Reaching milestones
A mother reflects on redefining milestones, as her daughter with global developmental delay takes her long-awaited first steps.
Bella is originally from the UK but now lives in Dubai, where she is raising her daughter who was born with global developmental delay. She tells Namulanta Kombo that her journey into parenthood has looked very different from what she once imagined, and she’s had to reshape her expectations around milestones, progress, and what ‘typical’ development means.
One of the most powerful moments she shares is the day her daughter took her very first steps. They came later than they do for most children, but for Bella, that made the moment even more extraordinary. It wasn’t just a step, it was a symbol of patience, resilience, and hope.
To find out more about Dear Daughter, to take part, or read our privacy notice, please go to www.bbcworldservice.com/deardaughter. Or you can contact the team via WhatsApp on +44 800 030 4404.
On radio
More episodes
Previous
Next
Featured
.
Broadcasts
- Sat 26 Sep 202604:32GMTBBC World Service except Australasia, East and Southern Africa, East Asia & South Asia
- Sat 26 Sep 202617:32GMTBBC World Service Online, UK DAB/Freeview & News Internet only
- Sun 27 Sep 202600:32GMTBBC World Service
- Sun 27 Sep 202603:32GMTBBC World Service Australasia, South Asia & East Asia only
- Sun 27 Sep 202604:32GMTBBC World Service East and Southern Africa
- Sun 27 Sep 202608:32GMTBBC World Service Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa only
- Sun 27 Sep 202610:32GMTBBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa
Podcast
![]()
Dear Daughter
Extraordinary letters written from parents to their children with Namulanta Kombo

