Born to be Different

Series six, episode two
Hankies at the ready for this week’s visit with Emily, William, Nathan, Zoe, Shelby and Hamish, the six disabled children followed by this documentary strand for ten years. Now approaching adolescence, the children are facing all sorts of challenges, from sudden growth spurts that result in unexpected and unwelcome operations (‘It’s suckish,’ says Zoe matter-of-factly) to dealing with ‘girl stuff’ (Hamish) and such teenage concerns as whether to holiday in Portugal or Ibiza (‘Ibiza,’ says Emily, ‘because Spanish boys are nice.’).

Just like other children, their futures are unknown, but what’s heartbreaking for their parents is the knowledge that at best some of those lives will be filled with pain, at worst, their children’s lives will be much shorter than others. But as they all meet up and reflect on their journeys thus far, what really hits home is how determined they are to make the best lives they possibly can for their children, however short or long.