I’m Paige and I was born with a cleft lip, leading to multiple lip and nose surgeries during my life.
I’ve always faced self-confidence issues because of my visible difference. It’s hard not to compare yourself to others, especially with the media constantly telling us what we should aspire to look like. I also have cerebral palsy, so my cleft was an additional “hurdle” for me, in a world that often doesn’t cater for physical disabilities and difference.
Over the years, I’ve experienced stares and comments due to having a deviated septum, and the scars I have from my surgeries. I did used to get upset about this, and while I’m able to handle people’s reactions better now I’m older, it does still hurt.
Paige as a child
I have learnt to deal with any comments I receive by educating people on why I look different. The more people understand, the more accepting they are. This is why it’s so vital that visible differences are spoken about more widely, so that we no longer have to do the educating and can simply live our lives like everyone else without worrying about other’s reactions.
To help my confidence, I have had surgeries to change my appearance cosmetically. Nobody should have to feel that they need to alter the way they look to be accepted by society, but for me, it has enabled me to boost my self-esteem. Growing older has also helped with this. I now understand that everyone is unique and has their own little quirks, and that’s what makes them amazing. I hope we can reach a place where everyone has this view.
I believe that sharing your story is incredibly important when it comes to self-acceptance.
I’m so proud that I’ve been able to continue to live my life despite my difficulties, never letting anything stop me from doing what I want to do. I mentioned having a cleft is not my only difference, I also have cerebral palsy, so there have been a range of challenges I’ve had to overcome to get where I am today. I do modelling on occasion – the agency I work with champions people with differences – which has been a brilliant experience. It’s great to know that I’m part of the positive representation movement.
I believe that sharing your story is incredibly important when it comes to self-acceptance. Not just for yourself but for others with visible differences. As a child, I really could’ve done with someone telling me it was going to be okay, and that I was beautiful, regardless of my differences.
We’re a diverse community, and the more we can support each other, the quicker we can make positive change happen.
