I was born with the right part of my face weighing down heavily; my father was facing a prison sentence for a murder. Scarred by my facial disfigurement and my father’s conviction everyone around me looked down on me. I faced discrimination and unfair treatment, especially at school hence I dropped out of school and went looking for a job. After many failed attempts, one baker was willing to take me in for packing and sealing of confectionaries not at the counter but behind the shop at the storage and packaging unit. It hurt, but I was grateful to find that one person in his world who was willing to employ me. I toiled day and night even did overtime to learn the craft and create an identity for myself. Throughout the day the other workers gave me those looks but since I faced it all my life, it did not matter much now. It was then someone suggested JK Foundation and that they work to help Prisoners and their families. I approached them and they came to my help. First they took up my case by arranging a press meet where my plight and request was recorded by the media. Just after the Press meet the friendly JK Foundation team put me through some questions that I will never forget in my life –  What I was doing. Why did I need to go through the pain? Why go through all this to make “normal” people like me and accept me? Why hide when I have friends like Jason of the JK Foundation team who adore me, for me. My District Collector intervened in my case and ever since the local authorities arranged to help me.

People are naturally curious about my condition, and I welcome the chance to answer their questions.  I just ask to be treated with respect, like anyone else.

“I just want to live my life, go out, go to work, like everybody else. There’s a person behind this face.” Ganesh

Living with a face that looks different can be a challenge both for children and adults. Recently I have begun to connect with other children and adults with facial differences through JK Foundation and it’s incredible hearing their stories and knowing I’m part of a wider community. Now I say that my birthmark was really my first tattoo that fate designed for me. It’s unique – just like a fingerprint.

JK Foundation found that among the general public, 1 person out of 8 has also experienced negative treatment because of appearance. Judging people by how they look is prevalent in our society, that’s why we feel that Face Equality is a basic right. By promoting Face Equality, we not only hope to improve the status of people with facial disfigurement, but we also hope to create a friendlier environment, more equal and more respectful of diversity.”