Written by: Wesley Sanders, Outreach Coordinator
Face Equality Forum and Face Equality Week
As someone born with a facial difference, the fight for face equality holds a deeply personal and meaningful place in my life. The Face Equality International Forum is in three weeks, and it's a chance to delve into why this event and the celebration of Face Equality Week are so invaluable.
Last year's Face Equality International Forum in Toronto included a Meta (Facebook) speaker, new advocates, and inspiring leaders in the face equality movement. One such leader, Sora, shared her story of workplace discrimination in preparation for her presentation to the United Nations about human rights for persons with facial differences. This year, the FEI forum is in Bristol, England, and promises to be a 5-day conference packed with information and advocacy to elevate people's voices and ignite change in how people with facial differences are portrayed in the media and treated in work, school, and in everyday life,
From engaging speakers to interactive workshops, the Face Equality International Forum is designed to empower and motivate. It's an opportunity for everyone to walk away with a renewed sense of purpose, ready to produce change and stop stigmas against those with a facial difference.
This past week, I traveled to Chattanooga, Tennessee, as the Outreach Coordinator for FACES to help celebrate Face Equality Week. This year, the theme is # My Face Is A Masterpiece. FACES held two Paint n' Sip workshops, during which I discussed the theme and the importance of facial equality. The event proceeds benefited FACES: The National Craniofacial Association programs to help finance medical travel to specialized surgery centers.
I look forward to furthering my advocacy journey and playing a role in change!
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