Hayley Goleniowska

Hayley Goleniowska, the author of the blog DownSide Up, is a former language teacher and mom of two. Natty, the youngest, has Down syndrome. Goleniowska's ignorance of Down syndrome came to the fore when her daughter was born, motivating her to create the world-renowned blog Downs Side Up. It challenges fear and stigma while celebrating the narratives of those with the condition and encouragement and advice to new families with a Down syndrome diagnosis. The award-winning website is part of the greater work Goleniowska does toward the inclusion of those with a learning disability. Her daughter Natty was the first UK model with a disability to feature in a national Back to School campaign, and she believes we all need to see ourselves represented in the media.

Goleniowska, along with her daughter Mia, published a children's book, "I Love You Natty." She aims to gently change perceptions of the condition and support other parents through her inspirational blog, writing articles and support materials for new parents and lecturing teachers and medical professionals to value everyone’s worth equally and learn how their words impact new parents, as well as campaigning at parliamentary level and through media interviews. She has recently become a special schools academy trustee. Goleniowska ensures diversity in a gentle, heartfelt way.