For new posts, scroll down. You’ve come to the right place to learn about faces, especially ones that stand out in a crowd—the good, the bad, and the "ugly." Together we'll learn and share insights—via blogs, guest blogs, comments, and even painted portraits—about the social and psychological aspects of living with "facial differences" in a world that emphasizes looks. What you bring to the discussion: a lifetime of experience looking at and reacting to faces a willingness to be … [Read more...]
Characters during last part of Cleft Heart
SPOILER ALERT: You know the drill. The last of four Cleft Heart collages showcases key characters toward the end of the book. Top row from left: Ellen Nettle on SS Indochine. Janice Seldine and friend. Ellen and I in Singapore. Second row: Sketching at demonstration. Laura at Gayle's wedding. My wrist band for facial surgery. Bottom: Wedding day. Lincoln Memorial Rally 1967. Marching on the Pentagon. Simplified diagram of nasal cartilage manipulated during surgery. … [Read more...]
A Photographic Who’s Who, part way into Cleft Heart
SPOILER ALERT : If you enjoy fantasizing how characters look in books or want to be surprised on every page, then don’t look at these photos until you’ve finished reading the second quarter of the book. Cleft Heart protagonist with sibs and friends. This photo collage shows me growing up and with my siblings and a few friends from my youth. Stay tuned for more collages in future blogs. … [Read more...]
Live, Love, and Laugh with Author of Cleft Heart
A baby announcement: Born today, October 15 A ruddy-looking, one pound, three ounce . . . book. Midwife - Wayman Publishing Since my two kids aren’t even married yet, Cleft Heart: Chasing Normal is the closest thing to a grandchild I’ll be seeing for a while. You can catch a glimpse of the Schonborn newborn at: AMAZON copy n paste to browser … [Read more...]
Deformity, Heroes, Repulsion, and Love
It may startle some, but people in a few countries still banish cleft lip and palate kids to back rooms due to beliefs, like those espoused in the Old Testament, that clefts have been touched by Satan and made imperfect and impure. Even in more recent times, great writers have promulgated backward beliefs regarding deformities. Shakespeare’s ruthless protagonist in Richard III, for example, convinced audiences for centuries that Satan had touched deformed people. A while ago I came across … [Read more...]
Cleft Heart Speaking Engagements Announced by Anti-bully Warrior
As visitors to the Cleft Heart FB Page know, I'm Karl Schonborn's dog, Monte, also known as the Anti-Bully Warrior. Get to know me by watching me for a few seconds below and visiting https://www.facebook.com/CleftHeartChasingNormal. Here are the exciting new bookings for Karl Schonborn: October 19 (Saturday), 2012 Talk re bullying, signing 3 pm--5pm Barnes & Noble 1149 S Main St. Walnut Creek, CA 925 947-0373 Free parking under store, enter via Olympic Blvd. October … [Read more...]
If anyone you know has a broken heart, especially a child . . .
Congenital heart defects Each year 35,000 babies come into the world with congenital heart defects (CHD). The National Institutes of Health reports CHDs are responsible for more deaths in the first year of life than any other birth defects. Over a million Americans alive today were born with heart defects. If immediate family members are counted, that means five million people have been affected by CHDs. Also, each year 1.3 million people suffer heart attacks. About 30 million Americans have … [Read more...]