Shannon Tiday hit the headlines back in September, following publication of the controversial SMILE trial that suggested M.E. could be treated by the Lightning Process.
Ten year-old Shannon took to Facebook to protest this association, and her poignant video went viral. She was also interviewed by Pirate F.M. and ITV News, and we carried her story on our website at the time.
Last night, Shannon was honoured at the prestigious Plymouth Herald Community Awards ceremony (see below) as a Young Hero. The ME Association fully supports her efforts and this public recognition.
Dr Charles Shepherd, Hon. Medical Adviser to the ME Association, said, “Shannon is an inspiration. I have been very moved by her efforts to raise awareness and dispel the many myths that surround this devastating, neurological illness. Her award is fully deserved, and I very much hope Shannon will remain an advocate for children affected by M.E.”
Commenting on Facebook after the event last night, Shannon's mother, Sharon, commented:
“Wow! What an incredible night. My beautiful, brave girl was celebrated as a true hero tonight, along with many other incredibly inspiring and brave, beautiful children, who all equally deserved their winner awards.
“On a personal note, to us as a family, we stuck a two-finger salute up to M.E. tonight. We felt like we got to a huge turning point as we battle this journey with hope, love, and laughter.
“When M.E. invaded my beautiful girl's body and tried to wreck havoc, it didn't break her – it only made her stronger. This award means so much, but also for all our wonderful friends who suffer or who have children with M.E.
“Again, M.E. was highlighted, it had a platform tonight, and people heard how it damages lives. We will always shout louder. M.E. is not a secret behind closed doors any longer!”
Photographs kindly provided by Sharon Tiday.
The Plymouth Herald, 07 December, 2017.
The quiet heroes who have helped to make Plymouth the proud city it is have been honoured at a glamorous awards ceremony.
Set in the festive surrounds of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, inspiring figures from the world of teaching, care, volunteering, the armed forces, and many more gathered to share a moment in the limelight at the Herald Community Awards.
The annual event honouring the unsung heroes of Plymouth was held in partnership with Specsavers and supported by sponsors across the city.
Awards co-host, Herald editor Paul Burton, opened the event with a rousing speech before guests tucked into an afternoon tea.
“Today marks the sixth annual community awards ceremony – an event like no other in Plymouth,” he said.
“It’s an afternoon for heroes, for celebrating community spirit and paying homage to the indescribable bond the people of Plymouth share that makes our city tick.
“The Herald lives and breathes stories about Plymouth people.
“We celebrate the champions of the city every day in the pages of our newspaper and on our website, but it was six years ago that we decided we could do more to recognise the city’s unsung heroes, and that is how this afternoon was born.”
Although every finalist deserved praise, sadly there could be only one winner in each category – except in the case of the Young Hero Award where every one of the incredible junior nominees Kyle Bennett, Shannon Tiday, Olly McKay, Daniel Downing, Shannel Howard, Caitlyn Powell and Lucy Hedges were named winners.