Born to Be Different explained

Born to Be Different is a British documentary series on Channel 4, which follows the lives of six disabled children who were born in the millennium. Series 10 began in the UK on 26 March 2020.^[1]

Children

• William Davislives with tuberous sclerosis, which causes him to have autism and epilepsy. He passed away in 2023. ^[2]
• Hamish McLeanhas dwarfism
• Zoe Frewhas arthrogryposis^[3]
• Shelbie Williamshas trisomy 9, which has caused her to be severely disabled^[4] and who died in 2019 ^[5]
• Emily Speirshas spina bifida^{[6] [7]}
• Nathan Christiehas Down syndrome^[8]

Overview

Series		Episodes	Originally aired
	1	1
	2	1
	3	1
	4	3
	5	2
	6	2
	7	3
	8	2
	9	2

Series 9 (2016)

Critical reception

Reviewing the show, TimesOnline commented with irony that "by the end of [it], we had sobered up entirely. A queasy feeling followed, of being pulled morally up and down and in and out until you didn't know whom you pitied or why. The sign, in other words, of excellent television."^[9]

In its review, The London Paper expressed concerns about the voyeuristic approach of the show and asks: "what is to be gained from watching harried mothers breaking down, and children being constantly reminded of their problems by the camera crew? [...] Let’s just hope Channel 4's intentions were in the right place."^[10]

The music for the series was composed by Julian Stewart Lindsay.

See also

• Up Series
• Child of Our Time

References

1. News: O'Donovan . Gerard . Born to Be Different, Channel 4, review . 14 December 2018 . The Telegraph . Telegraph Media Group Limited . 14 March 2013.
2. Web site: William Davis, from Bury St Edmunds, who appeared on Channel 4 series Born to be Different, dies aged 24 . Suffolk News. 2 October 2023 .
3. News: Everyone fell in love with Zoe from Born To Be Different. 14 December 2018 . Irish Examiner . 1 March 2016.
4. News: Wyatt . Daisy . Born to Be Different, Channel 4 - TV review: A life-affirming watch . 14 December 2018 . The Independent . 1 March 2016 .
5. Web site: Help raise £5000 to funeral fund for Shelbie Williams. 2021-07-28. JustGiving. en-GB.
6. News: Emily to appear in 'Born To Be Different' on TV . 14 December 2018 . Burnley Express . 29 February 2016 . en.
7. News: Born To Be Different . 15 December 2018 . RTE.ie . Raidió Teilifís Éireann . 10 June 2011 .
8. Web site: Born to Be Different - Episode 1 . Radio Times . Immediate Media Company Limited . 15 December 2018 .
9. News: Rumbelow . Helen . Desperately Hungry Housewives; Born to be Different; Cruickshank on Kew . . 29 April 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090508091904/http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article6187666.ece . 2009-05-08.
10. Web site: http://www.thelondonpaper.com/staying-in/tv/features/born-to-be-different. |

External links

• Born to Be Different on channel4.com