Jennifer Duthie
Nominee Profile
Location: Stirling
My name is Jennifer Duthie, and everything I do is rooted in love for my family and in the
legacy of my son, Finlay. My journey began in nursing, a career I cared deeply about, but
life changed direction when Finlay became unwell. I made the decision to step away
from nursing so I could care for him full-time. It was a role that demanded everything
from me and taught me more about compassion, resilience, and advocacy than any
professional training ever could.
Finlay was born with an extremely rare, one-of-a-kind genetic condition, a variation of
HUPRA syndrome (a condition passed on by both myself and my husband), which
caused his kidneys to fail. Before he turned seven, he had already undergone dialysis
and a renal transplant. He required round-the-clock care, and our lives became a
balance of hospital stays, medical interventions, and creating as many joyful,
meaningful moments as possible despite the challenges he faced.
In 2018, my youngest son Harrison was born. He was tested early and found to be a
carrier of the same genetic condition, but thankfully not affected in the way Finlay was.
Both of my boys are autistic, and being their mum, has shaped my understanding of
neurodiversity, inclusion, and the importance of creating supportive environments for
children and families.
In July 2021, our world changed forever when Finlay passed away suddenly at age 12
from a blood cancer. Losing him was devastating, but it also strengthened my
determination to honour his life by supporting other families facing their own
challenges. Just two months later, in September 2021, I created Finlay’s Superstars as
part of my former business, Sensory Tots Stirling. What began as a tribute to my son
quickly grew into a vital community space for children with additional needs and their
families. I ran the group voluntarily, fundraising constantly to keep sessions free or
heavily subsidised so that no family would ever be excluded due to cost.
When Sensory Tots closed in 2025 due to the financial climate, it was incredibly
difficult, but the mission behind Finlay’s Superstars remained. From April 2025, Bounce
OT , where I work part-time as a Therapeutic Play Leader, took the group under its wing.
This allowed Finlay’s Superstars to continue within an occupational therapy-based
rebound therapy service supporting children and adults with additional needs across
Stirling.
Finlay’s Superstars offers inclusive, sensory-rich sessions designed for neurodivergent
children and those with additional needs. The sessions provide a safe, understanding
environment where children can explore, play, and simply be themselves without
pressure or judgement. Just as importantly, they offer support for parents and carers,
giving families a place to connect, share experiences, and feel understood. The group
has become a community in its own right - a space where families can breathe out,
even if only for an hour. I continue to fundraise to ensure these sessions remain
accessible to everyone who needs them.
Alongside this, I set up a monthly support group for parents of neurodivergent children
from my local schools, including Harrison’s primary school. This group gives parents a
safe, welcoming space to talk openly, learn from one another, and feel less alone in the
challenges and triumphs of raising neurodivergent children.
In my role at Bounce OT, I support children through therapeutic play, helping them build
confidence, regulation, and connection. To deepen my practice, I am currently studying
the HNC in Occupational Therapy Support, which is giving me a stronger theoretical
foundation to complement my lived experience and the hands-on work I do every day.
Everything I do, every session I run, every family I support, every community space I help
build, is in memory of my beautiful boy. Finlay changed my life, and through Finlay’s
Superstars, his legacy continues to change the lives of others. My purpose now is to
make a difference for the families I work with, to honour his story, and to ensure that no
parent or child ever feels they have to walk their journey alone.
legacy of my son, Finlay. My journey began in nursing, a career I cared deeply about, but
life changed direction when Finlay became unwell. I made the decision to step away
from nursing so I could care for him full-time. It was a role that demanded everything
from me and taught me more about compassion, resilience, and advocacy than any
professional training ever could.
Finlay was born with an extremely rare, one-of-a-kind genetic condition, a variation of
HUPRA syndrome (a condition passed on by both myself and my husband), which
caused his kidneys to fail. Before he turned seven, he had already undergone dialysis
and a renal transplant. He required round-the-clock care, and our lives became a
balance of hospital stays, medical interventions, and creating as many joyful,
meaningful moments as possible despite the challenges he faced.
In 2018, my youngest son Harrison was born. He was tested early and found to be a
carrier of the same genetic condition, but thankfully not affected in the way Finlay was.
Both of my boys are autistic, and being their mum, has shaped my understanding of
neurodiversity, inclusion, and the importance of creating supportive environments for
children and families.
In July 2021, our world changed forever when Finlay passed away suddenly at age 12
from a blood cancer. Losing him was devastating, but it also strengthened my
determination to honour his life by supporting other families facing their own
challenges. Just two months later, in September 2021, I created Finlay’s Superstars as
part of my former business, Sensory Tots Stirling. What began as a tribute to my son
quickly grew into a vital community space for children with additional needs and their
families. I ran the group voluntarily, fundraising constantly to keep sessions free or
heavily subsidised so that no family would ever be excluded due to cost.
When Sensory Tots closed in 2025 due to the financial climate, it was incredibly
difficult, but the mission behind Finlay’s Superstars remained. From April 2025, Bounce
OT , where I work part-time as a Therapeutic Play Leader, took the group under its wing.
This allowed Finlay’s Superstars to continue within an occupational therapy-based
rebound therapy service supporting children and adults with additional needs across
Stirling.
Finlay’s Superstars offers inclusive, sensory-rich sessions designed for neurodivergent
children and those with additional needs. The sessions provide a safe, understanding
environment where children can explore, play, and simply be themselves without
pressure or judgement. Just as importantly, they offer support for parents and carers,
giving families a place to connect, share experiences, and feel understood. The group
has become a community in its own right - a space where families can breathe out,
even if only for an hour. I continue to fundraise to ensure these sessions remain
accessible to everyone who needs them.
Alongside this, I set up a monthly support group for parents of neurodivergent children
from my local schools, including Harrison’s primary school. This group gives parents a
safe, welcoming space to talk openly, learn from one another, and feel less alone in the
challenges and triumphs of raising neurodivergent children.
In my role at Bounce OT, I support children through therapeutic play, helping them build
confidence, regulation, and connection. To deepen my practice, I am currently studying
the HNC in Occupational Therapy Support, which is giving me a stronger theoretical
foundation to complement my lived experience and the hands-on work I do every day.
Everything I do, every session I run, every family I support, every community space I help
build, is in memory of my beautiful boy. Finlay changed my life, and through Finlay’s
Superstars, his legacy continues to change the lives of others. My purpose now is to
make a difference for the families I work with, to honour his story, and to ensure that no
parent or child ever feels they have to walk their journey alone.