Pride of Guernsey: Abigail Dowinton

‘Abi’s dad and I would like to nominate her for the Young Achiever award because of what she has achieved in the past two-and-a-half years, and what she has overcome to do that’, said Lyndsey.

‘Abi is our adopted daughter. She is currently home-schooled, due to struggles at school, which caused a severe decline in her mental health, particularly so with anxiety struggles.’

In 2020 Abi published a book which she had written and illustrated about a child’s perspective of adoption.

Lyndsey continues: ‘Her hope was for her story to help other children in their understanding of adoption as they go through their own journeys. In doing so Abi has visited a number of local primary schools, giving assemblies and question and answer sessions about adoption.

‘She has since written a second “child’s perspective” book about coping with anxiety, which is due for publication later this year. Her hopes, like with her first book, are to help other children in their own journeys. Abi wants her writing to be of comfort and guidance.

‘From an eight-year-old who had lost much of her confidence, to a child who can now sit in front of a whole school and give an inspirational talk, her family and friends could not be more proud. She is such a caring child, who always wants to help and emotionally support others.’