Aliyana was about 5 months when we came to realise she was having difficulties with head control, alongside low birth weight and consistent eye infections.

Since she was under the paediatrician at the hospital where I had raised concerns about her missing key milestones such as rolling over and sitting unsupported. He agreed to keep an eye on her and see us every couple of months. During an appointment on her first birthday, the paediatrician suggested an MRI and genetic testing as she was showing signs of hypotonia and global developmental delay.

The MRI showed suspected abnormal results and will have to be repeated in a few years’ time. We are still awaiting the genetic results, which plays a big part on our decision to further expand our family.

Aliyana had referrals for physiotherapy and speech & language therapy but there was a long wait for appointments and we were worried she would miss keys skills, having been told early intervention is key.

Aliyana was eventually diagnosed with global developmental delays, which means that she has not been able to meet her developmental milestones. With this, Aliyana is showing signs of hypotonia (low muscle tone) which has an impact on her core strength, her gross motor skills, her feeding, and her speech. As a result, there is a big question mark looming over how able-bodied she will be as she grows up.

Aliyana began during the Summer term and I can honestly say I have seen her flourish since going to the weekly sessions. She has achieved all the targets which were set for her. We have also gravely appreciated all the support for parents that Playskill have to offer, from networking with other parents, online sessions, access to the toy library and expertise knowledge from all the relevant professionals.

Playskill has been a lifeline. Alongside the regular and much needed sessions of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy, Playskill have taken the time to provide expertise, knowledge and advice on how we can not only navigate, but thrive in this new 'world'. They also bring families with children who have additional needs together, creating a community of support to help overcome the physical, mental and emotional toll that weighs on all of us.

While we know Aliyana will continue to be the most perfect version of whoever she is meant to be, the medical side of this journey has been tough...really tough! Our whole world has been turned upside down as we struggle to come to terms with this situation. It has affected us and tested us in ways that we are not able to put into words.

Nihal and I have felt lost. We have almost instinctively decided to shy away from talking about Aliyana’s medical journey with others, for various reasons all of which now seem nonsensical. As a result, we have bitten our lip each time someone asks if she walking yet, or at least crawling yet, or any of the other 1000 subtle things people say with pure intentions.

Aliyana was getting to an age where we needed to start telling people about her GDD, being able to articulate her medical journey and frame it around my fundraising challenge & the Playskill cause, as opposed to sympathy or perhaps pity, has meant the world to Nihal and I.

Just doing the fundraiser has been somewhat liberating for us. Aliyana's medical journey is now our medal of honour, we not only feel lighter, we feel lifted.

Everyone at Playskill is so caring, they are angels sent down for children like Aliyana. I am now fundraising for Playskill as they desperately need support, in the same way we were desperate for theirs. Raising vital funds for the charity means they can continue to do all the truly inspiring work in support of families like ours.