“We’re all born bald, baby!” – Terry Savalas Emma Sothern (Lady Alopecia) My name is Emma, I’m Irish and I’m 34 years old. I’ve had alopecia areata since I was 11. For the uninitiated, alopecia is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy hair follicles by mistake – in response to some … Read More
Backlash from disabled people about “The Witches” reveals harmful stereotypes. Kathleen R. Bogart Ph.D. Think about your underlying assumptions about disability. What causes disability? What are the sources of and solutions to disability-related challenges? Experts categorize ways of thinking about disability into three general models: moral, medical, or social (Olkin & Pledger, 2003). Our beliefs about disability are reflected … Read More
The Adventures of Rory and Friends Two weeks after our daughter River was born we noticed a small red mark starting to appear under her nostril. Instantly we thought it could be a birthmark and asked our Health Visitor. She told us to wait and see, which we did. Over the next couple of weeks … Read More
“Not quite a fashion model” Hi there, my name’s Zoë Cross – Zoë Anthea Cross. I wouldn’t stress my middle name so much, but I’ve discovered I have an Australian namesake who is a fashion model. Maybe one day I can still go into mature modelling, for people with a facial difference, but that’s a … Read More
I hope that by being accepted into one of the top drama schools in the UK, it sets a foundation for more visibly different people to be inspired to apply and train to be an actor too. I want to prove to teachers, casting directors, producers, directors and the arts as a whole that people … Read More
Growing up with a birthmark and the implications of negative depictions of facial difference on screen Sharon explores the offensive casting for the new Amazon Prime Lord of the Rings series, and what this means to her Different. I got used to that word from an early age. ‘You look different to other kids. Because … Read More
The role of attributions, shame, and self-compassion on the mental health of those with facial differences: Here’s how you can get involved Hi my name is Joel, I am 21 years old and I was born with a congenital facial palsy. I have had facial reanimation surgery to try to improve the movement in the … Read More
James Partridge, Founder of Face Equality International Wearing facial protection will soon become normal, according to the World Health Organization’s Covid-19 spokesman David Nabarro in an interview with the BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p089cz1s Despite conflicting evidence about whether face masks are effective in protecting people from Covid-19 (eg: eyes can still be recipients of the droplets), Nabarro … Read More
I was born with Sturge-Weber Syndrome, with a large port-wine stain birthmark covering the left side of my head and neck. Lots of extra blood vessels resulted in glaucoma and visible differences in my left eye. Growing up was a struggle, especially in a small town. My nickname from the bullies was “Two Face.” I … Read More
Recruitment of Orcs Dear Sir Peter and Mr Bezos, It has been widely reported in the UK media this week (see links below) that the casting agencies working on Amazon TV’s new series based on Lord of the Rings are desperately seeking people with “flawed faces” who are “hairy, toothless, wrinkled and extremely tall and … Read More