Who Would You Prefer Follow You?

The Amazing Blackwell Family.
Photograph courtesy of Callie Blackwell.

I have noticed on Twitter that there have been quite a few requests from people I follow to certain celebrities. They range from "My life would be complete if you said hi" to "Everything I strive to be is because of you." and various other random drivel. I am often left shaking my head wondering as to whom to feel more pity for. When did celebrities become gods? Did I miss the memo?

Growing up my favorite band was KISS. I liked their music. I never did think I would ever go to a concert or meet them as I lived in South Africa and there was no hope of that happening as I grew up during the apartheid era and sanctions was alive and well. When I look at people today and their obsession with celebrities I really don't get it. What have they offered to society? What difference have they made? What huge hurdles have they overcome?

This is where Deryn Blackwell enters the picture. Over a year ago on Twitter I started following Simon Blackwell because he is a baker and he makes pork pies and I love pork pies. We started tweeting back and forth and then I discovered he was a contestant on the Great British Bake Off. I then became twitter friends with his wife Callie and the rest is history.

One day as I was reading through Callie's tweets I read that her son Deryn had been diagnosed with Langerhans Cell Sarcoma and Leukaemia. I cannot imagine what this family is going through. I cannot even begin, as a mother, to wrap my head around what Callie is going through and yet every day the dynamic, incredible, inspiring Blackwells keep going. 

Deryn is 1 in 7 billion. He is the first. I have followed Deryn's treatment daily on Twitter and this young lad amazes me. In videos his Mom posts of him he is always upbeat and always smiling. 

Deryn inspires me. Deryn makes me take a deep breath every day and take in the beauty of all around me. Deryn has taught me to truly appreciate those in my life. Deryn gives me hope when I see so many people on Twitter surround him and his family with love and support.

Now I ask you all, who would you beg have follow you? Some inconsequential celebrity whose sex tape was 'accidentally' leaked to the internet or Deryn, the amazing, inspiring, always smiling teenager from England?


Follow Deryn on Twitter @_DoEveRYthiNg
Follow Deryn on Facebook DoEverYthiNg Foundation