Live Blog

This live blog is about celebrating the inspirational stories and achievements of individuals all over the world who have overcome their ‘different ability’, impairment, stunted growth or otherwise to prove misconceptions are wrong and equality and diversity is the way forward… please enjoy, share and comment thank you …
December is About More Than Just Christmas for me by Elissa Boreham
It’s Christmas Eve 2021 and I am rewriting this piece for the umpteenth time, with hot tea beside me and lots of unwrapped presents still to be made beautiful. It will be a very long night. Some say writing about yourself is easy and for the most part I would agree...
Jack’s Story by Carrie Cariello
Let’s play a game, okay? I’ll give you a bunch of clues, and you try to guess who I am. I am not a person, place, or thing. You can’t see me or touch me or smell me. I am considered a human condition, but really I am a collection of symptoms. He doesn’t play with...
Kei’Arie Tatum
Down Syndrome isn't a choice...Acceptance is! Kei’Arie “Angel Baby” Tatum has been working since the age of 3yrs old. Kei’Arie has been included in the entertainment industry as a phenomenal actress & model. Years of working in this field and upon completion of...
17 things I have learned in 17 years by Eliana Tardio
Guest Blog post by Eliana Tardio, a mother of two children with Down syndrome. 17 years ago, I was blessed to give birth to my first child, Emir. He was diagnosed in utero with Down syndrome, but it was not until the moment that I held him in my arms that I realized...
Raising Rowan: A normal pregnancy? (by Mildred Katusabe)
Around 23 weeks, I went with my husband to see our gynecologist to check on my pregnancy. He said, “I would suggest a 3D scan to rule at any abnormalities”. So when I asked him, “Why?” – (I had not done a 3D scan for any of my other three children) – he said,...
Forest FM Interview – Down Syndrome Awareness Month 22nd October 2021
Steve Saville at Forest FM interviews Erika Petrie about Down Syndrome Awareness Month, the new articles on the live blog, her plans for Shades of Different, bringing up Micaela and her incredible ability to live in the moment and her song.
Donate Now!
As of 31st March 2022, Shades of Different is now officially registered as a charity incorporated organisation (charity no: 1198481). We aim to raise funds to provide vital therapies and promote better inclusion for differently able children, initially in Dorset and hopefully spreading to other parts of the UK in the future. Please donate as little or as much as you can, knowing that this will really make a difference to these children who really deserve it and can help to make our world a better place.
Thank you