Hello :)
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I'm sure a few of you are aware of a tv show which graced your screens tonight, sensitively called Beauty and the Beast : The Ugly Side Of Prejudice.
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The programme focuses on 2 kinds of people, one with a facial disfigurement and one person who is 'normal' and has quite a superficial view on beauty. Cameras will track the pair as they venture around London together.
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So, why am i telling you about this? Well the reason being is that i have a facial disfigurement myself, and to be honest i don't know how i feel about the documentry. For one, the title is quite offensive, 'Beauty and the Beast' seriously?! I know they Channel 4 named it this to gain attention and exposure but i think its very insensitive, what message does that give out to the public about people who look different, that we are 'Beasts' . . . . strange
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On the otherhand i think its good that Channel 4 are exploring the topic of facial disfigurements and bringing quite a shyly talked about subject into the public domain.
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My story . . . .
When i was born i had a birthmark around the size of an orange on the side of my cheek, the doctors removed the birthmark but in the process unfortunately they removed my nerves/muscles in my cheek aswell. Resulting in me not being able to use the muscles on the right side of my face. This means i can't smile properly, raise my right eyebrow or waggle my ear (as if i'd want to ;)) I've had 5 operations trying to move muscles from my legs and arms into my face in an attempt to make the muscles to work again, but unfortunately nothing has worked!
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I've had people say things about my face to me, my personal favourite being 'Have you got a tooth/face absess?' they said this as my face is slightly droopy/swollen on the right.
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So i'm left with a not so symetricall face, some days it gets me down and knocks my confidence but there are always people who are worse off than me, so why should i complain! We're not all perfect, right?!
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Call me cringy but i think beauty comes in all shapes and sizes, and no one is a 'Beast' as Channel4 nicely put it . . .
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I'd love to hear your views on this topic, did you watch Beauty and the Beast? What did you think about it?
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Since i posted a FOTD last month i've had a few Formspring questions/emails about my disfigurement, if you'd like to ask me a question about it then feel free to do so;
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Thanks for reading,
Felicity
i haven't seen it yet, i shall make sure i watch it soon though. I do think it's unfairly named though, nice on Channel 4! xxx
ReplyDeleteloved this post!
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen this program but I will watch it on 4OD. I agree that the title is offensive. I remember a similar documentary on BBCThree which I think was far more tasteful (I think it was called Love Me, Love my face). It had me in tears that people could be so cruel. I think more awareness is needed. I also think you are are very brave to have had 5 operations xx
ReplyDeleteFantastic post! Not really on the same scale but I had really bad acne in my second year at university and people don't always realise how much some comments hurt- it can really affect your self-esteem. You are inspiring and gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteBec xx
Hey Felicity! You wrote a comment on my post and I've just read yours.
ReplyDeleteI do see where your coming from about the title. Someone who has been through such things like yourself may take some offence to it. I do believe that everyone is beautiful in there own way, not just for looks, there are certain qualities in people that we love/hate. If everyone was the same life would be so bland and boring. Your such a trooper for going through those 5 operations xoxo
I don't think you should take the title literal. In the first episode they showed a woman with a facial disfigurement. She said: 'Beauty comes in many forms. As do beasts.' 'Beasts' in this context doesn't refer to those who are supposedly unattractive, but to those who think and feel they are.
ReplyDelete