Let's Face It

QUOTATIONS

In the original Let's Face It web site, Betsy Wilson had selected a number of quotations that were either inspirational or commented profoundly on the lives of persons with facial differences and those who love and care for them. These were sometimes embedded into the discussion on the pages, but usually were located in the blue bar on the right side of the screen. The new design for the site no longer has that right-hand bar, however we wanted to preserve those thoughts and insights that Betsy felt were important, and hope to gradually enrich this collection with some of our own found treasures. To this end, you will find here a collection of quotations recommended by Betsy and by others.

"To support a person with facial difference, look them in the eyes and smile at them."
-- Betsy Wilson

"There is little in your life that you need to do that you can't do better if you're peaceful."
-- Betsy Wilson

"Underneath my disfigured face I am a normal person and I have a tough time talking about it. I think the fact that we cannot talk about it (facial disfigurement) often denies us the opportunity to be 'normal.' Just talking to another disfigured person has helped me a lot."
-- Anonymous. Friend of Let's Face It

"We learned that there is nothing more important you can do for a child than loving, caring, and supporting them."
-- Anonymous. From a letter to the editor of the National Fathers Network.

"Perhaps most importantly, I learned that my son was more like other babies than unlike them."
-- Charkins, Hope. Children with Facial Difference, A Parent's Guide. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, (c)1996, p.49.

"As any parent of a child born with a facial difference knows, life can be a challenge. Socially, financially, and emotionally. There are turns and twists in the road that none of us expected to encounter when we dreamed of becoming parents. But somehow, through it all, we survive... We adapt and we become the parents our children need. And through the process, most of us become more complete and more compassionate human beings."
-- Chris Fradkin, father of a child with hemifacial microsomia

"From the time of diagnosis on, knowledge can help you let go of worry and focus on living."
-- Harpham, Wendy Schlessel. Happiness is a Storm, Facing Illness and Embracing Life as a Healthy Survivor. W. W. Norton, (reprint) 2006, p. 92.

"Beneath everyone's skin are the same hard bones."
-- Lester, Julius; Barbour, Karen, ill. Let's Talk About Race. Amistad; (c)2005.

"I have finally realized that parenting a child with special needs is not about the readjustment of my dreams but about the journey and joy in discovering his."
-- From an article in the "Partnerships" newsletter, written by Rachel Lustiger whose son has Asperger Syndrome.

"Men, including myself, have a hard time facing things they can't fix. We can't simply work harder to fix it ... we must deal with our powerlessness."
-- Naseef, Robert A. Special Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles and Rewards of Raising a Child with a Disability. Brookes Publishing Company, (c)2001.

"Once we truly know that life is difficult -- once we truly understand and accept it -- then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, it no longer matters."
-- M. Scott Peck, M.D.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Those who love me, love me
with or without hair
with or without energy,
with or without extra pounds,
with or without body parts,
The others do not matter.