William, is a seven-year-old with Treacher Collins syndrome. Kate, his mum, is profoundly grateful that Changing Faces exists. Since William’s birth she has been using the charity’s guidance and support to navigate the world of bringing up a child with a visible difference. Each milestone presents its own set of challenges, from leaving the hospital bubble and learning how to introduce his visible difference with friends and family, to navigating a world where people would “visibly recoil” from William in his pram, to starting primary school and introducing the topic of difference to inquisitive children and their equally inquisitive parents.
Today, William is a happy seven-year-old who loves school, his big sister Alex, building things from lego, and especially gorillas.
When William was younger, I found Christmas particularly tricky. I wanted him to experience the same joy as other children but worried about people’s reactions to him. I didn’t want this special time of year to be ruined by inconsiderate comments. Children with visible differences deserve to enjoy Christmas as much as any other child. Knowing that Changing Faces is here to support us through this often-overwhelming season gives me space to breathe. We’re not alone in this.
