How to get your State to Recognise Facial Difference

Logan Zelenak

My name is Logan Zelenak and I was born with a fast flow vascular anomaly in my left cheek and chin. I also acquired a long scar on the left side of my neck at age nine from a surgery that attempted its removal. I often refer to my past self as Little Logan. Little Logan who used to feel so alone in having a facial difference, and Little Logan who never knew a community of those who felt empowered in their facial difference existed. I feel so grateful to have found Face Equality International and the community it introduced me to. And today, though I still have my moments, I couldn’t feel more secure and empowered in my facial difference.

FEI introduced me to the world of activism for those with facial differences. Little Logan couldn’t have dreamed it possible. Feeling inspired, I reached out to my local senator in Michigan, Mallory McMorrow, about the possibility of a sample resolution for facial differences and to have a day recognized as Face Equality Day in Michigan.

Initially, I sent an email explaining FEI’s mission and my own experience living with a facial difference. The team heard my story and felt like this was an important issue to spread awareness about. They said they’d like to work towards putting a sample resolution to the floor about facial difference equality. I then worked with Senator McMorrow’s office on drafting the sample resolution and some talking points for her speech on the senate floor.

Attending the Senate

On September 27th, 2023 I was invited to go to Michigan’s capitol to see this unfold on the senate floor. On the morning of, I was both excited and nervous as this had to go to a vote in the Senate. And I couldn’t be more pleased with how it turned out. September 27th was officially recognized as Face Equality Day in the state of Michigan.

If you’d like to watch Senator McMorrow’s moving speech, you can view here.

Little Logan needed that moment. I needed that moment, today. To have facial differences recognized as an independent equality and human rights issue. For it to be talked about and for awareness to have come to light. Little Logan, who felt so alone and isolated in having a facial difference, couldn’t have felt more elated for the whole community. This is a win for all of us, not just those of us in Michigan.

On that day, I felt such a powerful sense of community with those who have facial differences. This was for all of us. To be recognized, to be heard, to be seen. What a beautiful way to be seen.

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