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Every Piece of You is unique and important! Katie Abey has created this motivational 1000 piece puzzle, reminding us to celebrate the weird and wonderful pieces of ourselves in her usual fun and colourful style. The illustrations in this puzzle represent real people and their stories.
To celebrate Pride Month, we are promoting of Katie Abey's 'Every Piece Of You' puzzle. We interviewed some of the characters who were happy to share their input about their character and relationship with Katie.
Q1. Hi! Congratulations on being part of our jigsaw puzzle, Every Piece Of You! This 1000 piece puzzle is filled with magical and diverse human beings, including you! Can You describe the character that Katie has created for you?
This is Freya, she is a sparkly and fierce 7 year old, who a rare genetic condition requiring her to have a breathing tube (Tracheostomy) and a feeding tube (Gastrostomy). Because she breathes through her trusted trachy, Freya cannot make vocal sounds and communicates by using BSL. Freya loves hanging out with her friends, playing computer games and art. She thinks she has the cutest daddy in the world. Freya also thinks she might secretly be a bat, as she does not like sleeping at night (or waking up in the morning).
Q2. How do you know Katie, and how did you end up in our jigsaw puzzle?
I (Freya's mother) follow Katie on social media and love her art! I saw her looking for more people for her puzzle, so I got in touch.
Q3. Please can you share which 'Sparkly and Weird' parts of yourself you used to hold back?
Before Freya learnt BSL and started going to a deaf a school, she had so many stories she could not tell. She could not share her wonderful imagination with us and it made her sad. Freya is also increasingly aware of being physically different. Sometimes she is reluctant to join in with kids who are medically typical because they stare and do not know how to sign.
Q4. How did you learn to embrace them?
For Freya, the biggest difference has been getting access to language, so she could share her thoughts, feelings and stories. We are lucky to have a very diverse group of friends, some who are considered to have additional needs. We believe that by socialising widely Freya can see that there is no such thing as "normal" and hopefully show those with less experience with disability that everyone has a voice and something to say if you take time to find out a way to listen to them.
Q5. We are hugely proud of this puzzle and think the message is so important. Do you have any advice for people who are struggling to celebrate every part of themselves?
Be kind to yourself and others. We are all different and unique and that is what makes this world so multilateral and beautiful
Q6. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Love the puzzle, thank you for producing it!
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