A tiny boast (for those who like Good News)

[BrontëParsonage]

My DD1 is about to turn 16 (Christmas baby) and was placed with me more than 15 years ago. She is permanently disabled as a consequence of her in utero experiences and she is neurodivergent, among other things (we are slowly and unwillingly collecting an A-Z compendium of diagnoses). We have had many, many ups and downs (more of the latter) since puberty hit (and we’re not out of the woods yet as supported lodgings post-16 are currently on the cards) BUT this week, DD has won a major national Girlguiding achievement (I don’t want to be too specific as it will be very outing). DD beat off competition from many, many girls from all walks of life from all over the UK. She worked so hard to make her dream a reality.

It is a jaw dropping opportunity that will see her visit the Houses of Parliament to speak to MPs about the lived experiences of girls today, for example. Girlguiding has been a constant in DD’s life since she joined as a Rainbow a decade ago. In my/our personal experience, it has been the most inclusive, kind and tolerant organisation. And I write also as the parent of AD2, who is also diagnosed with ADHD and autism, and, at the age of seven, has already racked up expulsions from a number of extracurricular activities who have not been able to cope with her and her behaviours.

Anyway, I hope you will all forgive me this not-so-humble brag post! 😅

This Brown Owl and mum of 3 ADs, all speeding into puberty, is absolutely delighted to read this post, in fact I can barely type for tears. Congratulations to your wonderful girl, I can imagine just how hard she worked knowing what goes into these things. Well done to her Leaders, I am so pleased to read your experience of Guiding, this is down to them. And well done to you! Look at what you've done!

@CharlieSays13 ahhh, thanks so much. And Brownie leaders deserve their body weight in chocolate at Christmas (I aim to deliver as much as I can, having been a regular parent-volunteer for AD2’s pack 😱).

Yes, AD1’s Rangers leaders are absolutely awesome: they took 50 (!) girls (Guides and Rangers) wild camping to an island off Sweden for a week in the summer. They all gave up their annual leave to do so. The next trip is to the Alps in 2025 and they have configured the entire trip so that AD1, who has a severe disability, can participate fully.

Funnily enough, there are several LAC and adopted girls in the whole guiding family here and it seems to be the only extracurricular activity where they are fully accepted.

Congratulations! Wonderful achievements from all of you!

I am also part of the scout movement in my home country (Sweden, actually). It's a great organization.

@SkaneTos the island my AD1 stayed on (Vässäro) is owned by the Scouting Association of Sweden. She had an absolute ball but she never got to swap a necker - so if you have a Swedish Scout or Guide who would like to swap a necker with an English Girlguiding Ranger, then I’d be delighted to facilitate and pay for all the postage!

You shout your brag from the rooftops! Well done to your wonderful daughter!

@Noimaginationforaun thank you! We have to take our silver linings when we can!

Oh, well done Parsonagette! And you, @BrontëParsonage . You deserve to be proud. From one parent of an unwilling collector of diagnoses to another. I think girl guides are wonderful- I know they get a lot of stick on MN for their stance on boys with gender dysphoria, and I don't agree with their stance, but they do such good things for girls.

@BrontëParsonage

That's an amazing achievement for anyone, let alone a young person like AD1.
She will be an amazing advocate.
You all deserve your moment of glory here- she couldn't have done it without you.
The pack sounds amazing. My son went through beavers to Scouts - his pack was also brilliant, he got so much out of it. And I was eternally grateful for the breaks that camp gave me.
At its best its a great movement.
If she knows that you post here tell her all your internet pals are well impressed and proud of her and her awesome mum.

@Ted27 thank you so much, that means a lot. Funnily enough, that’s what her national title will be! Yes, I agree re: camps etc and the Scouting/Girlguiding movements. They’re seen as very rigid and entrenched in their thinking as movements, in my opinion, but, genuinely, I/we have found them to be so tolerant. Interestingly, DD1 pursued a parallel pathway of Brownies and Cubs (the boys got to have more fun and do more adventurous activities) for a couple of years but then opted for Girlguiding rather than Scouts.

Thank you, I will try to wrestle DD1’s noise-cancelling headphones from her ears to tell her that the internet thinks I rock! 🤣

@Catleveltired agreed, agreed, agreed. The whole body dysphoria issue is a minefield. I met up this week with a friend who is younger than me by several years (I’m not old) whose cancer has returned, is incurable and now has a prognosis of up to two years. Her young person, who is also autistic, has recently socially transitioned.

@BrontëParsonage
I went to scout camp at Vässarö when I was 16!
Such a beautiful island! I had the time of my life.

I don't have children myself yet, so unfortunately I can't help you with swapping of a necker.
I hope your daughter will have a lot of fun in the Alps!