proud of him and his fighting spirit and love of life. And, says a member who nominated Donna; "he gets this because of the love and encouragement that his mum has shown. "She's never given up, never given into self-pity and she keeps Caden progressing with her devotion to him. "He and his mum really do epitomise the spirit of survival." Go back to: Community Awards 2008 winners. Outstanding Friend Runners-Up
Elizabeth "I was blessed to have twins, and without them my life would not be complete as it is. However, shortly after the birth, I found out that my husband was cheating on me. "I took it hard but despite my moaning and complaining, she stood by me and also helped me to realise that I have two wonderful children who I need to be strong for. "With us both being first-time mums, it has been tough to begin with, but we have been there for each other through the thick and thin. "She has been not only a good friend, but like a sister to me. We have never met in person, but aim to soon. "Without her, I really would not be the person I am today."
Vicky "Personally she is someone extremely important in my life that I admire greatly. In real life we would have never met, the distance between our homes is significant, we are of different lifestyle and income brackets and none of that bothers her. "She judges people on who they are not any of the material things. She dedicates time to her friends, imparts great wisdom and honesty. She is a fantastic mother, a wife with the right balance she is all a modern woman should be and excellent role model. "She is not a person who seeks recognition but definitely someone who deserves to know just how important to friends she is. I think the past year I have had, with two close family members on life support machines, financial hardship, eldest child going into secondary education, I would never have got this side of that year without her, she was my sounding post and venting board and allowed me to keep the family going. Two years ago before I even knew her real name she spent hours sorting out a work disciplinary issue with no worries about staying up late. "There is no way I could ever put into words how good a friend she is because she would just tell me to shut up and pass me off with your the same, and that's simply not true she is the best friend a person can have, she has held my head above water and brought me out smiling the other side - and her cooked breakfasts rock - even after the hang over she gave me from the night before!" Go back to: Community Awards 2008 winners. |