Defying the Myth A photographic journal of love, resilience, and survival
Carol Allen-Storey
Defying the Myth is a decade-long personal project that chronicles the often-unseen experiences of families in the United Kingdom raising children with severe disabilities—families who refuse to be defined by stigma, bureaucracy, or despair.
Parenting a child with profound disabilities is a journey few can fully imagine. Every decision—regarding surgeries, therapies, schooling, or housing—can shape a child’s future. Many parents, often single mothers, must navigate complex systems of bureaucracy, repeatedly required to “prove” their need for support. Too often, they are perceived as burdens or opportunists rather than recognised as dedicated advocates for their children.
The reality can be overwhelming. With limited access to meaningful support, many families are pushed into poverty, living in unsuitable housing and lacking childcare, employment opportunities, or respite. Exhausted and isolated, they are forced to contend with systems not designed to accommodate their needs, simply to secure education, medical care, and dignity for their children.
Yet amid these challenges, something enduring remains: love. These mothers speak of lessons learned from their children, of joy found in small moments, and of hope that persists despite adversity. Their strength and compassion are rarely reflected in public narratives around disability.
This work seeks to challenge those narratives—revealing not only struggle, but also resilience, care, and the profound humanity of these families.
Nicola: “When Kallan was diagnosed as autistic, it felt as if my son had died.”
Annalisa: “Maria enriches our lives with the love and beauty she brings.”
Shoulana: “Caring for my child ended my career dreams, but love keeps me going.”
Maria at the beach $800
Maria at the beach $800
Weymouth beach$800
A portrait of Maria and Annalisa$1,200
Maria in hospital $800
Maria in a princess dress$800
Mykhye on sofa $800
Mekhye$800
A portrait of Shoulana and Mekhye $1,200
Mekhye$800
Mekhye in a bath $800
A portrait of Khallan and Nicola $800
Kallan at a local pet shop un Bury St Edmonds$800
Kallan and Nicola $1,200
Kallan$800
Kallan $800
A Special Bond$800
What is Autism?$800
Kallan$800
Bury St Edmund train Station$800
A portrait of Shoulana $800
Battling for survival $800
Mekhye$800
Mekhye$800
Mekhye$800
Carol Allen-Storey is a London-based documentary photographer originally from New York. Her work focuses on humanitarian and social issues, often highlighting the experiences of women, children and vulnerable communities facing conflict, poverty and disease. In 2009, she was appointed a UNICEF ambassador for photography. A graduate with distinction from Central St Martins, she has exhibited internationally and worked with major NGOs including Save the Children and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Her imagery invites empathy, aiming to provoke social awareness and inspire meaningful change.