Mom’s Photo Project Proves Kids With Rare Conditions Are Still Kids

One special needs mom wants to remind the world that kids with rare conditions are first and foremost kids.

Photographer and mother Ceridwen Hughes, from Denbighshire, Wales, has a son with Moebius syndrome. Issac, 8, was born with the rare condition but did not receive a diagnosis until he was 8 months old.

Because Moebius syndrome comes with some physical characteristics, Hughes has seen firsthand how people make assumptions about her son’s abilities based on his outward appearance. Frustration with this led her to set up a community organization for people with rare conditions called “Same but Different.”

“[People] are often expecting [Issac] to have learning difficulties simply because he has facial paralysis,” Hughes told The Mighty in an email. “If people took the time to see the person behind the condition they would see what a funny, happy, determined little boy he is.”

Hughes decided to use her photography to help spread awareness and acceptance about rare conditions. She photographs a person and then supplies text telling their story. She includes what they like to do, who they are and how their condition affects them. The series is called “The Rare Project.”

“People often feel nervous or unsure about approaching people who look or act differently,” Hughes told The Mighty. “I wanted to find a way to bridge this gap and encourage people to find out more.”

“I think the most important thing is that this project was inspired by my son, but it is not about him,” Hughes said. “It’s about anyone with a rare disease and the need to highlight the person behind the condition whilst using the arts to make it easier for people to find out more.”

See more photos from “The Rare Project” below: 

“The beautiful photographs remind us how precious life is and help raise awareness about children who are living rare diseases so that we remain compassionate and committed to their care,” Kym Kilbourne, Vice President of Patient Advocacy at Global Genes, a leading global rare disease advocacy organization, told The Mighty via email. “Story telling through these images leads to greater understanding of the children in the rare [disease] community, and we hope inspires greater progress toward treatments and cures worldwide.”

Visit the Same But Different website for more on the photo project.