Joseph Williams of Chicago was born with the orofacial facial syndrome, which meant he didn’t have a jaw.
The 41-year-old had a difficult start in life, dealing with bullying and low self-esteem, but he was determined to persevere.
“Being born without a jaw surprised my mother,” he stated.
“I was a twin, but the other child died before we were born.” I was brought from Illinois, where I was born, to Chicago for various operations when I was only a few days old.
“I had a bone and skin graft as they tried to construct a jaw for me, but as I grew my body rejected it and it was unsuccessful.”
“And I was also put up for adoption which led to me meeting my adopted family.”
While growing up was ‘hard’ and having the condition has caused Williams many problems, he’s trying not to let it phase him.
Still, his condition also mean that he has to blend his food and put it through a tube connected to his stomach.
“I have a trachea in my neck that helps me breathe,” he explained. “And when I was two years old, I was taught sign language to help me communicate.”
“However, since then, I’ve discovered new methods of communication, such as taking notes and typing into my phone.”
Williams has learned to completely embrace himself as he has gotten older and does not want to feel ‘restricted’ by his condition: “I recognize that I am unique and that some people may reject me because they believe I am unattractive, but I am still a person with a heart, feelings, and a brain.”
“I, like everyone else, deserve to be treated with dignity.”
“I’d rather people just come up to me and ask me questions, rather than staring or pointing.”
Williams recently discovered love and respect with Vania, whom he met at work; they were friends first and then fell in love, marrying in 2020.
“People probably wouldn’t have expected me to marry. To be honest, I didn’t expect to either, “He said.
“Being born without a jaw has given me a distinct perspective on life and shaped who I am now.”
Here are some pictures of him.
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