Inspiring Futures: AboutFace Scholarship Program

I have always been a bit of a different person. When I was in Elementary school, my family lived in a small town in Saskatchewan. When other kids were going to hockey practice I was going to theatre class. When other kids were watching TSN, I was practicing violin. The biggest difference between my school acquaintances and I was the fact that I was born with a cleft lip and palate. From about grade two to grade seven I was bullied continuously because of my slight facial difference. There are two things that got me through that time in my life: theatre, and the access I had to AboutFace. Both of these things gave me the message that I was not alone. When I was born my mom became a member of AboutFace. The access to newsletters and the website gave me hop. All of the inspiring stories and exposure to the lives of other kids with facial differences showed me that there were many people out in the world who looked like I do. The information was also a huge inspiration for me when I was in and out of the hospital for surgeries, and I know it helped my parents get through it too.

Later on in my elementary school life when the bullying had reached a peak, my mom gave a presentation to my entire class about facial differences and why it was not acceptable to make fun of somebody because of it. AboutFace was a big inspiration to her and she used several of the newsletters and materials from the website to present to the class. After she did that, my entire school life changed dramatically. The education that my classmates got was invaluable and made my school life a lot easier. I don’t know where I would be without that presentation.

Theatre, the other lifesaver, has had a profound effect on me. Performing in the theatre has been a difficult, taxing, satisfying endeavor. I love performing but it took me a long time to get over my fear of having people see my cleft lip and palate on stage. When I finally got over it, it was very liberating. I perform all over the city now in improve shows, musicals, and plays. Theatre has taught me to face my fears and has given me some of the best experiences of my life. Recently I began teaching it through the Conservatory of Performing Arts in Regina. This opportunity has let me give other kids the same freedom I had to get up in front of people and who them who you are. My favourite moment was having two kids who had been in and out of the foster system perform a rap, which they had written about their experiences in life. One of them described that it was “so cool” to be able to express their frustrations and hopes through art. I totally connected with how they felt.

Next year I plan to begin a theatre career by taking fine arts classes at the University of Regina. I could not be more excited. I would not be embarking on this career if it hadn’t have been for the confidence and support that AboutFace has given me over the years. Stephen Sondheim wrote: “Believe me, no one is alone.” AboutFace has shown me that is true.

Written by: Ruaridh