Late-term abortions of fetuses with clefts Some Members of Parliament in the UK have called for a review of abortion laws since recent data show many more mothers than realized ask that their cleft fetuses be aborted. According to a committee of MPs and peers, evidence suggests "many pregnancies are being terminated up until full term simply because of cosmetic flaws." Mothers and doctors are engaging in "discrimination" according to some. I'd second this: sounds like "facial … [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...]
Standing up to Looksism and Gay Bashing
Eleven-year-old Caine Smith was choked, beaten, harassed, and was called a long list of names simply because he had two moms and long hair. Instead of staying locked away and hiding, he stood up and did something about it. Thanks to my friend Sabine Hathaway for alerting me to this great Upworthy video. … [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...]
And still more Reverse Looksism?
Am I sensing a turnaround? Is the race beginning to go to the Plain Janes and Sorry Sams rather than the Perfect 10s? It would seem so judging from yet another media story about a 10, Alicia Silverstone, losing a role back in the 1990s because she was ‘too pretty’ for ‘My So-Called Life.’ According to The New Yorker, co-creators of the highly regarded TV series---that dared to deal with child abuse, homophobia, teenage alcoholism, homelessness, school violence, and drug use---argued over … [Read more...]
Incredible Athletes who’ve Overcome Birth Defects & Disabilities
Next time you want to veg out on that couch, think of the incredible athletes who've overcome birth defects (e.g., cerebral palsy, spina bifida, fibular hemimelia) and acquired disabilities (e.g.,cancer, war injuries, auto accidents). For info on a dozen or so disabled athletes--including Paralympic gold medalist Tatyanna McFadden and major league pitcher Jim Abbott, pictured here-- see … [Read more...]
Reverse looksism?
Over the years, I've been subject to facial discrimination, a term I coined a while back. (Much of this discrimination occurred while I was growing up, and it's laid out in Cleft Heart: Chasing Normal.) For this reason, I hope to initiate discussions of looksism on this site from time to time. Looksism part of the Celebrity Culture we live in. The recent flap over the dental assistant who has twice lost court battles in Iowa over being fired for being "irresistable," reminded me of Katherine … [Read more...]