A baby boy who was abandoned by his biological parents because of his appearance was then taken in by a kind woman. She had been contacted by the Social Services and after she saw the baby, she asked, “When can I take him home?”
Parents are known for loving their kids unconditionally, but this doesn’t hold true for this baby. He was abandoned by his parents only 36 hours after his birth because of health issues.
The tiny fragile baby boy named Jono Lancaster was left all alone, without the love and protection of his parents. Jono Lancaster told NORD Breakthrough Summit:
“I was born with a genetic condition that affects my facial features. I have no cheekbones, and so my eyes dip down. I love my little ears, they don’t get cold at night. But I do need hearing aids.”
Lancaster was born with a genetic disorder called Treacher Collins syndrome or TCS. This disease can affect around 1 in 10,000 people in the U.K, his home country and 1 in every 50,000 people in the U.S.
TCS can impact the development of facial bone tissues, jaws, cheekbones, and chin. About half of the people suffering from this disorder have a hearing impairment, including Lancaster, who was born in 1985.
The hospital staff then contacted Social Services, who found a considerate woman named Jean to look after him. When the woman first saw Lancaster, she didn’t leave him or get scared. She asked the nurse: “When can I take him home?” instead.
It was then that Lancaster finally found a mother’s warm embrace. Jean began looking after Lancaster, giving him the care, love, and support Finally, on May 18, 1990, Jean officially adopted him.
This woman even tried reaching out to his parents for 5 consecutive years but she never heard from them. Growing up, the only place where Lancaster felt loved was his home and his mom’s presence. The outside world was harsh and c.r.u.e.l to him.
Lancaster grew up while hating himself with all his heart. He avoided seeing himself in the mirror because of the fact that his reflection scared him. He was ashamed of his appearance and finally he began understanding why he creeped out everyone.
This continued until he reached his twenties. Lancaster was laughed at wherever he went. Then one night, Lancaster was in a bar where he met a man surprisingly joking and laughing with him instead of laughing at him. It was then that Lancaster’s perspective shifted.
Gradually, he changed the way to look at things. In 2015, he met his partner, Laura, in the gym while he was working as a fitness trainer. Both worked together on spreading positivity and smiles around them.
Sadly, Lancaster’s parents still didn’t want to do anything with him. Regardless, he decided to keep going and began focusing on his ambitions, dreams, and goals. Ultimately, he became much more than a guy with TCS.
Since then, he has focused on raising awareness and helping people who suffer from various disabilities. Instead of changing people’s thoughts about him, Lancaster started to work on himself.
For more than twenty years, he suffered because of the way people made fun of him and avoided him. But thanks to the support of his loved ones, Lancaster slowly shifted his mindset and realized that his inner worth and potential.
Source: news.amomama.com, parentingisnteasy.co
