Life Has Its Ups and Downs: A Personal Reflection on Resilience and Growth

As the festive season approaches, many of us begin to wind down, looking forward to time with family and friends, moments of rest, and the joy that this time of year brings. It’s a period of reflection too, thinking back over the past year — its challenges, its triumphs, and the changes we’ve experienced.

For me, this time of year holds a profound significance. Two years ago, my family faced one of the most devastating moments of our lives. Our baby girl, Clara, was born asleep. The loss of a child is a life-altering experience. It shifts your world in ways you never expect. Processing such grief is difficult for anyone, but for those of us who are neurodivergent or living with chronic conditions, it can feel even more overwhelming. Our minds work differently, and that difference adds layers to how we process pain, emotion, and change.

In moments like these, you’re forced to confront adversity in ways you never imagined. Adversity isn’t new to me. Life has handed me my fair share of challenges, but losing Clara was unlike anything else. It made me rethink everything — my approach to life, business, and even the idea of resilience itself. In those darkest moments, I had to draw on my neurodivergent strengths.

For so long, we hear about how being neurodivergent presents obstacles, but in this situation, it was my neurodivergence that helped me keep going. It’s not about "bouncing back" — it’s about adapting, rethinking, and finding strength in places you didn’t know existed. Over the past two years, I’ve had to lean on that strength, and looking back, I’m proud of the journey.

If you had told me two years ago where I’d be today, I wouldn’t have believed you. The path hasn’t been straightforward. It’s been filled with difficult decisions, uncomfortable truths, and moments where I questioned everything. But it’s also been filled with growth.

There have been incredible milestones along the way. The evolution of SEND Group into what it is today is something I never take for granted. We’ve made bold decisions — some of them very difficult. But with every challenge, we’ve found a way to push forward.

Take the Dyslexia Show, for example. The 2023 and 2024 shows weren’t just successful — they were transformative. From the moment we started, it was clear this event had a purpose beyond a simple exhibition. It became a space for parents, educators, and individuals to connect, learn, and feel seen. The success of the Dyslexia Show paved the way for something even bigger — the Neurodiversity Show. The shift wasn’t just about expansion; it was about inclusion, about recognising that our community is larger and more diverse than any one label.

On the business front, we’ve seen the continued development of Read Successfully. We've taken bold steps to push it forward, even when the path ahead wasn’t clear. We’ve also made one of our biggest moves yet — the acquisition of SEN Books. This wasn’t just about growth. It was about alignment. Bringing SEN Books into our world allowed us to create something even more powerful for the SEND community. It was a step that required confidence, risk, and belief in our wider mission.

As I reflect on these achievements, I’m also aware of the personal growth that has come with them. It’s not always about what we do as businesses or organisations — it’s about what we learn as people. I’ve learned that progress doesn’t always feel like progress. Sometimes, it feels like survival. Sometimes, it feels like standing still. But even when it feels like nothing is moving, you’re still moving forward.

My neurodivergent mind processes things differently, and I’ve come to see that as a strength. I’ve learned to harness that difference. It’s taught me to see patterns others might miss, to approach problems in ways that others wouldn’t, and to stay focused on the long-term vision even when the short-term feels tough. Over the past two years, I’ve seen the power of bringing neurodivergent individuals into the heart of our work. The skills, perspectives, and insights they bring are unparalleled.

So, as I look to the end of 2024 and beyond, I’m filled with a sense of gratitude. Gratitude for those who have supported me through personal tragedy, gratitude for the incredible teams and individuals I’ve worked with, and gratitude for my own ability to keep going. I’m not where I want to be yet, but I’m closer than I was two years ago. That’s progress.

If there’s one message I want to leave you with, it’s this: Keep moving forward. It doesn’t have to be fast. It doesn’t have to be smooth. But as long as you’re still moving, you’re still growing. As we head into 2025, I’m committed to that growth. For myself. For my family. For my businesses. And most importantly, for the communities we serve.

Let’s keep moving forward — together.

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