It’s no secret that Channel 4 is a mastermind at tear-jerking, thought- provoking documentaries and ‘Born to be Different’ is certainly no exception. Last night’s programme centred around four nine/ten year old children who have grown up with different disabilities. Ten years ago, these exact kids were filmed as they were born. Now ten years later, we got to catch up on just what it’s been like for them living with a disability. Get your tissues at the ready.
Emily Spears is a nine year old girl who was born with Spina Bifida. While she acknowledges the fact that she’s different from her school peers, Emily says she doesn’t mind. All the little girl wants is to be able to wear ‘knickers’ to school, so she can fit in with her friends. Spina Bifida can affect many nerves and parts of a person’s body. In Emily’s case, the nerves that work her bladder are her concern. After four years of refusing to get corrective surgery to enlarge her small bladder, Emily finally agreed at the age of nine. She’s grown up not being able to tell when she needs to go to the toilet and this operation could make her toilet independent. Five hours surgery and eight weeks rehabilitation later and finally Emily is able to play in the school yard without nappies. For a nine year old, her mannerisms and speech are well above her age. Sadly that comes with what she’s experienced in life.
Zoe’s parents only discovered she had a disability when she was born. She knows that her feet and arms turn in, but of course, like any other nine year old would be, she still doesn’t fully understand it. When she was three, Zoe’s mother Annemarie became a single parent and now it’s up to her to do all she can for her daughter. After six months of rehabilitation, Zoe can finally lift her left arm. She hopes that one day she will be able to apply her make-up, such a simple thing for most of us to do but a dream for her. One of her family members pointed out that kids with disabilities are robbed of their childhood because of the things they have to go through. However it’s amazing and inspirational how well these children have coped and it really puts things into perspective.
As Zoe’s mother said, the parents of these children tend to blame themselves for their child’s disability, because they created them. The reality is that millions of people are living with a disability and it could happen to anyone at any time. The way you deal with it shapes your character.
Probably one of the most moving and uplifting stories of last night’s show was of Hamish. Hamish tells the camera that his bones aren’t growing properly, meaning he has dwarfism. His final height will never be more than four foot four inches but that is definitely never going to hold him back. With his hearty laugh and positive attitude towards his condition, it’s hard not to love him for his innocence. For his parents it was hard to come to terms with the fact that their son was ‘weird’. His father told of Hamish’s first day at school. Queues formed outside his classroom with people hoping to get a look at the dwarf. Thankfully, he has settled in now and his friends are accepting of him. Hamish said: “Being little doesn’t matter to me or my friends, we all just play together.” This combined with the ridiculously sad music was bound to have you bawling your eyes out. Although seeing Hamish Ski down the slopes like a professional was enlightening and shows just how his attitude lets him overcome his disability.
William was born with Tuberous Sclerosis. Out of the four, his condition is definitely the most aggressive disability and the most life-threatening. His illness can cause abnormal growths in the brain and seizures. Over time, his condition has become harder for his mother and father to control. Just looking at the footage last night, it’s devastating to see what carers have to go through just to mind their children. Now, his mother has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis which is a condition that gradually gets worse over time. While they keep hoping that William will defy the odds, their job is a full time one.
The great thing about the series is that we hear from the children themselves, who are articulating, more than ever, just what it means to be them.
Tune in next week to hear more of their heart-rending stories.
Sarah Carty
