Jono Lancaster came into the world like any newborn, not knowing how his life was going to turn out. But unlike any other newborn Jono was different, different enough for his parents to abandon him 36 hours after he was born.
Born with a condition known as Treacher Collins Syndrome, or TCS, Jono's face was disfigured at birth. According to Genetics Home Reference, TCS is a disorder that effects the development of bones and other tissues, and occurs in about 1 in 50,000 births. The syndrome is damaging to one's physical appearance, but has no inherent effect on one's mental developmenet.
The sad truth, however, is that Jono harbored a lot of resentment towards his parents and his condition, leading him to be depressed as a child. But eventually he realized that he could turn his problem into a gift he could share with the world. Jono now travels the world, spreading awareness about TCS and meeting with children who have the condition. He hopes to make the world a brighter place for everyone, and has even found a new family where he feels right at home.