hospital visits and probably surgeries, and they weren\u2019t willing to go through such an experience.\n\n\n\n

Sadly, Jono was just a few days old when he was forever abandoned by those who were supposed to love him unconditionally.\n\n\n\n

In the days that followed, social services did all in their power to find a suitable family for him. Luckily, an angel in the form of a loving and caring woman named Jean crossed paths with Jono. The moment she laid eyes on him, she knew he belonged with her. \u201cHow could you not love a child?\u201d she said after hearing his story. \u201cWhen can I take him home?\u201d was the next question she asked.
\n\n\n\n

Jono first shared his life story with the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Breakthrough Summit back in 2015 and gathered the attention of many.\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was born with a genetic condition that affects my facial features. I have no cheekbones, and so my eyes dip down,\u201d he said. \u201cI love my little ears, they don\u2019t get cold at night. But I do need hearing aids. I\u2019m one of the lucky ones. More severely affected individuals need help with feeding and breathing. I met some kids who\u2019ve had more than 70 surgeries to correct problems that would make their lives easier.\u201d $\"Ezoic\"$ \n\n\n\n

Speaking of Jene, the woman who provided him with a loving home, Jono says:\n\n\n\n

\u201cJean adopted me on May 18, 1990 \u2013 so I get two birthdays!\u201d he said. \u201cI used to tell other kids that my mom went to the hospital and she looked at all the babies and she chose me, whereas their parents had been stuck with them.\u201d $\"Ezoic\"$ \n\n\n\n

Jean tried to get in touch with Jono\u2019s birth parents multiple times, but each attempt ended with the same response from their side; they didn\u2019t want to have anything with him, not even meet him.\n\n\n\n

Most of his life, Jono, who is now 36, experienced every form of bullying because of his looks.\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen I became a teen, I began to think, why me? That snowballed into thinking about my birth parents. Parents are supposed to love you no matter what, even if you rob a bank. How would I ever have a family? Who will want me?\u201d he said. \u201cI started to hate my face. I became aggravated at not being able to change the way I looked. I avoided looking at my reflection, even in windows walking down the street. I was ashamed of the way I looked.\u201d $\"Ezoic\"$ \n\n\n\n

But then something happened that helped him regain his self-confidence.\n\n\n\n

While he worked as a bartender, everyone stared at him and commented on the way he looked. But one day, a \u2018skinhead\u2019 customer who appeared fierce and had \u2018muscles on top of muscles\u2018 entered the place. No one wanted to serve him, but then Jono stepped in. \u201cBefore you get my drink, I have a question. What\u2019s up with your face?\u201d the man said.\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was born with Treacher Collins syndrome.\u201d The man responded with \u201call right.\u201d Then Jono added, \u201cI\u2019m deaf,\u201d and showed him his hearing aids. \u201cDo they come with an off switch?\u201d the man asked. \u201cDamn, you\u2019re lucky. I have a wife and all she does is talk 24\/7, and to be able to switch her yakking off\u2026\u201d \n\n\n\n

For the first time in a while, someone laughed with Jono instead at him. That reminded him that he needed to \u201cfocus on the good.\u201d $\"Ezoic\"$ \n\n\n\n

Today, he has a partner and works as a motivational speaker. Jono makes sure he spends time with young children who have the same syndrome as him and helps them accept themselves the way they are.\n\n\n\n

\u201cSo what\u2019s changed?\u201d he said. \u201cPeople are still the same. My parents still want nothing to do with me. What\u2019s changed is my attitude, and that\u2019s so powerful. Instead of allowing negative energy to bring me down, I believe in myself. I wouldn\u2019t change any of it. My attitude was more disabling than anything. With the right attitude, you can achieve anything.\u201d\n\n\n\n

We are so glad this man learned how to love himself for who he is. $\"Ezoic\"$ \n\n\n\n