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Original poster

Born To be Different- Shelbie died

46 replies

farmergilesnomore · 21/04/2019 08:22

I followed these families for years and was thinking about Shelbie this morning and googled to see if there was any info as the last programme was in 2016 I think. Sadly it seems she died on Saturday, after reaching her 19th birthday which is totally amazing considering the prognosis her mum was given. She was able to get to Disneyland so lived life in the fullest way right until the end.

The google search showed that Shelbie has been mentioned all over the world in journals and articles, she really touched the lives of so many.

RIP Shelbie and thoughts and love for her family, who were totally amazing and her voice throughout her whole journey Flowers

OP posts:
purpleme12 · 21/04/2019 08:25

Aww I've watched the programmes. RIP Shelbie

Zoflorabore · 21/04/2019 08:29

Me too, as soon as I saw your op I pictured her straightaway.

Such sad news Flowers

LettuceBe · 21/04/2019 08:37

Oh no. What a beautiful, wonderful girl she was. She was such a special character. All of the children were but Shelbie and her amazing Mother really stole my heart. I can't begin to imagine what her family are going through.

cantthinkofanythingwitty · 21/04/2019 08:39

Oh this is really sad. I use the born to be different show in my lessons at school and all of the kids ask me how she is getting on now. They will be really sad to hear this

brownjumper · 21/04/2019 08:39

Wow I can't believe that. I was literally thinking about her randomly a couple of days ago and wondering how she was doing, having not seen or heard of her since the last tv program she was on. I am full of admiration for her mum and family. Prayers for them.

ShirleyAvenue · 21/04/2019 08:43

I too followed the programmes. This is such sad news. Shelbie's family were so loving and devoted to her. The mum in particular was very inspiring- she was love in action.

LettuceBe · 21/04/2019 08:44

Where did you find the update if I may ask?

Original poster
farmergilesnomore · 21/04/2019 08:49

Lettuce it was a gofundme page by a friend of the family for her funeral costs.

Mum Vicky started a Born to be Different facebook page to give updates about Shelbie and the programme (it seems channel 4 didn't want to do another series) and her last post was in Feb 2018 saying that she realized Shelbie didn't have fight in her anymore so they respected that and she had been on palliative care for 18 months.

OP posts:
LettuceBe · 21/04/2019 08:56

Thank you. That's so incredibly sad, though it's wonderful that she got much more time than expected, but of course it's never enough. Poor Vicky.

I wonder why Channel 4 didn't want to make another series? It was one of the best programmes I've seen. I watched every episode.

Original poster
farmergilesnomore · 21/04/2019 09:08

Shelbie's mum started the page as a petition to keep the show going. C4 apparently said they wanted a period of rest.

OP posts:
Fruityfruitcake · 21/04/2019 09:08

How terribly sad. I've also watched it from the beginning and have been full of admiration for her Mum.

Dothehappydance · 21/04/2019 09:14

I hadn't watched any of the more recent series, but watched the earlier ones, very sad news.

pastapestoparmesan · 21/04/2019 09:17

That’s so sad, I absolutely loved that programme and Shelbie was my favourite. I’m so glad she got to go to Disneyland.

Original poster
farmergilesnomore · 21/04/2019 09:26

Recent pic going to Disney here

OP posts:
AuntieStella · 21/04/2019 09:30

How sad

I remember watching the earliest programmes (nine since) and being in total awe of Shelbie's DMum, who was so young but so practical and calm and just amazing

TheCraicDealer · 21/04/2019 09:31

Very sad to hear this. The fact she got to 19 really is testament to the care and devotion her mother and the rest of the family gave her.

Re. C4 stopping, I wonder if there was less appetite from some of the kids to keep taking part. When you're at secondary school and thinking about work or uni you want to be the same as your peers and might prefer to just move on, rather than take part in a show talking about your differences. They were all tremendously inspirational kids, and the parents were incredible.

toffee1000 · 21/04/2019 15:36

I found this show on 4od. It was really interesting. Sad to hear Shelbie died. Getting to 19 is amazing given her condition. Vicky was such a great mum.

ZIbbetson · 22/04/2019 00:04

Hi this is Zoe from the show!
We did lose Shelbie recently unfortunately, her spirit was still strong as ever but her body just couldn’t fight anymore.
We’re making a new series now and it’s in the editing stages so we’ll be on screens soon. We’re also going to be doing on a panel q&a at Sheffield Documentary Festival.
Thank you for all of your lovely messages x

Peakypolly · 22/04/2019 00:11

So pleased to hear there is to be another series.

DaisyDreaming · 22/04/2019 01:10

That’s so sad, I google from time to time to see how she is but haven’t done since she passed away.

It’s amazing she pulled through so many times. I have so much respect for her Mum.

Thank you for posting

Original poster
farmergilesnomore · 22/04/2019 11:17

Thanks for coming on Zoe, really glad to hear there is another show. I can't believe you are old enough now to be posting on MN, it seems like only a while ago that we saw you getting your plaster casts as a toddler! Really looking forward to seeing how you are getting on x

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Ginkythefangedhellpigofdoom · 22/04/2019 12:38

Hi Zoe, thanks for coming on and letting us know. even though it's nothing to do with us! I hope whatever your up to at the moment, you are happy and enjoying being an adult! You must be about 18 or 19 now.

I am very sorry to hear about Shelbie, I obviously didn't know her but she seemed like a lovely young woman and her family seemed great!

Nothing I can say could ever be enough but her family her friends like you are in my thoughts.

vivariumvivariumsvivaria · 22/04/2019 12:41

Sorry to hear this news.

Cutcrease · 22/04/2019 13:42

Oh that’s such sad news. Zoe thanks for posting. Also can’t believe you are old enough to be posting on here. Really hope all is good with you and your family and I’m glad to hear there’s another series coming up.

ellenanora5 · 22/04/2019 13:47

Very sorry to hear the sad news, I too watched from the first show, everyone taking part is truly an inspiration.

Thanks for letting us know Zoe, looking forward to catching up with everyone.

Shelbie and her family are in my thoughts xx