Blog 104 - My Interview on Channel Nine

I was contacted by Julie Cross, a journalist living in Sydney, who asked could she interview me and my daughter Melissa, about living with a craniofacial syndrome. This was related to the movie Wonder which is out in cinemas and creating a lot of interest in people living with facial differences. One of my friends, Olivia, had just done an interview with Channel Seven and it was tasteful and respectful, so I agreed, though with caution. Why was I cautious? Because I've had bad experiences with the media in the past. Now I must say that the awful experiences were ten years ago and were magazines, who wanted to exploit us for their own publicity. I have been in the local newspaper on numerous occasions since, and on Channel Nine, and all was fine.

I did tell Julie my concerns and asked that she be respectful, which she was. She stated the facts and what myself and Melissa said.

Click on this link to go to the article:

9news.com.au Interview 

I have outlined some experiences from my past, and my children's operations in the early days of this blog, so I won't go back over them now. But I must say we are fortunate to be living in Australia where surgeons are expert at helping people born with craniofacial syndromes. And we have a free public health system so all children are able to access the health services they need.

I am conscious that this is not so in many countries around the world.

Even though adults and kids are often mean to people living with facial differences, as my daughter has alluded to in the Channel Nine interview, I believe that today's society is more compassionate and respectful. My children have generally been more accepted than I was and have not suffered the same degree of bullying that I did. There is obviously still more to be done, but there always needs to be more done for people living with disabilities or any type of difference.

When I was growing up Graham Kennedy, a renowned Australian comedian and entertainer, was my role model; the only person I knew who had my syndrome, and I would watch him every night on Blankety Blanks so I could see someone else a little like me.  I was also told that Marty Feldman, an English comedian, had Crouzons as well.

It wasn't until the movie Mask came out in 1985 starring Cher, that there seemed to be something with substance to watch. This movie created awareness and Cher became the patron of the Dallas Craniofacial Unit. and is currently the national spokesperson for the Children's Craniofacial Association.The movie Wonder will also make a chink in the wall of the current barriers and ignorance.

If you liked Wonder, then I have an Australian version aimed at teenagers. I would love support for my book. See below for the Kids Book Review review.

Kids Book Review - Ride High Pineapple

Ride High Pineapple is available from me, my website and from many online bookstores.
See my website for more details:

Jenny Woolsey Author Website - Ride High Pineapple Details