A cute yet powerful video is bringing awareness to people with facial differences, and that it's not something to fear.
A Canadian organization called About Face released a children's video that is reaching past its intended audience.
"It's an incredible organization that works with individuals and families that have facial differences," says Chelsey Peat, a board member of About Face Canada. "Whether they are acquired through birth or something as a result of a condition, they help babies up to adults, work on eliminating the stigma we encounter looking the way we do."
Peat was born with Sturge Weber Syndrome which not only includes a large port-wine stain on half of her face but comes with neurological difficulties as well.
"It differs from a regular birthmark as it doesn't just sit on the surface of the skin but goes far beneath. For example, I have glaucoma in my left eye and as a baby, I had some problems and ended up having brain surgery."
Peat shares that she is one of the 'lucky ones' as she is happily married with two daughters. Her family lives in Lethbridge, Alberta.
"I still have to daily deal with issues that come about looking different with my birthmark. Thankfully in the past three years, I've been able to connect with About Face and they've been a blessing. They are working on advocacy and it was things I was working on personally myself, about facial birthmarks, acceptance, and equality."
Bringing Awareness Through Story
About Face has created a short video showcasing facial differences by telling the story of a girl named Frankie who has a birthmark.
"We want to start that education process," says Peat. About Face is hoping to get the video into schools across Canada, to show it to kids from kindergarten to grade six. "I was reliving moments of my school hood when I was watching it and thinking I wished it had been that simple. If we can let kids see that, guess what something is different but it is so beautiful because it's different."
Jordan and Heather St.Cyr from Niverville, Manitoba, were overjoyed seeing the video recently on social media. Their fourth and youngest child, Emery, was born with Sturge Weber Syndrome.
"All the feelings came rushing to us when she was born," says Heather. "There is the joy of this new baby, and then all the questions like what is Sturge Weber? Are we going to be living in the hospital? Is she going to be made fun of? How are we going to protect her?"
As with Peat, when Heather saw the video, it brought tears to her eyes.
"I ugly cried. I've watched it a few times because I think you miss the magic the first time. My first thoughts were that someone had taken the time to advocate for someone who looks like our daughter. It's so beautiful."
While the St.Cyrs have heard their share of negative comments about their daughter's appearance, Heather had a life-changing 10 second moment with a stranger in an elevator, showcasing the power of kindness.
"Jordan and I had taken the family to the mall. We were heading up to the second floor. I took Emery in her stroller in the elevator. There was a man with me in the elevator, who was in his 50s and he was glancing down at Emery. I made a judgement that this man is looking at my baby, he's going to say something and this is going to be a tough elevator ride."
Without knowing it, Heather was about to be pleasantly surprised.
"As soon as the door closed, he just said 'Wow! Look at God's artwork on her face. How beautiful.' Tears streamed down my face and I thought, this person understands. It came from a higher place because those words hit so deep. I'll never forget that moment."
About Face and parents like the St.Cyrs hope videos like Frankie & Pearl bring awareness that different can be good.