Where does
the extra come from?
Nobody can see a chromosome.
What you see is a feeding tube taped
to a cheek, a child screaming in the airport,
an older child in the baby bit at soft play,
a four-year-old in a pushchair.
And before we’ve really thought
about it, the questions start.
What’s the
tube for?
Why is he still
in a pushchair?
Why can’t they
calm him down?
Isn’t she too old
to be in there?
And then you realise:
you’re still looking.
So you look away
a little too quickly.
Smile
a little bigger.
Take
half a step back.
You’re just
trying to be kind.
That’s the
EXTRA.
But when it happens
everywhere.
One reaction is small.
Then another. Then another.
Different people. Different places.
And it starts changing where the family goes.
The café gets skipped.
Soft play gets avoided.
The park comes off the list.
The wedding invite gets declined.
And when you say “no” often
enough, people stop asking.
You go to fewer places.
You see fewer people.
How do we know?
We asked families supported by Unique
what happens in ordinary public situations.
Then we asked the public what goes through
their mind when they notice someone
and aren’t sure how to react.
The answers
met in the middle.
People we asked
Families we asked
Trying not to stare.
Looking away too quickly.
Trying not to offend.
Saying nothing.
Trying to show kindness.
The extra smile.
Trying to be careful.
The softer voice.
Trying to help.
Help before asking.
Trying to give them space.
The little bit of distance.
Nobody was trying to be unkind.
They were trying to be kind.
So what does Low-key Kind look like?
Nothing special.
YOU CAN NOTICE.
You can be curious.
You can ask a question.
You can ask, “Want a hand?”
Low-key kind isn’t
pretending not to see.
It’s just not making a thing of it.
The hello you’d give anyone.
An invitation without making a thing of it.
A simple “Want a hand?” Then wait for the answer.
Your usual face. Your usual voice.
No extra fuss.
Keep the kindness.
Lose the extra.
a campaign from
Supporting families affected by rare
chromosome and gene disorders.
Seen it on a screen near you?
See the Noticed map
Registered charity no. 1110661