Time to vote for your Supermum of the Year !

Hundreds of mums were nominated for Milton’s Search for a Supermum, confirming that Britain is full of amazing mums who go above and beyond for their families on a daily basis. Following a very tough judging process, nine extra special mums have been selected as finalists and now it’s up to you to vote for who you think deserves to win!

You can now vote for your favourite and decide who deserves to be crowned Supermum 2011 and win a family holiday at http://www.milton-tm.com/vote_for_a_supermum.html

The finalists are:

Emma Harris, Pewsey in Wiltshire who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis

“Having my little boy has been my greatest achievement but a huge personal challenge too. After 6 attempts at fertility treatment, a difficult high-risk pregnancy and a delivery which left me seriously ill, my long-awaited dream came true. Being a mum and coping with a major illness is difficult and tiring but the rewards are worth the struggles”

Stacey Clarkin, Leeds, single mum who runs a website for other single parents

“It’s been, without a doubt, the hardest thing, mentally and physically, that I've ever done, especially when my daughter contracted meningitis at 8 weeks old, but also the most rewarding, fulfilling and life affirming. I really wanted to show those in similar situations to myself that life really can be (better than) ok as a single parent, so I built a site, www.soleparent.co.uk, where people can post positive, honest and inspiring stories about life as single parents.”

Gemma Mcleod, Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, mum to two who is battling breast cancer for a second time

“I battled with breast cancer in 2007, and after putting it all behind me, it's back with a vengeance, and I am on chemotherapy again. Dealing with endless trips to hospital is very hard, and I have to still be normal, happy mummy for my two lovely girls, Lucy 5 and Julie 1.”

Hazel Groves, Dover, Kent, partially sighted mum to a partially sighted son who runs a national support group

“My youngest son also inherited my eye condition and had four operations on his eyes before he was a year old. He is doing really well and is so full of life and energy. I run a national support group for families whose children have the same eye condition as me and my son and I am pleased that by sharing my own experiences I am able to help other families who have had no experience of children with sight problems.”

Kelly Middleton, Stafford, Staffordshire, Mum of five who has a 10 year old son with cerebral palsy and a four year old who is deaf and has autism.

Our son Charlie was born with cerebral palsy and is unable to walk, however we have worked with him and he’s doing fab now. Then just as life seemed to settle, Max was born deaf and has learning difficulties and autism. Life with children with special needs tests your marriage and abilities as a parent but I’ve come through that now and feel a better mummy for it.

 

Michelle King, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, mum of three whose son is disabled. She has set up a group for parents of special needs children.

Her son Oliver was born with the walls of his heart missing, couldn’t feed or swallow and was diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome. When he was 14 months old, he had a cardiac arrest, which caused him to lose his hearing. Michelle set up Little Miracles in 2010, a group where parents of children with special needs could meet, socialise and support each other.

Michelle Porter-Reed, Sheffield pregnant mum of one who has had stroke and suffers Non Epileptic Attack Disorder (NEAD)

Five years ago Michelle was a normal fit and healthy 25 year old, since then her health has deteriorated and now she spends most of her time in her wheelchair when we are out and about. She is an amazing mother to a 4 year old autistic child and has also she has also set up her own charity NEAD TRUST to help other people who suffer from her little heard of seizure disorder Non Epileptic Attack Disorder or NEAD as it is known.

Sara McGinnis, Newton Abbot, Devon, Pregnant mum of four whose fourth child was diagnosed with cancer

Sara’s fourth child was diagnosed with cancer when he was 11 months old. The family dealt with their next difficult year amazingly well, travelling backwards and forwards to hospital 100 miles away, sometimes staying there for weeks at a time. Sara is now almost ready to give birth to twins, and all of the family are excited about the new arrivals.

Wendy Hirst, Eastbourne, East Sussex, mum of four of whom three are disable/autistic

Wendy is the mum of four children, three of them are disabled/autistic. She is an advocate for special needs and autism and has a blog where she shares her experiences as the mum of autistic and special needs children. http://www.savette.com/ .

To read their full stories and vote for your favourite go for http://www.miltontm.com/vote_for_a_supermum.html . Voting closes on 25th July.

Terms and conditions are available on the Milton website. Follow details of the competition on Twitter @Milton_Baby or on www.Facebook.com/MiltonBaby

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If any of you supermums are reading my blog, come and say hi !