‘Horrified’ Parents Abandon Newborn In Hospital But a Woman Steps In And Asks ‘When Can I Take Him?’

byViral Magz - 0

When Jono Lancaster was born, his parents decided not to bring him home from the hospital. He was diagnosed with Treacher Collins syndrome, a rare disorder that affects facial structure and hearing abilities. This diagnosis led them to believe they couldn’t love him, as the condition often requires numerous hospital visits and surgeries, something they were not willing to endure.

Tragically, Jono was abandoned just days after birth by the very people who were supposed to love him unconditionally.

In the following days, social services worked tirelessly to find a loving family for him. Fortunately, a kind and caring woman named Jean stepped into Jono's life. The moment she saw him, she knew he was meant to be with her. “How could you not love a child?” she said after hearing his story. Her next question was, “When can I take him home?”

Jono shared his life story for the first time at the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Breakthrough Summit in 2015, capturing the attention of many.

“I was born with a genetic condition that affects my facial features. I have no cheekbones, and so my eyes dip down,” he explained. “I love my little ears; they don’t get cold at night. But I do need hearing aids. I’m one of the lucky ones. More severely affected individuals need help with feeding and breathing. I’ve met kids who’ve had more than 70 surgeries to correct problems that would make their lives easier.”

Speaking about Jean, the woman who gave him a loving home, Jono says:

“Jean adopted me on May 18, 1990 – so I get two birthdays!” he said. “I used to tell other kids that my mom went to the hospital, looked at all the babies, and chose me, whereas their parents had been stuck with them.”

Jean tried multiple times to contact Jono’s birth parents, but they consistently responded that they wanted nothing to do with him, not even to meet him.

Throughout his life, Jono, now 36, faced bullying because of his appearance.

“When I became a teen, I began to think, why me? That snowballed into thinking about my birth parents. Parents are supposed to love you no matter what, even if you rob a bank. How would I ever have a family? Who will want me?” he said. “I started to hate my face. I became aggravated at not being able to change the way I looked. I avoided looking at my reflection, even in windows walking down the street. I was ashamed of the way I looked.”

But then something happened that helped him regain his self-confidence.

While working as a bartender, people often stared at him and commented on his appearance. One day, a tough-looking customer with “muscles on top of muscles” came in. No one wanted to serve him, but Jono stepped in. “Before you get my drink, I have a question. What’s up with your face?” the man asked.

“I was born with Treacher Collins syndrome.” The man responded with “all right.” Then Jono added, “I’m deaf,” and showed him his hearing aids. “Do they come with an off switch?” the man asked. “Damn, you’re lucky. I have a wife, and all she does is talk 24/7. To be able to switch her yakking off…”

For the first time in a while, someone laughed with Jono instead of at him. That moment reminded him to “focus on the good.”

Today, he has a partner and works as a motivational speaker. Jono spends time with young children who have the same syndrome, helping them accept themselves as they are.

“So what’s changed?” he said. “People are still the same. My parents still want nothing to do with me. What’s changed is my attitude, and that’s so powerful. Instead of allowing negative energy to bring me down, I believe in myself. I wouldn’t change any of it. My attitude was more disabling than anything. With the right attitude, you can achieve anything.”

We are so glad this man learned how to love himself for who he is.

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