10th Of November by Sam Torr

The Woodworks Garden Centre is to play host to an exhibition in support of a project which aims to raise awareness of children and young people with rare diseases. 

Same but Different, founded by established photographer and marketing consultant Ceridwen Hughes, uses the arts to raise awareness of disability and counteract prejudice.

The Rare Beauty exhibition, which will be on display at the Woodworks Garden Centre in Mold between 13th and 18th November, recreates every day scenes that people with rare diseases find themselves in.

The project allows people to learn more about the impact of rare conditions on children.

Ceridwen’s son Isaac, has a rare syndrome called Moebius, which results in paralysis of facial nerves. From the moment Isaac was born, Ceridwen recognised that people made assumptions about him because of the way he looked and behaved.

Having met many parents over the years who felt the same frustrations, she decided to use her photography skills to raise awareness of the people behind the conditions and counteract prejudice.

“With Rare Beauty we wanted to create something that encouraged people to want to know more and to find out about the people involved and their conditions. Despite one in 17 people being affected by a rare disease in the UK, awareness is limited,” Ceridwen said. 

“A photograph of someone in an operating theatre, for example, can be quite a scary image for some people to look at, but by making it into a beautiful environment we hopefully encourage people to want to know more.”

Same but Different has seen exhibitions in the Senedd and Houses of Parliament as well as coverage in over 24 different countries.

“Everyone involved in the photo series is affected by rare disease in some way whether it is the patient, their family or the medical staff." Ceridwen added. 

“Monday is World Kindness Day and from 13 November to 17th November is Anti Bullying Week and as such we felt it was important to mark this in some way and the exhibition seemed like a perfect way to highlight that difference is not something to be feared.”

The Rare Beauty project has been made possible with the support of Children in Need, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.  The organization is also being supported by Big Lottery Wales who are supporting the organisation’s Rare Aware campaign which sees them raising awareness of rare diseases and the people behind the conditions throughout North Wales.

Same but Different are also involved this year with The One Show’s Rickshaw Challenge, a 500 mile journey from London to Glasgow to raise money for Children in Need.

Sabah Jamil, who recently took part in the 'Rare Beauty’ project, organised by Same but Different, is taking part in the Rickshaw challenge.

Nicki Roberts, Manager at The Woodworks Garden Centre said: “We are so delighted to be able to support this Rare Beauty project and help to raise awareness within our community.

“We would also like to say good luck to Sabah with her Rickshaw challenge.”                                                      

To find out more about Same but Different, visit www.samebutdifferentcic.org.uk