AN INSPIRING Balsall Common teenager has been handed a top award.
Isabelle Delaney was crowned winner of the Inspirational Young Person aged 12 to 14 award at this year’s WellChild Awards at a prestigious ceremony in London.
The 13-year-old has a range of serious health conditions including autism, ADHD, hypermobility and Irlens Syndrome she has difficulties with her knees partially dislocating has a trauma response to adults and significant anxiety as well as selective mutism and sleep disorder.
She also suffers with frequent migraines. Isabelle is in pain on a daily basis with her joints. Her hypermobility and joint issues mean that she is in constant pain, her joints are very hyper mobile and unstable.
She suffered bullying in school which had an enormous impact on her mental health and led to her self-harming.
During the pandemic and the lockdowns Isabelle was not able to go to school or access any online learning.
When schools reopened in September 2020 Isabelle returned to school however again suffered from significant bullying.
Isabelle has a trauma response to adults and so attending school or health appointments is extremely difficult for her.
She said: “I feel good about being given this award, I love my new school, they really help me and I like going to school now and I like learning.
“People at my new school are nice to me.”
Isabelle’s significant pain affects her life daily, she loves sport and either has to continue to play sports whilst in pain or has to stop doing what she loves.
Isabelle’s family manage her pain and joint issues at home. Often, she finds it difficult to move around the house, by the time she gets home from school she often has to spend the rest of the day lying down as her legs hurt too much to stand.
Proud mum Heather said: “We are extremely proud of Isabelle, she has had some real challenges over the years with school, her physical health and mental health.
“Thanks to Isabelle’s resilience and the support of her new school Isabelle has just done a full school year- yr 8, the first time she has been able to do a full year since yr 2.
“Isabelle’s mental health is improving and with the support of her family, her school and her assistance dog Hope she is able to do more and enjoy life more.”
This year the awards also had a sad note to them as the Duke of Sussex, who is patron of the charity, is normally in attendance but he was unable to make it as they were being held when he was called to Balmoral following the death of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.
In a change to the planned proceedings, there was a short silence as a mark of respect followed by a rendition of The National Anthem from opera singers Natalie Rushdie and Camilla Kerslake.
