Mairead Smith, 32, Germany

I have a bone deformity in my jaw- my surgeon thought it happened as I was born. The jaw wasn't hoked on to my face properly on one side. It grew twice the speed it should have and made my jaws uneven, protrouding and long. At 16 I had surgery to connect the jaw

Amelia, 29, London

As a child I had severe eczema; weeping, bloody, rough, cracked skin that was tight and sore on many areas of my body, including my face. I remember my GP assuming that I didn't wear short sleeve tops because he thought I must be ashamed of my arms; it had never even occured to me to be ashamed, I hadn't done anything wrong. Now I stand on the other side. My eczema is negligible and I think that the important thing to remember is this; looks are transitory and ultimately really not very important at all. I wish all people could understand this. There is prejudice but people have a wonderful capacity for learning and revising their opinions if given the opportunity or reason to. I wish you luck with your campaign.

Joy, 14, London

It's not the ouside that matters, it's the inside the really matters.

Kris, 25, London

My sister has got a terrible cleft which makes her lips lopsided and her nose flat. This has also affected her teeth structure which cause them to rot a little and she suffers from painful mouth ulcers very often. Growing up with her has made me very protective of her because we always get weird looks from people, and what's worse, because she doesn't look normal and pretty, people don't mix much with her. She used to cry about it, but not that she's 23, all the cruel jokes have made her a stronger person. She may not have the looks that we all have, but she has a big heart which not everyone is lucky enough to have!

Claire, 37, wiltshire

Experience I am a health professional and over the years have met various people with facial disfigurement. I have come to this website after watching a remarkable young person called Jess on TV tonight, and another very inspiring person called Kelly. Issues raised on the programme and on this site have challenged my perceptions and made me determined to make no assumptions about anyone with a facial disfigurement, that I may meet in future. This site is incredibly positive and has a lesson for all to be learnt about accepting ALL people in our society, whatever their indiviuality, without judgement.

Emma, 21, Guildford

I've had facial disfigurement all my life - incredibly minor in comparison to your models, but it has affected my whole life and given me an invaluable insight into how others more different to me, feel. When I see the pictures and read the comments on your website I actualy gasp - to me they are beautiful for standing up for who they are, not what everyone else looks at. You make me even prouder to be lopsided, thank you

RP, 36, london

Afters years of suffering from a facial skin condition I know all to well what it is like to be treated differently. After all these years, living in London and being surrounded by people of the 'normal' nature I have concluded one simple and empowering emotion, you are who you are on the inside. Through positive thinking, embracing the world and the happiness that does shine from it, anyone and everyone can turn their own minds into a feeling of contentment whether disfigured or not. Beauty can be seen if one has the eyes to see it. Its all around us, and unless we give in to the surface pressures from the likes of the media and social upbringing's we all will continue to see beauty that is there. People are beautiful, we are the apex of creation and we choose to live our lives from the decisions we make in our minds. Our minds, the one thing we all own and possess of which we have total dominion over. That decision making process is all that is takes for one to feel comfortable in the presence of others who may not be 'perfect' as they would like them to be. I admire those who faces challenges, through disfigurement or other physical and mental struggles,if we give in we have lost, and life is not for loosing. I hope this message brings one of positivity. I could write and write from my thoughts, but my goal is clear: face the world no matter what you have on the outside and as the saying goes, you attract what you feel. Stay positive and you will see the good in many people. yes hurdles will be required to cross, but these are hurdles of the internal nature and not on the outside world. people may feel uncomfortable in your presence but let those emotions pass and remain positive and you will witness that there are many who will welcome you into their lives. I would like to thank the organisers who made this site possible, and continue to promote face equality. Warm wishes. RP

Liz, 51, Fulham

A face tells you what has happened to a person, where they have been and what is important to them. From the self centred immaculately made up young woman, to the pretensious shaped goatee beards of their mates to the dishevelled appearance of the caring mother and the fat jowls of the ignorant business man. Who you are and where you have been is written indelibly on every line and bump. It is how you handle the challenges in life that makes you who you are.

Beccy, 39, Canada

It's time to ignore the outer wrapper and look to the heart.

Una, 32, Ireland

I heard Kellie interviewed on Irish radio. She's a real inspiration and role model. She sounds perfectly comfortable in her own skin, unlike a lot of women who spend fortunes on cosmetics and I really hope she decides to pursue a career in advocacy as she has such a powerful voice.

Lisa, 26, Oxford

What a wonderful charity. It's so wonderful to see such positive action being taken to alter people's perception and to eliminate ignorance and prejudice. We are all beautiful in God's eyes and are created in his image. Keep up the good work !!!

Alison, 15, France

Hey, just wanted to give a big thumbs-up to all the volounteers and people out there who make a difference! I saw a documentary on TV about people with facial disfigurements and it really opened my eyes to how tough it can be on some people (one of the models was on the show, i can't remember her name..) So yeah keep up the good stuff! : )

mo, 45, london

I am beginning to feel the energy of all the individuals who are benefitting from expressing themself via Face Equality. Thank you. I wish everyone, young old, black and white, from all walks of this life, the very best, and be proud of who they are; not what other people think they are. Mo

Call for comments