Bearing Behçet’s Animation
Meet Snow. She is 14 years old, loves turtles, football, baking, playing guitar, gaming, and being with her friends. Snow has Behçet’s Disease and finds balancing the disease, medications, school, friendships, and activities really challenging. Watch to see how she navigates life with Behçet’s, finds her voice, and challenges people’s perceptions on what is really going on for her.
This film was created by two young people, Sofia and Harrison, and their parents, with funding from the British Association of Dermatologists and Behçet’s UK. It was facilitated by Breathe Creative and Behçet’s UK Trustee Rachael Humphreys.
The Bearing Behçet’s project: giving young people a voice
Children and young people living with Behçet’s often have very few resources designed specifically for them. While adults have access to a wide range of information, younger people and their families have told us they want accessible, age-appropriate materials that reflect real experiences.
To address this, Behçet’s UK launched a co-produced project to create resources for children and young people living with the condition. Central to the project was the creation of an animation, Bearing Behçet’s, which brings to life the experiences of young people navigating school, friendships, hobbies, and treatment.
The animation was developed through a series of creative workshops, facilitated by Katja Stiller, Therapeutic Arts Facilitator and trained counsellor from Breathe Creative. Young people, working in small groups or one-to-one, contributed directly to scriptwriting, drawing, and narrative development. Their voices and lived experiences shaped the story, ensuring it was authentic and emotionally honest, rather than told by professionals.
Bearing Behçet’s follows “Snow,” a 14-year-old managing the challenges of living with Behçet’s, and highlights the barriers many children and young people face, including misunderstandings from peers and teachers, and the emotional impact of a rare condition. The animation aligns with Rare Disease Day 2026’s theme of “equity,” amplifying voices that are often invisible within healthcare, education, and social environments.
The project demonstrates the importance of co-production and giving young people the opportunity to share their experiences. By presenting their stories in an engaging format, the animation challenges stigma, promotes understanding, and provides a resource that families and professionals can use to support children and young people living with Behçet’s.
It premiered at Rare Disease Day in Wales on 25 February 2026, where it was very well received. A wider public launch is taking place on 28 February to mark Rare Disease Day 2026, with Behçet’s UK members and audiences across our website, YouTube channel and social media platforms.
This project is a meaningful step towards equity for children and young people living with a rare disease, showing how creative projects can make real differences in understanding, support, and visibility.