Don’t Forget The Kids
570. Nicola Dady
Nicola Dady was diagnosed with a rare form of kidney cancer in 2010. Whilst going through treatment, Nicola’s children found it hard to cope and discuss their feelings.
Now in remission, Nicola set up ‘Don’t Forget The Kids’ a weekly support group that encourages parents and children to partake in various activities, allowing them to have time together. She runs a number of sessions which help 175 children in London come to terms with and understand their parent’s illness. For those that can’t attend, ‘Don’t Forget The Kids’ also provides support packages nationwide.
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
“Whilst dealing with her own recovery from illness, Nicola has shown great courage and care for others by creating a project which gives hundreds of children a place to turn to for emotional support when their parent has been diagnosed with cancer. I’m delighted to name Nicola a Point of Light for her work through ‘Don’t Forget The Kids.”
Nicola said:
“I am truly humbled to receive The Points Of Light Award. Many people call me a hero, I don’t see myself as a hero at all, just somebody who has been changed by adversity. I understand what it feels like to need support, need a shoulder to cry on, need uplifting, need a kind word without asking for it. I know what it feels like to be so scared and not feel able to talk to those closest to you to protect their feelings. I know what it’s like to worry about your children’s emotional and mental well being as well as being physically unwell and I know what it feels like when time is against you. This is the reason I started Don’t Forget The Kids also why I created ‘Our Book Of Love and Feelings.’ I realised that none of us will live forever, and I wanted to use the time that I have here on this Earth in a positive way by helping families to connect emotionally at the most difficult times as well as the happy ones. I just want to continue to help, embrace, support, inspire, motivate, spread love, be kind and live life to the fullest. It’s my purpose and I am so grateful to have discovered it. This is happiness. Thank you to the Prime Minister, I appreciate the acknowledgement for my effort to make a positive change for children in the UK.”