Hundreds of people across the UK entered the Specsavers Sound Barrier Awards. Last year I got my hearing aids through Specsavers and they are the best thing that has happened to me.

My auntie nominated me for this award, she sent a story down to London explaining about my hearing loss and also about my acoustic neuroma surgery and my NF2. At the end of July I received a phone call explaining that I was in the final 10 out of the whole of the UK. I was the only winner in Scotland. As I was the regional winner I went to the local Specsavers and received an award from my hearing audiologist. We got many photographs taken on the day.

After the 10 finalist had been chosen, another story about me got sent to the judging panel, one of the judges was Charlene Tilton, I had never heard of her until my mum told me she was famous in the 80’s. The 10 finalist then got cut down to 5 and to my shock I got picked for the final 5. I was in the local newspapers for being the most inspirational person in Scotland! The winner gets a holiday to Sardinia.

On the 20^th august I travelled down to London with my mum, dad and aunt who nominated me. I stayed in a hotel which was 5 minutes from Buckingham Palace. It was very posh. We attended the award ceremony in Savile Club Mayfair on the 21^st august, it was a really good day and I met some amazing people. Charlene read a small story about me, so she now knows about BANA. Unfortunately I didn’t win however I am glad I made it to the final 5 in the whole of the UK, and also I am the first Scottish person to make it to the London finals. The whole trip to London was free so I can’t complain! Even though I am not the UK winner, I am the Scottish Winner!

When I was in the local newspapers a boy called Chris seen my story and decided to contact me through facebook. He was born with facial palsy, so we had a lot in common. After the first few messages I knew I was going to get on well with him straight away. From November onwards we went on a few dates (yes, I did win at mini golf). A few months later he asked me out, my heart skipped a beat and I couldn’t stop smiling. This are still going really well at this stage. He is such a fabulous person!