Every second of that day remains etched in my memory: the visit of my parents, the seizure Iona had as her arms flailed and fists clenched in front of an ophthalmologist; his gentle words suggesting that we should immediately see a nearby paediatrician; then the terrible moment when we were told our new daughter appeared profoundly brain damaged.
Immense pride in a young woman who - despite a lifetime of complex special needs - taught us that perfection comes in many different guises My daughter Iona was born 32 years ago.
Iona had complex health problems and profound learning difficulties - she could not see, walk or talk.
I remember holding her tiny hand in mine later that October night, looking at her sweet little face and thinking life could not be more perfect.
I held our tiny two-month-old baby after leaving the surgery, the tears on my face masked by falling rain, wondering how people could still be partying and buying presents when our lives and dreams lay devastated.
