Dear Little J,
This is a letter I should have written a long time ago, but I’ve never sat down and put the words to paper until now.
I’ve spent large chunks of my life talking to myself quite negatively, and I’m sorry for the damage that caused us. I’m sorry for allowing the cruel outside voices to become our inner voice. Every stare and unkind comment became internalised, and that held us back for a while.
Even as an adult, I’m still working through a lot of the trauma and the pain those voices caused us. However, that work has been so worth it, because now I speak to myself with the love I’ve always deserved.
Little J, keep on going out into the world and experience all the joy it has to offer. You’re going to meet so many people, and while some will be unkind, and others will be fleeting, you’ll learn and grow from every interaction. People will surprise you in the best kind of way too, a smile and a “Good morning!” from a stranger will make your day brighter, so don’t be afraid to step outside and create moments that restore your faith in humanity.
You’ll also meet people who live with a visible difference just like you, and they will give you even more confidence to be yourself. Meeting others in the visible difference community is a game changer. Knowing that you’re not alone is so healing and empowering.
For years, we looked for representation that we just couldn’t find. It was hard feeling like no-one else understood, and it felt lonely thinking we were the only one. That’s not the case anymore, positive representation is out there. It’s magical seeing all the beautiful souls across the world doing their thing and finding their groove. There’s a saying that “together we are stronger” and I 100% believe that.
There are organisations available to you, like Changing Faces, who offer mental and emotional support. Never shy away from that. It’s hard to take that first step towards help, but they can give you the tools you need to learn to love yourself.
Now we work alongside many organisations like Changing Faces to campaign for acceptance and celebrate difference. We travel the world, meeting incredible people and seeing wonderful things. And, importantly, we have become the representation that we needed, in the hope that others don’t feel the same way we did.
Little J, the words that we speak and the actions that we make vibrate across the world and, mate, they are felt.
Every day, I walk out the door as my beautiful authentic self with my head held high. I’m proud to say that I love my face and all its unique stamps that it has. It’s taken us a long time to get here, but the experiences we’ve had have led to amazing connections and friendships. There will be plenty of challenges, but you will overcome them, sometimes by yourself, with your own true grit and undying will, and other times from the support of another. You live a life full of adventure, you attract goodness and everyday it’ll become more ingrained in you that we have more in common with our neighbour than we realise.
Be kind – to others AND yourself!
Signed, your older self,
Jono
Christmas can be a tough time for people living with a visible difference, but your support can make sure no one faces it alone. Watch our Christmas campaign video featuring Jono.
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