Carrying the Olympic Torch for PSP.

[HannahDaykin]

Wow. What more can I say? Such an amazing day!!

I woke up at 5.30am to go to BBC Radio Sheffield to talk about PSP. You can listen on the following link at about 10 minutes in. bbc.co.uk/radio/player/p00t...

I was back home for 7.30am and didn't know what to do with myself. I got ready and donned my torchbearer uniform (making sure that I didn't get any make up down it as it was pure white!). A very nice gentleman at a local shop blew up 25 PSPA balloons with helium for my supporters to hold. At 4pm I met all the other torchbearers for a briefing. We were all sitting around and then Nick Clegg walks into the room and listens to our stories and tells us how proud he is that we are representing Sheffield & our passions. We all had our photo took outside the Torchbearer bus, where Nick Clegg asked if he could stand next to me- "Yeah if you like" I replied! Then he called Seb Coe over who introduced himself to me. When I said who I was he said "I know a lot more about you than you know about me" - WOW! He also spotted my Mum & Dad in the crowds and put his thumbs up!

We all got on the bus and listened to everyone's inspirational stories, such an honour to be sharing in their special day.

I had a long empathetic chat with Seb Coe (who's mother had PSP) which was truly humbling. We didn't get chance for a photo but I'm sure we will meet again in the future!

One by one we got off the bus to our designated spots and the crowds were incredible. There were so many people who came out to cheer us on. There was a little time for us to meet the crowds and for people to take photos of us; I spotted my friend and started over-exaggerating stretches and limbering up for the run. Then one of the officials came upto me and told me they were making an exception for me to have time with my Dad (only meant to be 10 seconds between finishing the run and getting back on the bus). He asked if there were any distinctive features that My Dad had so I explained he was in a wheelchair & to look out for the PSPA balloons!

I saw Sophie (the previous torchbearer) run upto me and we stood and did the 'Torch Kiss', passing the flame on. I started to run behind the cameras, at first switching between waving and worrying about how my hair was looking! Then I relished the crowd's support and people shouting my name, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. There were so many people who had come out to support me and my cause- truly amazing.

I reached the end of my run & they had pulled my Dad out of the crowds & into the road so I could meet him. I took his hands and put it around the Olympic Torch- his moment to shine. It was amazing, all the police and people around were so supportive letting my Dad have his moment which has been one of the best of my life & I'm sure it was one of his too.

I then got back on the bus and the support from the other torchbearers was overwhelming as they had seen the moment. Going back into the city centre, we were waving to all the crowds (I was screaming as I saw people that I knew!!). People were mobbing us for our photos and asking for our stories. It was amazing to see that people were interested in our stories & I was able to make other people aware of PSP.

I then had an interview on BBC World News which will be shown overseas but I will be sent a clip of it so I can show you all.

Thank you for everyone's support, the whole day was indescribable.

[HannahDaykin]

You can also view the photos from the day at facebook.com/daykinpsp

[Idris]

Brilliant, sounds like you had a fantastic time. Glad you were able to share experiences with Seb Coe, too!

[HannahDaykin in reply to Idris]

Yes it was amazing!! I had a few people contacting me on Twitter saying that they weren't aware of PSP until they saw me

[Kathy]

Well done Hannah!!

[HannahDaykin in reply to Kathy]

Thank you!

[FranR]

excellent - well done, hannah! sounds a truly amazing experience. i'm glad you got to chat to seb coe too. you really raised awareness of psp - brilliant news. don't know quite when you'll be able to 'come down' after all that - i love that your dad got to share it all too . you lift the torch for us all.

love and hugs,

fran & family x

[HannahDaykin in reply to FranR]

It really was an amazing experience! Haha it was so surreal the day after, nobody was waving at me as I walked past or asking for my picture..I didn't like it! Hahaha!!

Thanks Fran

[kay1]

You have managed to share your experience so well Hannah, you are a star and you thoroughly deserved the honour, reading your account was one of the upside of the PSP group. Thank you. x

[HannahDaykin in reply to kay1]

Thank you Kay1!x

[Fiona_McL]

Hannah, what a fabulous tale You are a wonderful ambassador for us! I'm really moved about them giving your dad time with the lit torch too- I'll bet Seb had a word.

You have done an amazing job for all of us affected by PSP- we are as proud of you as your dad, and that's saying something x

[HannahDaykin in reply to Fiona_McL]

Awww wow, thanks Fiona!

Yeah it was amazing, they stressed that they were making an exception but I can't thank them enough!!x

[hmfsli]

Well done Hannah! How proud your Dad must have been of you.

[LesleyB]

Hi Hannah

It made me fill up reading about your day and it must have been fantastic for your dad. You have really raised the PSPA profile, well done again to you.

Lesley